Photo: Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
🌤 Weather at Kinnickinnic State Park by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20–68 °F | 54–82 °F | 24–71 °F | 4–27 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at River Falls, 0 mi away, elevation 940 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
🌲 Kinnickinnic State Park — A Wisconsin state park in Pierce County where the Kinnickinnic and St. Croix rivers meet, with a sandy delta, hiking trails and mountain bike trails.
Kinnickinnic State Park is in Pierce County, Wisconsin, at W11983 820th Ave. near River Falls. The park’s coordinates are 44.8500, -92.6167. Wisconsin DNR places the park where the St. Croix and Kinnickinnic rivers meet and describes two worlds in one: the quiet of the Kinnickinnic River Valley and the water-based recreation of the St. Croix River.
A large sandy delta sits at the junction of the rivers. The Kinnickinnic is a coldwater trout stream, and Wisconsin DNR designates the gorge and delta as a state natural area.
Up on the bluffs, unwooded parts of the upland are being restored to prairie plants, and trails run through hills, woods and prairies.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | W11983 820th Ave., River Falls, WI 54022 (Pierce County) |
| Hours | Wisconsin DNR lists the park as open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. year-round |
| Facilities | Picnic areas with tables and grills (the largest at the St. Croix overlook), a sandy swimming area on the St. Croix River with no lifeguard, hiking trails, mountain bike trails, a sledding hill |
| Camping | None listed by Wisconsin DNR for land camping; boaters can moor overnight on the Kinnickinnic delta with a registered mooring permit |
| Entrance fee | Vehicle admission pass required: $13 daily or $28 for 12 months with Wisconsin plates; $16 daily or $50 for 12 months with out-of-state plates (DNR rates effective Aug. 19, 2025). Overnight boat mooring fees apply to the delta. |
| Phone | (715) 425-1129 |
Things to Do
- Hike about 9.2 miles of trails, from the 0.1-mile Brown trail overlook to the 2.9-mile Red trail.
- Ride over 10 miles of single-track mountain bike trails, with green, blue and black options and a blue-rated bike playground near the trailhead off 770th Ave.
- Fish the St. Croix River from boat or shore, where Wisconsin DNR says walleyes are well known, or fish the Kinnickinnic River for brown trout.
- Swim at the sandy, buoy-marked area on the St. Croix River; no lifeguard is on duty.
- Bring a boat, canoe or kayak to the delta on the St. Croix River, or moor overnight there with a permit.
- Look for birds: Wisconsin DNR says 85 to 90 species may be seen on one day during spring migration, and bald eagles fish the open water in winter.
- In winter, ski classic or skate on the packed multi-use trails, snowshoe, or sled on the hill near the Brown Trail parking lot.
History
Wisconsin DNR says the land around the mouth of the Kinnickinnic River was identified as a potential park soon after the first state parks were established, but many decades passed before it became one. In the 1960s, as the Twin Cities metropolitan area expanded into western Wisconsin, local landowners set out to preserve the land.
Three families donated a total of 45 acres, and the Natural Resources Board established Kinnickinnic State Park in 1972. DNR credits volunteers with planting more than 20,000 trees, restoring about 50 acres of prairie and developing about 6.5 miles of hiking trails.
Visitor Tips
- Boaters who want to moor overnight on the beach or water must register and pay a mooring fee. Reserve a permit online or call 1-888-947-2757. You provide your own toilet facility, and generators are prohibited in all mooring areas.
- Off-road bicycling on the hiking trails is allowed on the Red Trail only; the mountain bike trailhead is south of the Kinnickinnic River, off 770th Ave.
- Winter trail rules differ: pets, hiking and snowshoeing are not allowed on the classic-only ski trails (Yellow, Green, Purple and Orange).
- Hunting and fishing licenses apply. Hunting and trapping are allowed in the open areas of the park during the state parks hunting and trapping time frame.
- Small-watercraft users should check river levels on the DNR conditions page for the Kinnickinnic and St. Croix rivers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I camp at Kinnickinnic State Park?
Wisconsin DNR lists no campground here, but boaters can moor overnight on the beach or water of the Kinnickinnic delta after registering and paying a mooring fee.
Can I swim at Kinnickinnic State Park?
Yes. Wisconsin DNR lists a sandy swimming area on the St. Croix River, marked by buoys, and says no lifeguard is on duty.
Can I mountain bike at Kinnickinnic State Park?
Yes. Wisconsin DNR lists over 10 miles of single-track mountain bike trails for different skill levels, with the trailhead south of the Kinnickinnic River off 770th Ave.
Nearby Attractions
The closest parks and sites to Kinnickinnic State Park on this site are Willow River State Park, Hoffman Hills State Recreation Area, Straight Lake State Park and Chippewa Moraine State Recreation Area.
Keep exploring: The closest neighbors are Willow River State Park (a short drive away) and Hoffman Hills State Recreation Area (elsewhere in the state).
🌲 Visit Kinnickinnic State Park
Current conditions, hours and directions from Wisconsin DNR.
Sources: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) property pages and vehicle admission rates; U.S. Census Bureau geocoder (county). As of October 2026.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Kinnickinnic State Park
- Pets allowed? statewide rule
- Pets are welcome in most Wisconsin state park campgrounds, trails, roads and outlying areas, but must be leashed and under control at all times.
- Leash rule statewide rule
- 8 ft maximum physical leash required at all times (except in designated pet swim areas while the pet is in the water)
- Beaches & swim areas statewide rule
- Pets are not allowed on public beaches, but over 30 properties (e.g. Devil's Lake, Governor Dodge, Point Beach) have designated pet swim areas
- Cabins & lodging statewide rule
- Pets are not allowed in buildings, picnic shelters or other structures unless specifically signed as open to pets
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- Pets prohibited entirely at Copper Culture, Heritage Hill and Hoffman Hills State Recreation Areas; designated pet picnic areas exist at many properties
Are dogs allowed at Kinnickinnic State Park?
Pets are welcome in most Wisconsin state park campgrounds, trails, roads and outlying areas, but must be leashed and under control at all times. Individual parks can post stricter rules — check signage on arrival.
Rules verified July 2026 via dnr.wisconsin.gov. More: Wisconsin state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
Park Map
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