What April is like
April is the river’s big month — snowmelt usually makes it the highest-flow month of the year, so the St. Croix runs fast, cold and brown. In the river woods, the first spring ephemerals push up through the leaf litter: skunk cabbage, hepatica and bloodroot, then rue anemone. Spring peepers and chorus frogs fill the wetlands at dusk.
In April, Marine on St. Croix averages a high of 54°F and a low of 36°F. Expect about 3.2 in of precipitation (liquid equivalent) and roughly 4 in of snow. About 10 nights dip to freezing. Days last about 13.5 hours, with roughly 9.0 hours of sunshine.
The river in April
Long-term average flow at St. Croix Falls in April is 10,524 cfs — 2.3× the yearly average, the season of fast, cold, high water. Paddle only with experience and a wetsuit or drysuit, and check the river dashboard first.
Best things to do in April
Based on climate normals and when wildlife is most often recorded, April is a good month for: hiking, birding.
- Hunt for the earliest wildflowers along the riverside and wetland trails.
- Hear the frog chorus at the park’s wetlands on a mild evening.
- Leave the canoe at home — save paddling for later in the season.
What to pack
- warm layers and a fleece
- rain shell
- waterproof shoes for muddy trails
- traction cleats or snowshoes for packed trails
- a dry bag if you plan to paddle
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