Osceola

Welcome to Osceola

Historic Osceola Has Unique Shops

Rich in history and an abundance of natural playgrounds, Osceola is a place you’ll love to call home away from home. Relaxing, and rejuvenating, Osceola is your easy and walkable small-town getaway. Located in between four state parks and on the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway this friendly, historic town provides your base camp to come back to after you explore all the attractions nearby.

Osceola was originally settled in 1844. A collection of buildings dating from the 1880s forms the core of downtown, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. The village population is 2,800. It has two industrial parks and a municipal airport. Shop in a Charming Small Town – The downtown

commercial district provides visitors with one-of-a-kind shops that feature local artists and handcrafted items – providing a full day of shopping and discovery. Eateries include farm-to-table fare and outstanding outdoor dining options where you can sit next to the rushing Geiger Falls or enjoy a game at Little Lambeau. Visit Cascade Falls – This natural attraction in downtown Osceola, Cascade Falls was created by the drop of Osceola Creek some 25 feet. Cascade Falls was a stop for excursion steamboats in the late 1880s and now provides a cooling respite on hot summer days and in winter – a backdrop of frosty natural ice sculptures. An alternate route to the falls is recommended. Follow the trail along the Osceola Creek to the St. Croix River. Bring a fishing pole and be sure to have a trout stamp on your license if you want to fish for trout in Mill Pond or upstream above Mill Pond, which is on the opposite side of the highway from Cascade Falls.

Hike the Falls Bluff Loop Trail – For thousands of years, a

limestone bluff (Osceola Bluff) that overlooks the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway has been an area landmark. Chippewa Indians camped here along the “ginseng trail.” The bluff is a resting place for resident bald eagles. Today the bluff is owned by the Village of Osceola. You can hike to the top of the bluff, which rises 300 feet above the river. The trailhead can be found behind the Cascade BP. Park on Depot Road. The trail is gated against motor vehicle traffic; walk up the hill to find the trailhead. The trail is approximately 0.7 mile in length. Take in the spectacular views of St. Croix River and downtown Osceola, especially during the fall leaf colors. There are also several local hike & bike trails to enjoy. Picnic at Osceola Landing – You can launch your kayak or canoe or go for a swim at the beach. Grab some take-out at one of our lovely restaurants and enjoy a picnic while you relax in some amazing scenic spots where you’ll likely see bald eagles resting near the bluffs. Ride the Vintage Train

– The Osceola Depot and Railway attracts visitors to enjoy a vintage train ride through limestone bluffs, woodlands, and the river valley. Pizza, dinner, and brunch trains are popular spring through fall color season. For more info, visit TrainRide.org.

All aboard! Osceola & St. Croix Valley Railway

A bygone era comes to life when you board the Osceola & St. Croix Valley Railway train at the historic Osceola Depot in Osceola. The diesel-powered locomotives pull vintage rail cars en route through the beautiful St. Croix River Valley to the train’s destinations.

The Osceola & St. Croix Valley Railway operates from May through October, departing from the Osceola Depot with excursion train rides to Marine on St Croix, Minnesota (90 minutes) and Dresser, Wisconsin (60 minutes). The round-trip excursion then returns passengers to the Osceola Depot. The railway operates themed weekends and seasonal specials including wine tastings, pizza, Picnic on the Train, fall colors and Pumpkin Express trains.

“We strive to meet the standards when service was an art and every journey included a trip to the dining car,” their website notes. Passengers are welcomed to walk through the various cars, representing different eras when rail travel was king. Catch the breeze from their 1920s open-window coaches or enjoy airconditioned comfort in the 1950s streamline cars. Restrooms and beverage concessions are available.

Begin your rail experience by purchasing a ticket at the fullyrestored, 1916 SOO Line Depot. Parking is available near the depot, 114 Depot Road, or at the bottom of the small hill. For more information, departure times and tickets, call 651-228-0263 or visit TrainRide.org or Facebook.

The train (or individual cars) is available for charters for community groups, corporate activities, church trips, graduation and retirement dinners, weddings, receptions and more. The railway makes every effort to accommodate guests with special needs, but portions of the train are non-ADA compliant due to age and historic nature.

© Dean S. Acheson