Friends of Wild River State Park
Friends Bring Out the Best In Wild River State Park
Wild River State Park is a gem. Winter is a time to snowshoe, walk or ski on 35 miles of groomed trails, see trumpeter swans over wintering on the St. Croix, and enjoy the tranquil quiet of the ravine setting punctuated only by the occasional chirp of a downy woodpecker or the happy conversation of chickadees. Spring brings home the warblers, indigo buntings, oven birds, flycatchers, hawks, ducks and eagles. Woodland flowers including the bloodroots, trout lilies, cowslips, lupines, trilliums and anemones bloom in abundance. Summer brings the lushness of green, and the autumn the maples, aspens, and oaks ablaze in spectacular.
The Friends of Wild River State Park are devoted to preserving, enhancing, and encouraging others to share in this incredible experience at Wild River State Park.
Spring: Seegwan, an Ojibwe word meaning "spring," names our annual celebration of spring. Seegwan, this year on May 19, is a day to delight in that spring is here, and new life is bursting out all over the Park. This year's 'Prairie' theme has something to offer for everyone; wildflower identification, birding, prairie planting and more. Seegwan is a special day at the park when you might just enjoy walking, hiking or biking the accessible park trails, canoeing the St. Croix, camping, or enjoying your first picnic of the season.
Funds raised from corporate sponsors and pledges secured by walkers enable our annual March for Parks to purchase benches for trail sides, equipment and support park programs.
Summer: Summer naturalist programs have been expanded thanks to the Friends support. Programs from prairies to pottery, reptiles to raptors and flint kidnapping to wildflowers offer something for everyone throughout the summer.
Winter: The Candlelight Ski is the Friends big winter event! Nearly three miles of trails lit with luminaries create an enchanted evening for skiing. Snowshoers and walkers can make the trek out to the giant bonfire, and horse drawn hayrides ferry folks back and forth between the Trail Center and the Interpretive Center. Friends encourage everyone to "tuck a buck" and stop for hot cider, cookies, and rest while watching a slide show featuring scenes from the park.
The Friends of Wild River State Park are an enthusiastic group of folks committed to this park. We are always excited to add to membership anyone who shares our passion for this wonderful park.
Contact Bill Carlson, Friends of Wild River at 763-689-1442.
If you would like to join or form a friends group, please contact the Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota at 1-800-944-0707.