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St. Croix Savanna Scientific and Natural Area (SNA)
Bayport, Washington county, MN
154 acres; dry gravel prairie, savanna, oak woodland

Park/Area Notes

Sitting along the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, St. Croix Savanna SNA contains a variety of habitats. The southern section is a oak savanna on a steep hillside. A intermittent stream runs through oak woodland along the southwest border. Isolated sections of land on the north end sit on an oak forested river bluff. And the central section is undergoing upland prairie restoration.

According to the SNA's website, plants that have been found/documented here include Kittentails, James' Clammyweed/Polanisia, Pasque Flower, and numerous prairie grasses. iNaturalist plant observations at the SNA

The St. Croix River is a migration pathway for various birds; the prairie and woodland areas would be good habitat for various birds, and we spotted a Osprey nest during our Nov 2021 visit. MinnesotaSeasons.com report that Lark Sparrows, Purple Martins, and Red-shouldered Hawks have been seen there. iNaturalist animal observations at the SNA

Although the website says there are no maintained trails (standard for all SNAs), in fall 2021 there was a mowed path wide enough for a vehicle that ran from the northern parking area south to the oak savanna. Whether this is an ongoing feature or is somehow connected to the prairie restoration is not known. Satellite view shows other foot paths but these weren't very evident amongst the tall fall forbs.

Poison Ivy is prevalent here and tick prevention would be needed for bushwhacking. There are no bathrooms.

There are two entries into the SNA but the southern entry is not recommended. One must drive through a small housing development to access the northern parking area. More info on that location below.

Visits

Nov 23, 2021
We walked along the mowed path south from the parking area about .6 miles and then back along the same path. Being late November, the forbs and grasses were all brown but there were some seed heads one could observe. We saw evidence of scat, either Coyote or Fox, and deer track. There was an Osprey nest on a utility pole at the edge of the SNA.

I think this could be an interesting location to visit when the spring wildflowers are in bloom and throughout the summer to check out birds and insects. It would be a good place for a quick visit that's not too far from home (Minneapolis) or to combine with other nature areas that are close by.

Other sites in Washington county that we visited on the same day:
Blueberry Hill
Arcola Bluffs Day Use Area | Journal Post

Useful links/info

Northern Parking area/entry
Google Plus Code: 2647+QG Bayport, Minnesota
45.00714604313056, -92.78610709584407
N45 0.427, W92 47.169
Using GPS navigation is recommended. The entry road exits Prairie Way South between two houses and it looks like a driveway. This road follows some wild/park area that is locally owned and not part of the SNA (there are signs for dog walkers). The parking area for the SNA is at the terminal end of this road and the entry to the SNA says no dogs are allowed.

MN DNR: St. Croix Savanna SNA
MinnesotaSeasons.com: St. Croix Savanna SNA
iNaturalist: St. Croix Savanna SNA Point of Interest page
eBird Hotspot reports: St. Croix Savanna SNA
YouTube video: discussing St. Croix Savanna SNA
--Please note, this video shows entry at the southern gate. This gate is no longer recommended by the MN DNR.
St. Croix Scenic Byway: overview on SNAs along the St. Croix River including St. Croix Savanna SNA
--This is one page of the larger pamphlet, "St. Croix Scenic Byway; Historical Guide".

Arcola Bluffs Day Use Area (DUA)
Stillwater, Washington county, MN
207 acres; hardwood forest, meadow, river bank, small seepage forest, marshes, prairie
It is in the process of being restored to oak savanna and native prairie

Park/Area Notes

Arcola Bluffs Day Use Area is part of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway (National Park Service), but there is very little formal information about this spot.

iNaturalist observations made in or close by Arcola Bluffs SNA include approximately 80 species of plants (mostly woodland plants), 20 species of insects, 10 species of fungi, and 10 species of birds. eBird's Field Checklist for the DUA includes 97 species of birds.

From a 2018 National Park Service (NPS) report on Arcola Bluffs (link below): "Oaks dominate the forested sections of the study area, providing habitat for a variety of birds and mammals including sensitive bat species such as the northern long-eared bat and little brown bat. The white-tailed deer is the most common big game animal. Other common species include mink, weasel, skunk, woodchuck, raccoon, gray squirrel, masked shrew, deer mouse, and meadow vole. Common bird species include redwinged blackbird, belted kingfisher, bald eagle, tree swallows, and a variety of warblers."

The park is generally bounded on the east and south by the St. Croix River, on the north by the Arcola High Bridge (aka Soo Line High Bridge), and on the west by Arcola Tr N. There is a section of private land south of Rivard Rd that cuts into the park further east than Arcola Tr N. By my rough estimate, there are about 2.5 miles of trails here (most require hiking in then back). A trail map is on the info sign at the parking area entrance and other options for trail maps can be found in the links below.

The topography of the park includes a gently sloping plateau that is separated from the St. Croix River bank by steep slopes and bluffs. The 2018 NPS document said "Safe and logical routes to experience the river are needed as steep cliffs and bluffs present fall hazards similar to what exists in other areas of the Riverway." The main northernmost trail definitely leads to the River and provides a view of the nearby (railway) Arcola High Bridge (per multiple online bloggers). Parallel to the river lies a former railroad bed. Additionally there are some historic roadways (no longer accessible to vehicular traffic) running through the park that vary in condition but a few have firm, stable surfaces.

Dogs are allowed on leash. The entry sign cautions visitors to check for ticks and to avoid digging in moist soils due to the presence of blastomycosis. There are no bathrooms and parking is limited.

Visits

November 23, 2021
This was our last stop of the day so we only hiked about .3 miles into the park mostly to check it out for a future visit. The trail leading out from the parking area and left at the first intersection had large trees but not a lot of undergrowth, giving it an open feel. Being late November, there wasn't a lot to see but there was a decent amount of fungi. For observing nature, I'm not sure there is a lot that makes this stand out on its own. But it's not far from the Twin Cities and there are other nature spots nearby that can be combined in a day trip. There is also some historical significance to the site that could appeal to other interests as well as the opportunity to view the Arcola High Bridge.

We visited on a weekday around 1:45 pm and there were enough cars in the parking area pullover that things were getting a little tight. I suspect, on a lovely weekend day, this park could get busy and parking could be an issue. A drive along the St. Croix River is popular on pleasant weekends and traffic through Stillwater can get insanely and aggravatingly congested at times. We would only consider visits to this area on 'off' times.

Other sites in Washington county that we visited on the same day:
Blueberry Hill
St. Croix Savanna SNA | Journal Post

Useful links/info

Location of parking: 45°07'09.0"N 92°45'16.2"W | 45.119153, -92.754508
Google Maps has a pin for Arcola Bluffs Day Use Area but the pin is just north of the parking area.
The Plus Code for the park is: 469W+XC Stillwater, Minnesota
There's a narrow pullover on the east side of Arcola Trail North, just north of the intersection with Rivard Road North that can accommodate up to 7 or 8 vehicles (if parked neatly). Other than at this pullover, no parking is allowed on Arcola Trail (or Rivard Rd).

iNaturalist: observations north area | south area (in rough geographical bounding boxes around Arcola Bluffs)
eBird Hotspot reports: Arcola Bluffs Day Use Area
eBird Field Checklist: Arcola Bluffs Day Use Area
BackYardBiology blog entry: patch of wildflowers found in Arcola Bluffs DUA
GalavantGal blog entry: "Hiking Near the Cities: Arcola Bluffs Day Use Area and William O’Brien State Park" | has good photo of entry sign
YouTube Video: snowshoeing at Arcola Bluffs DUA
National Park Service 200MB pdf: "Arcola Bluffs; Cultural Landscape Assessment" (2018) | contains the most info I found on Arcola Bluffs
      page 37/163 (in the pdf reader) or 2-23 (in the original print document) is a good topgraphical image of the trail system
     Subsequent pages contain photos of the trails that show their condition (as of 2018).
National Park Service: Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway website | no info on Arcola Bluffs DUA but lots of info on nearby features

Blueberry Hill
Bayport, Washington county, MN
2-4 acres; prairie remnant; restored prairie (in progreess)

Park/Area Notes

This small site is owned by the Minnesota Dept of Transportation (MnDOT) and stewarded by volunteers from The Prairie Enthusiasts' St. Croix Valley Chapter. Although local volunteers have worked for years to maintain and restore this prairie, there isn't much official information on it. There doesn't seem to be any trails or clear boundaries (that I could determine).

Plants found here include: Leadplant, Flowering Spurge, Rough Blazing Star, Dutchman's Breeches, Round-headed Bush Clover.

Birds include: Clay-colored Sparrow, Baltimore Oriole, Dark-eyed Junco, and Black-capped Chickadee. Since it adjoins the St. Croix River, there might be some opportunity to view birds using the river for migration. There isn't a hot spot at eBird for this location.

There didn't seem to be many iNaturalist insect observations for this site but I suspect there are insects to be found and the restoration effort is trying to maintain potential habitat for the critically endangered Rusty-patched Bumble Bee.

South of Bayport, Quant Ave N loops away (to the east) from MN-95 and then back, thereby creating a long parcel of land bounded by each road. The southern section of the parcel contains private houses (far south) and farmland (mid-parcel). The northern 'third' of this parcel contains the restored prairie that was once farmland.

Across from that restored prairie on the east side of Quant Ave is more prairie - perhaps the original, prairie remnant mentioned in articles. Beyond that (and toward the St. Croix River) is a line of trees and then the land likely drops down to the river side. Two railway tracks run along the River here and I doubt that is considered public access.

There is a new (as of 2021) parking area north of Quant Ave just before its northern intersection with MN-95. From what I can tell, the area around this parking lot hadn't been part of the past restoration work but it may be restored in the future. There are no bathrooms on site.

Visits

Nov 23, 2021
We mostly wanted to check this site out. There wasn't a lot to see in late November. We found the very new parking area but it looked like one would have to walk south on Quant Ave N to access the prairie areas. There had been a recent burn on the east side of Quant Ave N but, from the car, we did observe some Dark-eyed Juncos, Black-capped Chickadees, and a Northern Cardinal. Most of the road looked to be lined with a ditch which I, with compromised mobility, wouldn't be keen to climb down and out of. Additionally there was some short brush along the road that would impair entry. But we didn't look really closely and people work in these areas all the time so there must be some easier entry than climbing into and out of a ditch. It's possible summer will reveal any informal trails that get created by visitors.

I'm not sure there is a lot that makes this place stand out on its own but it's close to the Twin Cities and other nature spots that can be combined into a day trip and I'm curious about what the spring and summer might have to offer.

Other sites in Washington county that we visited on the same day:
St. Croix Savanna SNA | Journal Post
Arcola Bluffs Day Use Area | Journal Post

Useful links/info

Parking area is off Quant Ave N at its northern intersection with MN-95.
44°59'20.6"N 92°46'42.5"W | 44.989064, -92.778476

The Prairie Enthusiasts: St. Croix Valley chapter

Media articles:
St. Croix 360: "Prairie protectors save site overlooking St. Croix River from state sale" (Nov 5, 2021)
St. Croix 360: "State plans to auction off scenic prairie on Bayport bluff" (Jul 24, 2020)
US News & World Report: "Prairie Protectors Find Their Thrill Saving Blueberry Hill" (Nov 22, 2021)
St. Croix Valley Magazine: "Group says Minnesota's Native Prairies Are 'as Rare and Worthy of Saving as the Amazon'"(Aug/Sep 2019)

Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge (NWR)
Trempealeau, Trempealeau county (and southern Buffalo county), WI
6,446 acres; rolling sand prairie, restored prairie, wetland, bottomland forest, oak savanna, marsh

Park/Area Notes

Trempealeau NWR is near to but isolated from the Mississippi and Trempealeau rivers by dikes making it an ideal resting and feeding area for waterfowl and other birds. Various areas of the park offer opportunities to view Bald Eagles, Sandhill Cranes, Blandings Turtles, Black Terns, Osprey, American White Pelicans, North American River Otters, migrating waterfowl (including Tundra Swans), songbirds, and shorebirds as well as a variety of native wildflowers and prairie grasses.

Although we haven't experienced issues with nuisance insects during our visits, it is likely that biting flies, gnats, and mosquitoes may be present during certain times of the year. Official literature suggests bug spray. Many of the trails are clear/wide enough I wouldn't hesitate to hike them without tick precautions, but if one hopes to wade into wild plants/grasses for closer observations, I would expect tick precautions would be needed.

Prairie's Edge Tour Loop (aka Wildlife Drive)
There is a 4.5 mile loop (open year round) that is accessible to bikers, pedestrians and cars. Along this loop are a few walking trails of varying lengths. At the rivermost point of the loop is a parking lot with an observation deck and bathrooms. There is a boat/canoe launch which would provide access to the observing from the water. | Tour Loop Map and Self-Guided Tour (pdf) | Wider Refuge Trail Map (pdf)
Start of Tour Loop: 44°03'00.6"N 91°31'15.9"W | 44.050178, -91.521071 | Plus Code: 3F2H+3HF West Prairie, Wisconsin

River Bottoms Access | foot & bike traffic only
A small parking area (max about 5-7 cars?) just off WI-35/WI-54 sits at a trailhead for trails leading into the refuge. The trail along River Bottoms Road runs 1 mile one way. The trail along Oxbow Dike (from trailhead) is almost 1 mile one way. (trails don't loop - you travel out then back on same route). | Map (pdf)
The parking area is on the river side of WI-35/WI-54 just south/east of the intersection with Lipinski Ln.
Parking area : 44°04'07.7"N 91°35'49.9"W | 44.068797, -91.597190 | Plus Code: 3C93+G47 Bluff Siding, Wisconsin

Marshland Access | foot & bike traffic only
A paved lot (accommodating about 25-30 cars) serves as a trailhead for a trail that leads into the refuge and toward the Mississippi sidewaters ending at Delta Point (2 miles one way) as well as the Great River Trail which runs travels 1.3 miles SE till it meets the Wildlife Drive. NOTE: Although I don't believe there is a fee for riding bikes along most trails/roads in Trempealeau NWR, a permit is required to bike on the Great River Trail. (none required for hikers) More info on the State Trail at the link below. | Map (pdf)
The parking area is on the river side of WI-35/WI-54 just south/east of the intersection with CountyRd-P and the railroad tracks.
Parking area : 44°04'17.7"N 91°33'17.3"W | 44.071582, -91.554800 | Plus Code : 3CCW+J3P Marshland, Wisconsin

Visits

October 19, 2021
Having driven 2.5 hours to get to the Refuge, we made straight for the bathrooms near the observation deck on the Prairie's Edge Tour Loop. Once there, we had lunch in the car then headed out for a hike along Pine Creek Dike. It was hard to see much on the water due to sun bouncing off the water and backlighting everything. But we got some poorish photos of waterfowl, some of which were identifiable. We also saw the fall seedheads of a few new plants for us, some Bittersweet, a few Meadowhawk Dragonflies, Painted Turtles, and a Great Horned Owl feather.

Returning to the car, we drove the Loop twice, mostly enjoying the drive. We saw a few birds including some Rusty Blackbirds and a Pileated Woodpecker and a dead-in-the-road Garter Snake.

This is a long drive from home for us but it was an enjoyable trip down the Mississippi and the park is nice to drive through. In the future, we may want to try one of the other hiking areas.

Useful links/info

US Fish & Wildlife Service : Trempealeau NWR
Wisconsins DNR: Great River State Trail
US Fish & Wildlife : Refuge Bird List (pdf)
US Fish & Wildlife : Great River State Trail Map (pdf)
iNaturalist: Trempealeau NWR Open Space page
iNaturalist: Observations
eBird - there are multiple hotspots for Trempealeau NWR: | Trempealeau county Hotspots | Buffalo county Hotspots