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St. Croix River Crossing Loop Trail - Hilltop Trailhead
4.7 ★★★★★ 35 Google reviews · Running trail in Houlton, Wisconsin · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Loop distance
- 2 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from St. Croix River Crossing Loop Trail - Hilltop Trailhead's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
What runners say about St. Croix River Crossing Loop Trail - Hilltop Trailhead
“The trailhead in Houlton is nice and well maintained.”
Safe place to park, but don't forget to pay the $5 fee. And save energy for the one mile climb from the bridge at the end of your bike ride.
I was so excited to park our car and unload our bikes here to ride the loop for our first time. However, to park here, I had to download an App. No problem. But to pay for the parking, it wanted me to create an account. I figured the usual, Car License plate, credit card and a phone number for text alerts.
We started the loop with the 1/2 mile uphill ride (8% grade). That was fairly brutal to be honest, but my wife and I made it without stooping to rest. One you make it up that hill, there is short distance (less than 1/4 mile) where you are mostly on flat land with perhaps a bit of slight uphill.
This is a fun, easy ride if you're on E-bikes, otherwise, fairly difficult. The views are stunning. The trail is well maintained. Highly recommend!
Trail conditions & character
“Unless you're parking on the Minnesota side, which would have you park in Stillwater, i'd buy the annual pass.”
“I was so excited to park our car and unload our bikes here to ride the loop for our first time.”
“One you make it up that hill, there is short distance (less than 1/4 mile) where you are mostly on flat land with perhaps a bit of slight uphill.”
Plan your run at St. Croix River Crossing Loop Trail - Hilltop Trailhead
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
- Loop distance2 mi back to where you parked
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
- Websitesccwi.gov
- Phone+1 715-381-4437
- Social Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 5 am–10 pm |
| Tuesday | 5 am–10 pm |
| Wednesday | 5 am–10 pm |
| Thursday | 5 am–10 pm |
| Friday | 5 am–10 pm |
| Saturday | 5 am–10 pm |
| Sunday | 5 am–10 pm |
Running trails near Houlton
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Saint Croix Riverfront Valley View Hiking Trails
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Brown's Creek State Trailhead Kiosk
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Outdoor spot that features a scenic trail for walking, biking and running, and dogs are allowed.
Lowell Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 623 reviews
Picnic-ready park with sculptures for winter snow carvers and outdoor benches.
