WHERE IS STILLWATER?
Stillwater is located in the Midwestern region of the United States, in the State of Minnesota, just outside of the Twin Cities – Minneapolis/St. Paul. Minnesota borders Wisconsin, South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa, and Canada. Stillwater is located on the banks of the St. Croix River, a National Scenic Riverway bordering Wisconsin and the Main Street is on the St. Croix Scenic Byway.
DIRECTIONS
From Downtown Minneapolis – a straight shot off Interstate 35W headed north out of Minneapolis onto Hwy 36 right into downtown Stillwater.
From Downtown St. Paul – quick ride north on Interstate 35E, then straight east on Hwy 36.
From Wisconsin – WI Hwy 64 takes you across the state border (St. Croix River) with the downtown Stillwater exit right as you enter Minnesota. If you are coming from Madison or Milwaukee, you’ll find Stillwater via Interstate 94, then head north on MN Hwy 95.
From the North (Duluth or perhaps Canada)– Interstate 35 South to Minnesota Hwy 36.
From the South – Iowa, Illinois, Indiana…we welcome you – head north!
PARKING
Stillwater offers both PAID and FREE parking spaces. There are 1959 parking spaces in downtown Stillwater – the majority are FREE! All street spots are FREE with 3hr limits. Surface parking lots have either 3hr, 4hr or 24hr parking time limits. Enjoy FREE winter parking in all surface lots November 1-April 30th (exception, the parking ramp). Download/View/Print the City Parking maps or Visitor Guide Map as seen below. For questions on parking, please contact the City of Stillwater. *Be sure to PAY for your parking BEFORE you have fun. For busy event days, please plan ahead to carpool or taxi from your hotel (list below).
Insider Tip: We recommend using the Stillwater Parking RAMP (small daily fee $3 weekday/$5 weekend) located on 2nd St/Commercial St. next to the Lowell Inn and only one block from Main Street. There’s typically space available! You’ll need your smartphone to pay, so go to AirGara.ge , choose the “Stillwater Ramp”, enter your name and plate number, and off you go!
If you have a large RV or trailer, there are 4 36′ parking spaces in lot 12 which is the one on the riverside of Main Street by the Brown’s Creek bike trailhead on the map below and 5 tour bus parking spots are available along Highway 96/Main Street on the south entrance of downtown near St. Croix Boat & Packet (large fleet of riverboats).
Please note the time limits for parking in your lot and be sure to choose a 24hr specific lot if that is what you need.
Bike Trail Parking TIP: park in either of the lots on the Wisconsin side of the Loop trail or the lot near the St. Croix Crossing bridge and bike into downtown! Here is the address for the bridge lot just off highway 36/highway 95/main street as you enter Stillwater: 1315 Main St. S.
ST. CROIX CROSSING BRIDGE
The new St. Croix Crossing bridge connecting Stillwater to Wisconsin was completed August, 2017. Interested in the new bridge design? Visit the MNDOT St. Croix Crossing website.
Part of the project was to create a bike/pedestrian trail so there are three stunning lookout points with information signs and a MN/WI state line marker to find. The final section of the St. Croix River Crossing Loop Trail will opened June 1, 2020.
HISTORIC LIFT BRIDGE
The historic Lift Bridge crossing the St. Croix River between Stillwater and Houlton, WI is one of three still remaining in the country. This bridge was built in 1931 to replace a swing bridge and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Boats are allowed to pass periodically under the bridge, so please note the lift schedule (set by the U.S. Coast Guard): Peak Season (May 15th – October 15th), the bridge is staffed Monday-Friday 8am-10pm, Weekends & Federal Holidays 8am-midnight. Lift operates hourly or every 30 depending on the day. Contact MN DOT 651.234.7110. As of August, 2017 the historic lift bridge closed to vehicle traffic for good as underwent extensive renovation then reopened in June 2020 as part of the Loop Trail exclusively for pedestrians and bikes.
TRANSPORTATION – To Stillwater
By Car or Motorcyle
Stillwater is located on the St. Croix Scenic Byway and is not far off the path of one of America’s Byways called the Great River Road in MN or WI that runs along the Mississippi River from Canada all the way to the Gulf of Mexico (from hwy 61 in Hastings, MN head north on Hwy 95) . Take the scenic drive listed on MotorcycleRoads.us for great ride from Stillwater to Taylor’s Falls, MN. Need to rent a car? Enterprise Car Rental has a location in Stillwater.
By Public Transport
The St. Paul Amtrak railway Union Station is 30 minutes away. Check the Metro Transit Bus for possible bus routes from MSP airport or Union Station.
By Plane
The Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport is 30 minutes away. Named Best Airport in North America three years in a row! MSP Airport Shuttle Service www.supershuttle.com 800.258.3826 or www.Fareshark.com 612.516.3273
Arriving by private plane? Lake Elmo Airport is just a 12 minute easy drive from Lake Elmo, MN.
By Bike or on Foot
Stillwater is a regional bike trail destination linking to St. Paul and Wisconsin. Bike or walk these three trails all connected: Brown’s Creek State Trail , Gateway Bike Trail , St. Croix Crossing Loop Trail. Downtown Stillwater is best enjoyed on foot. Stroll along the river walkway or down Main Street shopping district – pedestrians are welcome with safe crosswalk signals. Enjoy the views with a walk on the new multi-use loop trail connecting Minnesota and Wisconsin crossing over both the historic lift bridge and new St. Croix Crossing bridges.
By Water
Spend time cruisin’ the beautiful St. Croix River by launching your own boat or renting a pontoon. Check with nearby marinas for more options – launch fees, transient docking, dry docking, slip rental, boat rental, purchase, or repairs. See the Things to Do- On the Water page for complete marina listing.
DNR – FREE Public Water Access Boat Launch – just north of 96 on hwy 95 – St. Croix Boomsite
Boomsite Marina 651.275.0229 (boat launch)
Wolf Marine 651.439.2341 (boat launch)
Ole Sawmill Marina 651.231.2025 (
Stillwater Marina Services & Boat Rentals 651.439.9000
Sunnyside Marina 651.439.2118 (transient dockage)
Beachhouse Marina 651.275.0229 (boat launch)
River Park Marina 651.275.0229
Bayport Marina 651.439.1044 (transient dockage)
Note: Check the Historic Lift Bridge Schedule before you leave the dock.
Downtown boat sales – new & used: Tetzlaff Yacht Sales 888.658.9504
The City of Stillwater has 14 FREE public slips, 4 of which can be used for overnight docking up (3-night max). The slips are available first come first serve and managed by the St. Croix Boat & Packet Company (651) 430-1234. Located behind the large fleet of paddle-wheel boats. Access from north end of the docks near the Dock Cafe restaurant. Water hook up on site. Power available for purchase.
TRANSPORTATION – In & Around Stillwater
UBER & Lyft serve Stillwater!
Stillwater Taxi 651.439.9999
Hill Valley Taxi Co. 651.373.9941
Tip-Top Taxi & Limo 651-383-6618
You Drink, We Drive 651.338.1425 (they will drive your car home for you)
Last Call Car Services 651.789.2222 (they will drive your car home for you)
Twin Cities Car & Limo Serivce 763.843.9414
Ace Limo 651.223.5466
Total Luxury Limousine 651.770.5668
My Black Car Ride 612.269.8513
Stillwater Trolley – Trolley’s are available for private transportation rental or for historic tours, NO SHUTTLE. 651.430.0352
Tuk-Tuk Woo Hoo – free 3-person open air electric people moving machine 888-4TukTuk (488-5885) (downtown only)