St. Croix River Canoeing & Superior Hiking Trail Backpacking
Immerse yourself in the outdoors as you paddle down the St. Croix Riverway past sandstone cliffs then explore dense boreal forests, stunning waterfalls and awe-inspiring ridgetop vistas on the Superior Hiking Trail on this 15-day expedition.
River-shaped sandstone cliffs, shimmering silver maples and clean, rushing water will captivate you and your crew as you travel down the Namekagon and St. Croix Rivers. This stunning and diverse ecosystem challenges your paddling skills through moving water and varied rapid classes. The river demands your attention as you and your crew navigate its forks, twists and turns. After the river you’ll launch into the backpacking portion of your expedition as it takes you into the heart of the Sawtooth Mountain Range, adjacent to the world’s largest body of freshwater, Lake Superior. Greet the sunrise, spend the day challenging yourself while hiking the stunning Superior Hiking Trail. Learn outdoor skills that allow you to travel with confidence through these awe-inspiring wilderness environments. In addition to gaining useful technical skills, you’ll also develop essential life skills including perseverance or “grit,” teamwork, problem solving, decision making and leadership in this fun and unique outdoor classroom. This expedition will push you to find new personal limits and develop self-reliance, teamwork and outdoor skills in a rugged and beautiful natural classroom.
NOTE: Outward Bound strongly recommends that all students be vaccinated against COVID-19 and up to date as defined by the CDC prior to arriving to their course start. For all open enrollment courses beginning on or after April 15, 2023, Outward Bound will no longer require students to be vaccinated against COVID-19. For questions regarding this policy please see this page or call us at 866-467-7651.
UPCOMING COURSES
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Once a course has reached capacity, three waitlist positions become available. To join a course’s waitlist, click “Join Waitlist” to begin the application process. A $500 deposit is required. This $500 deposit includes a $150 non-refundable application fee and a $350 tuition payment. The $350 tuition payment is refundable only if you cancel your waitlist application or if an open position does not become available. If a position does become available, the applicant will be applied to the open position and the Application and Cancellation Policies of the Regional Outward Bound School will be followed, including forfeiture of the $500 deposit if you cancel 90 days or less prior to the course start date.
Waitlist applicants are encouraged to complete all required admissions documents while awaiting an open position. Positions may become available up to two weeks prior to the course start date. Applicants may only apply to one course. We recommend applying to a course with open positions instead of a course that is accepting waitlist applications. If you have questions, please call 866-467-7651 to speak with one of our Admissions Advisors.
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I connected with people I never thought I would. I will never forget the characters on this trip. I learned that staying positive makes everything more enjoyable. I had a great time.
Students paddle together on the upper section of both the Namekagon and St. Croix Rivers and enjoy pristine camping within this National Scenic Riverway. In two-person canoes, students learn to maneuver their boat through varied rapid classes. After lessons in basic river travel, students learn about “reading” currents, anticipating obstacles, understanding river dynamics and working as an effective team to negotiate both technical and calm portions of the river. Students also learn about weather, swimming in moving water, paddle techniques and the importance of Recreate Responsibly ethics when camping and traveling.
Students hit the ground running as they learn how to set up camp in the Sawtooth Mountain Range of the Superior Hiking Trail. Equipped with everything they need, students hike three to 10 miles per day, depending on terrain, and camp near remote rivers or lakes. Throughout the expedition, students learn to shift their perspective as their backpack transforms from a heavy burden to an organized system, providing the freedom to trek unassisted from the outside world.
Individuals come together to form an expedition crew as they master skills, including wilderness travel, leadership and teamwork. As the expedition progresses and students’ self-confidence and skills increase, they have the opportunity to take more ownership over the expedition, including group leadership, route selection, navigation and camp set up. This intentional progression provides the crew with the opportunity to support each other as they decide where this adventure will take them.
Rock climbing combines control, strength and problem-solving as students ascend natural rock formations at multiple climbing sites along the Superior Hiking Trail. Each climbing site provides a variety of beginner and intermediate climbs that provide an ideal introduction to rock climbing. Regardless of a student’s rock climbing and rappelling background, everyone is sure to find challenge and success as they have the opportunity to climb at the beginning and end of this expedition, weather permitting.
All Outward Bound rock climbing and rappelling experiences are carefully supervised and employ safety systems aligned with national standards. During climbing days, students learn about rock climbing equipment, safety and etiquette, belaying techniques and climbing rescue techniques. Encouraged and supported by their group, students push their perceived limits and expand their comfort zones in a fun and non-competitive environment.
At one point during the expedition students are provided a secluded spot to reflect alone, with all the food, skills and supplies they need, and are monitored by staff throughout the experience to maintain safety. We call this part of course, Solo. The Solo experience provides an important break from the rigors of the expedition and gives students the opportunity to reflect on their Outward Bound experience. Many students use this reflection time to make decisions about their future, journal and enjoy the beauty of their surroundings unencumbered by the constant external stimulation of modern life. The duration of Solo depends on the course length and type, as well as the competency and preparedness of the student group. Students find that Solo provokes profound and powerful learning in a short period of time and often becomes one of the most memorable parts of their Outward Bound course.
Service is a cornerstone of every Outward Bound experience. From the seemingly small daily acts of service for the environment to the regular tasks of being part of an expeditionary team, students have ample opportunities to experience the value of giving back to the larger community. On the expedition, students are encouraged to practice environmental stewardship in the form of Recreate Responsibly ethics. Students also practice regular acts of service for their team by preparing and serving meals, securing drinking water, setting up camp and giving their crew plenty of support.
St. Croix National Wild & Scenic Riverway, Wisconsin and Minnesota
The Riverway starts at the Namekagon River in Northern Wisconsin and flows into the St. Croix River just north of Danbury, Wisconsin, where the river becomes the border between Wisconsin and Minnesota. The entire Riverway includes over 200 miles of river travel and many rapids up to Class I or Class II, depending on water levels. The river section concludes near Minnesota’s Interstate State Park in Taylor’s Falls, Minnesota.
Carved by glaciers more than 10,000 years ago, the Riverway harbors centuries-old rock formations and glacial potholes found in very few places on earth. This corridor provides scenic views and a haven for native fish and wildlife including bald eagles, osprey, fox and bear. With a rich natural and human history including Dakota, Ojibwe, Voyageurs, loggers and settlers, traveling the St. Croix Scenic Riverway gives students a chance to enjoy a wilderness-like experience while connecting to the past within easy reach of a major metropolitan area. These regions are the ancestral lands of the Anishinabewaki ᐊᓂᔑᓈᐯᐗᑭ, Očeti Šakówiŋ (Sioux) and Wahpekute nations.
Superior Hiking Trail, Minnesota
On the southern edge of a massive a granite rock formation known as the Canadian Shield, which runs from Minnesota all the way to Hudson Bay and the Northwest Territories sits the largest freshwater lake in the world, Lake Superior. The Superior Hiking Trail is a 296-mile footpath that largely follows the rocky ridgeline above Lake Superior on Minnesota's North Shore from Duluth to the Canadian border. Well-marked trails, campsites and challenging terrain make this a perfect thru-hike destination.
National Geographic says the Superior Hiking Trail “is the best long hike in the country between the Continental Divide and the Appalachian Trail.” At its lowest elevation, along the lakeshore, the trail is 602 feet above sea level. At its highest point the trail is 1,750 feet above sea level and more than 1,000 feet above Lake Superior. The Superior Hiking Trail is characterized by ascents to rock outcroppings and cliffs and descents into numerous river and creek valleys that feature abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. These regions are the ancestral lands of the Anishinabewaki ᐊᓂᔑᓈᐯᐗᑭ, Métis and Očeti Šakówiŋ (Sioux) nations.
Course Stories
I connected with people I never thought I would. I will never forget the characters on this trip. I learned that staying positive makes everything more enjoyable. I had a great time.
I’m glad I learned how to control a canoe and set up a tent. But what I’m most happy of learning is how to work as a crew. I have learned and completed so much on this course!
I loved this course so much! The Solo challenge was so tranquil and it was fun to relax. My Instructors are so nice and helpful. Although backpacking was hard, it was really satisfying getting to the campsites. Building fires and sitting around them for evening meeting was fun. I also made new friends and this entire experience was awesome!
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Getting Started
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To secure your spot on a course you must submit an enrollment form and $500 deposit that is applied toward the total cost of the course and includes a $150 non-refundable enrollment processing fee.