St. Croix Savanna Scientific and Natural Area

St. Croix Savanna Scientific and Natural Area (SNA)
Bayport, Washington county, MN
154 acres; dry gravel prairie, savanna, oak woodland

Park/Area Notes

Sitting along the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, St. Croix Savanna SNA contains a variety of habitats. The southern section is a oak savanna on a steep hillside. A intermittent stream runs through oak woodland along the southwest border. Isolated sections of land on the north end sit on an oak forested river bluff. And the central section is undergoing upland prairie restoration.

According to the SNA's website, plants that have been found/documented here include Kittentails, James' Clammyweed/Polanisia, Pasque Flower, and numerous prairie grasses. iNaturalist plant observations at the SNA

The St. Croix River is a migration pathway for various birds; the prairie and woodland areas would be good habitat for various birds, and we spotted a Osprey nest during our Nov 2021 visit. MinnesotaSeasons.com report that Lark Sparrows, Purple Martins, and Red-shouldered Hawks have been seen there. iNaturalist animal observations at the SNA

Although the website says there are no maintained trails (standard for all SNAs), in fall 2021 there was a mowed path wide enough for a vehicle that ran from the northern parking area south to the oak savanna. Whether this is an ongoing feature or is somehow connected to the prairie restoration is not known. Satellite view shows other foot paths but these weren't very evident amongst the tall fall forbs.

Poison Ivy is prevalent here and tick prevention would be needed for bushwhacking. There are no bathrooms.

There are two entries into the SNA but the southern entry is not recommended. One must drive through a small housing development to access the northern parking area. More info on that location below.

Visits

Nov 23, 2021
We walked along the mowed path south from the parking area about .6 miles and then back along the same path. Being late November, the forbs and grasses were all brown but there were some seed heads one could observe. We saw evidence of scat, either Coyote or Fox, and deer track. There was an Osprey nest on a utility pole at the edge of the SNA.

I think this could be an interesting location to visit when the spring wildflowers are in bloom and throughout the summer to check out birds and insects. It would be a good place for a quick visit that's not too far from home (Minneapolis) or to combine with other nature areas that are close by.

Other sites in Washington county that we visited on the same day:
Blueberry Hill
Arcola Bluffs Day Use Area | Journal Post

Useful links/info

Northern Parking area/entry
Google Plus Code: 2647+QG Bayport, Minnesota
45.00714604313056, -92.78610709584407
N45 0.427, W92 47.169
Using GPS navigation is recommended. The entry road exits Prairie Way South between two houses and it looks like a driveway. This road follows some wild/park area that is locally owned and not part of the SNA (there are signs for dog walkers). The parking area for the SNA is at the terminal end of this road and the entry to the SNA says no dogs are allowed.

MN DNR: St. Croix Savanna SNA
MinnesotaSeasons.com: St. Croix Savanna SNA
iNaturalist: St. Croix Savanna SNA Point of Interest page
eBird Hotspot reports: St. Croix Savanna SNA
YouTube video: discussing St. Croix Savanna SNA
--Please note, this video shows entry at the southern gate. This gate is no longer recommended by the MN DNR.
St. Croix Scenic Byway: overview on SNAs along the St. Croix River including St. Croix Savanna SNA
--This is one page of the larger pamphlet, "St. Croix Scenic Byway; Historical Guide".