- Exploring the hidden gems of Western Wisconsin—curating unforgettable stays and sharing the places locals love most.
Most people only know St. Croix Falls in summer, when the river is full of canoes and the trails above the Dalles are packed. I like it best when the snow comes. The dark volcanic cliffs stand out sharp against the white, the trails go quiet, and for six weeks around the holidays, the hills outside town light up with one of the biggest Christmas light shows in the Midwest.
It’s a little over an hour north of Prescott, up the St. Croix River valley, which makes it a perfect winter day trip. Here’s how I’d spend it with you, from a snowy hike in Wisconsin’s oldest state park to a walk through millions of twinkling lights after dark.
Start with a slow breakfast on Washington Street. The Dalles Cafe & Coffee House is the cozy option, with eggs Benedict and bagels with house-made cream cheese. If you’re in the mood for something completely different, The Vegetarian down the street serves Indian vegetarian food that has a loyal following, from malai kofta to crispy Mysore dosa. Winter hours change, so check before you go.
Just south of downtown, Interstate State Park was established in 1900, the very first state park in Wisconsin. Minnesota had protected its side of the river five years earlier, so together they became the first park in the country to span two states. They did it to save the Dalles of the St. Croix, a deep gorge where the river cuts between walls of dark basalt, rock that started as lava flows more than a billion years ago.
The story of the gorge doesn’t stop there. In 1886, logs coming down the river piled up in the Dalles into a jam that stretched about two miles, one of the biggest log jams ever recorded. Standing above that narrow channel in the snow, it’s easy to picture.
If you only take one walk, take this one. It’s a short 0.4-mile loop past glacial potholes, smooth round holes drilled into the rock by meltwater and swirling stones at the end of the last ice age. From the observation deck, the frozen river stretches out below. Look north toward the rocks before the highway bridge and you’ll spot the Old Man of the Dalles, a stone face in the cliff that really does look like a profile once you see it.
Want the biggest potholes of all? Walk across the bridge to Minnesota’s side of the park, where the Bottomless Pit drops about 60 feet into the rock.
For the best view, take the Summit Rock trail, a half-mile loop up to the highest point on the bluffs. Wear boots with real traction. The rock gets icy, and the bluff trails aren’t maintained in winter, so take your time.
Interstate has about 12 miles of winter trails, and the Skyline trail is groomed for classic cross-country skiing. Skiers 16 and older need a Wisconsin state trail pass, in addition to the vehicle sticker every visitor needs.
When your toes go numb, head to the Ice Age Interpretive Center inside the park. Watch the 24-minute film “Mammoths and Moraines,” see real mammoth molars and step out on the deck over the valley. It’s also the western end of the 1,200-mile Ice Age National Scenic Trail, so you can say you stood at the start of it.
In winter, the center is typically open weekends from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and hours depend on volunteers, so call ahead.
Every February, the park lines a one-mile loop with hundreds of luminaries for an evening of skiing, snowshoeing and hiking by candlelight, with warming fires along the way and hot drinks at the Ice Age Center. If there’s enough snow, they’ll even loan you snowshoes. In 2026 it was a Saturday in early February, from 5 to 8 p.m. Watch the Wisconsin DNR events calendar for the 2027 date, and get there early, since parking is limited.
Save the best for after dark. Just outside town, Miracle at Big Rock turns the countryside at Big Rock Creek into a holiday light show with more than 25 million lights. The first time you crest the hill and see it, you’ll say “wow” out loud. Everybody does.
On walk-through nights, it really comes alive. There are food trucks and festive cocktails, s’mores around the fire pits, sledding hills, live reindeer, live music and Cookies with Santa. The Miracle Market, tucked inside an old barn, is full of artisan gifts. Grab a hot drink, walk slowly and soak it in.
Bringing a sled? The southern section of the Gandy Dancer State Trail starts right in St. Croix Falls and runs 47 miles north on an old rail line, a flat, scenic ride through the woods.
If you’d like a sit-down dinner before the lights, the Dalles House Restaurant & Lounge is a longtime local spot for steak and seafood. Then it’s a little over an hour back down the river to Prescott and a warm room.
Make downtown Prescott your home base and book direct with us: The Port of Prescott for boutique king suites steps from the river, Port After Dark for romantic suites made for couples, The Harbor Hotel for themed rooms and extended stays, and The Cove Guest House for downtown condos and group getaways.
