It runs for 52 miles, from Taylors Falls into the Mississippi near Prescott. Bluffs of limestone and sandstone line its banks for miles. Starting in a narrow gorge, with steep vertical walls, it flows into scenic Lake St. Croix.

The Lower St. Croix National Scenic Riverway richly deserves the national designation it has had since 1972.

Early white settlers called the lower valley, "Little New England," because of its clear water and densely-forested bluffs. Those settlers also prospered from the logging industry and built Victorian houses and mansions, some of which still stand.

Whether you travel the Minnesota side, along Highway 95, or the Wisconsin side, along Highway 35 and other roads, you are in for a beautiful tour by car. This writer most recently traveled primarily the Wisconsin side, but also crossed into Minnesota a few times.

Let's start our tour on the northern end of the Riverway in Taylors Falls, on the Minnesota side. History abounds here in the Angel Hill District, with structures dating back to the 1850s. Two "Interstate Parks" also exist outside Taylors Falls, one in Minnesota and one in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin "Interstate" is the oldest state park.

Right around the bend in the river from Taylors Falls is St. Croix Falls on the Wisconsin side. Founded in 1837, this town includes natural beauty, a tradition of the logging industry and modern retail, service and commercial businesses.

Heading south down 35 on the Wisconsin side, you will run into Dresser. Here you can see the site of the historic Dresser Trap Rock crushing tower, which dates back to 1916. The tower was destroyed by fire in 1993, but Trap Rock, used in the construction and railroad industries, is still mined in Dresser.

In Osceola, if you're a train nut like this writer, you can check out the historic train depot and from May through October take the Osceola and St. Croix Valley Railway, which offers spectacular views of the riverway.

Heading south along 35, you cross the Apple River. You can rent tubes in Somerset and shoot the rapids down that river. Just to the south of Somerset, the Willow River also flows into the St. Croix. You might want to venture a little east along Highway 64 to New Richmond, which is nicknamed "The City Beautiful." It earned that nickname after placing in a national beautification contest in 1930.

Hudson A Boom Town

One of this writer's favorite towns in the Riverway is Hudson. Many consider it the western gateway to Wisconsin. Because of its proximity to the Twin Cities, it actually is one of the fastest growing areas of Wisconsin.

The development understandably raises some concerns among those who love the wonderful nature of the Riverway. It also makes the Scenic Riverway designation even more important because the river and Lake St. Croix should remain somewhat protected from over-development.

Meanwhile, the growth also makes Hudson a town with a buzz, especially during the summer season. The Phipps Center for the Arts offers a wide variety of exhibits and activities. The Octagon House Museum also is worth seeing.

Two of the best views of the Riverway are from historic Birkmose Park in Hudson and from a couple cutouts in the Kinnickinnic State Park, to the south of town.

You can continue along 35 and go to River Falls, or take Highway F out of Hudson, which hugs the river. Both will eventually bring you to Prescott, where the St. Croix meets the Mississippi. Across the Big River is Hastings, Minnesota. Together, these towns offer plenty of activities.

Up and down the St. Croix, you can find a variety of places to stay, ranging from quaint B&Bs to comfortable hotels.

If you're looking to avoid civilization, you can camp and see the Riverway much like the original inhabitants of Dakota, Sac, Fox and Ojibwa did.

You can canoe amid the North Woods, where wolves, deer, otter and porcupine can be seen. The clean, sparkling river water shelters native mussels, dragonflies, and other water life. Overhead, eagles, osprey, kingfisher and warblers fly and nest. Closer at hand raccoon, fox and bear may be glimpsed. Fishing is outstanding whether you are a fly or bait fisher.

"The St. Croix River is one of the Midwest's paddling gems, a long smooth ribbon that defines most of the border between Minnesota and Wisconsin," wrote Bob and Jody Palzer in "Whitewater Quietwater."

"With much of the lower St. Croix officially designated a National Scenic Riverway, paddlers won't be disturbed by the encroachments of civilization as they float past gentle sandstone banks and thriving hardwood forest. The trip described here can be done in sections or as one luxurious 70-mile excursion. Many rustic campsites along the way make the latter option an enticing possibility."

Part of Larger System

The Lower Riverway also is part of a larger system. When you include the Upper St. Croix and Namekagon River, you add another 200 miles of nature and recreational opportunities. The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 created a thin narrow corridor of protection for the St. Croix and Namekagon Rivers. This writer is not dealing with that section of the system now because it deserves its own column.

No matter what the season, color emanates from dense foliage in the Lower Riverway. In the spring, trilliums and marsh marigolds flourish; asters, cardinal flowers and others abound in the summer and are followed by spectacular fall colors.

Cross country skiing, snowshoeing and other winter activities also are popular, especially in the six state parks that are in the Riverway. In Hudson, the Hot Air Affair, the hot-air balloon festival, is an annual highlight of winter.

In June, a Hand-on-History Day, featuring artisans doing historic work, will be held on June 25 in Osceola. The St. Croix Sojourn, a canoe trip from the Interstate parks, to Osceola, also is planned that day. In Hastings, on the same day, you can catch the Henry Ford Fiddle Fest. A complete calendar of events can be found at saintcroixriver.com.

One important note on promoting tourism to the area: Because of the urban sprawl east from the Twin Cities, numerous groups have expressed concerns about preserving the environment and natural beauty of the Lower St. Croix.

The Lower St. Croix Management Committee is just one of these and is charged, in part, with coordinating efforts of a variety of groups.

These groups emphasize that tourism is tied in with preserving the environment and beauty. Thus, this writer concludes the column with this passage from a study by the 1000 Friends of Minnesota group:

"Tourism is a huge economic engine in the valley. The recreational resources of the valley serve as the basis of a local tourism industry. The valley offers a wide range of recreational activities, including motor boating, sailing, canoeing, camping, wildlife viewing, fishing, and hunting.

"The panoramic views, the rugged bluffs, and many recreational opportunities bring thousands of visitors every year. Studies have shown that when view sheds are damaged or compromised by even 25 percent, the dollars raised from tourism will be cut in half. This dramatic economic impact is just beginning to be understood. Protecting the St. Croix Valley is not only good for the environment; it makes good fiscal sense as well."