This area is characterized by wild, beautiful rivers, including the Rum, St. Croix, Kettle, and the Snake. It also includes Lake Mille Lacs, one of Minnesota’s largest lakes well known for its abundant fishing.
The St. Croix River – a Wild & Scenic River and National Scenic Riverway – is a major migratory corridor for waterbirds, and birds like the bald eagle, sandhill crane, osprey, and trumpeter swan call it home. Lake Mille Lacs also features the nation’s smallest National Wildlife Refuge (just 0.57 acres!), which is nonetheless important because it hosts one of only five breeding grounds for the common tern in Minnesota.
