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Outdoor Adventure Guide
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This River town retreat is just minutes away from Interstate National Park, the Gandy Dancer Trail and Trollhaugen Outdoor Recreation offering all sorts of summer fun- canoeing, kayaking, hiking, fishing and camping. At the end of the day you can grab a bite to eat at one of our great pubs or restaurants and then settle into a cozy Bed & Breakfast for the night.
St Croix River
The St Croix River is one of the most popular and scenic paddling rivers in the Upper Midwest. Paddlers will find a wild and beautiful river with lush, forested banks that include stands of white pine and mixed forest of birch, maple, oak, aspen and basswood. Great blue heron, whitetail deer, and king fisher can be spotted along the shoreline along with eagles in the tree tops. Float, paddle and relax as the sun sparkles on the water and the beauty of the St Croix surrounds you with plenty of solitude. You can enjoy a quiet afternoon trip or a multi-day excursion with a several riverside campsites.
Hiking
The hills and valleys are laced with hundreds of miles of hiking trails in Western Wisconsin. The Osceola area offers something for all skill fitness levels -from a leisurely walk among the wildflowers to a back country climb up a rocky outcropping.
You can start right out from downtown Osceola and hike up to Eagle Bluff, head to the St. Croix River or drive to miles of trails in Standing Cedars and disappear into the countryside. Find diverse forestlands, climb to a breathtaking view or pull off your boots and cool your feet in streams along the trails. The waterfalls and Osceola creek right in town rush, gurgle and roar. Our Polk County Visitor center is stocked with maps and information, like this one from the National Park Service. Or start here with a few favorites.
You can start right out from downtown Osceola and hike up to Eagle Bluff, head to the St. Croix River or drive to miles of trails in Standing Cedars and disappear into the countryside. Find diverse forestlands, climb to a breathtaking view or pull off your boots and cool your feet in streams along the trails. The waterfalls and Osceola creek right in town rush, gurgle and roar. Our Polk County Visitor center is stocked with maps and information, like this one from the National Park Service. Or start here with a few favorites.
Bicycling
Bring your bike and head out for a great ride on the 14 mile Stower Seven Lakes Trail or the 47 mile Gandy Dancer Trail. For a shorter route, ride out to nearby Rustic Road S and get on the Osceola Loop
for a ride along the woods and trap rock outcroppings. For a countryside ride, discover River Road with
organic farms and acres of restored prairies teaming with birds and butterflies
along the road. You’ll
likely see wild turkeys, a herd of wild deer or occasionally even sand hill cranes.
Birdwatching
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More than 200 species of birds have been spotted in the Osceola area, and at least half that many are known to nest in the area. Whether you take a woodland or prairie walk on an easy trail or head out for some country hiking, listen and keep your eyes open for everything from songbirds to screech owls to eagles. Every elevation in the treetops and valleys along the river holds distinct bird habitats and many birds make Osceola a stop on their yearly waterway migrations through the valley.
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Zipline and Adventure Park
Experience your adventure with one of the funnest outdoor parks you’ll find anywhere in the midwest. If you've been waiting to try ziplining or are ready to go again, Trollhaugen can hook you up to a super fun thrill ride and an adventure filled playground all in one. Fly through the forest by the seat of your pants at 40 miles an hour and hang from the tree tops. The aerial challenge course is an extremely fun experience offering 7 different circuits and 5 levels of difficulty starting with a Kids 13 element Challenge Course for ages 4-7.. [Orange (Kid's) | Yellow| Green | Blue | Black] - so everyone can enjoy a challenging outdoor adventure, Spring through Fall. The zip line tour offers 6 ziplines across multiple platforms, and also features a dual-zip for tandem thrills with a friend.
Camping
Head up into Interstate National Park, where you can pitch a tent and rough it for a few days. Some campgrounds accept reservations, but most are accessible first come, first served. For less rustic camping, the ARC year-round Camp and Retreat Center features large group camping, volleyball, swimming, hiking and picnic areas. Whether you're looking for a way to connect with nature or the river, your country escape begins in Osceola. The National Park Service has great information to help you plan your camping experience, start here.
Fishing,boating and swimming
Six major lakes within minutes of Osceola –Big Lake Chain, Cedar, Lotus, Horse & Sand Lake provide acres of water for boating, tubing, wakeboarding, fishing and swimming. Osceola Landing provides a beach for swimming and picnic areas for grilling.
Trollhaugen
Ski, snowboard or tube
Welcome to one of Osceola Areas best ski resorts. Using a combination of natural and man-made snow, Trollhaugen has eight slopes, from bunny hills for beginners to fast runs for serious skiers. Snowboarders, bring it on. A 10- lane snow tubing park in wintertime and cross country skiing trails. |
Snowmobiling
The Osceola Valley Sno-goers Club grooms 93 miles of snowmobile trails in the Osceola area. Polk County is home to over 350 miles of groomed snowmobile trails ranging from remote trails to the Gandy Dancer Trail. These trails offer winter beauty at its best as they pass through rolling hills, forests and farms. Osceola is a great stop for overnight as you will be welcomed in the local pubs, hotels and restaurants.