Facility Overview

The Houlton Park and Ride is an expansive, well-maintained municipal open-air surface lot strategically positioned at 1355 Hawk Street in Houlton, Wisconsin (Town of St. Joseph, St. Croix County). Located directly adjacent to Wisconsin State Highway 64 and just across the St. Croix River from historic Stillwater, Minnesota, this facility functions both as a vital regional commuter hub and as a major recreational gateway. Because it is a ground-level, uncovered parking facility, it has no vertical clearance restrictions, making it exceptionally accommodating for oversized vehicles, high-roof cargo and passenger vans, full-size pickup trucks, SUVs equipped with roof cargo boxes, and vehicles outfitted with bicycle racks.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Situated right on the Wisconsin side of the scenic St. Croix River valley, the lot provides immediate access to regional attractions and outdoor recreation:

• St. Croix River Crossing Loop Trail: The lot serves as an official trailhead for the popular 4.7-mile paved St. Croix Crossing Loop Trail, which guides walkers and cyclists over both the modern St. Croix River Crossing bridge and the historic Stillwater Lift Bridge.
• Historic Downtown Stillwater, MN: Located just 2.5 miles across the river (roughly a 5-minute drive or an enjoyable bike ride), offering iconic riverfront restaurants, boutique shops, rooftop bars, and seasonal festivals along the water.
• Perro Creek & St. Croix River Recreation: Positioned within minutes of local marinas, boat launches, and riverfront parks popular for fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding.
• Twin Cities Metro Commuter Corridor: Approximately 25 miles east of downtown St. Paul and 35 miles from downtown Minneapolis via MN-36 West, making it a critical staging area for carpools and vanpools.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

The facility is engineered for seamless vehicle ingress and egress, situated just off County Road E / Hawk Street with direct, non-congested access to the WI-64 expressway and the St. Croix Crossing bridge connecting into Minnesota State Highway 36. Wide driving aisles allow effortless turning and maneuvering during early morning and late afternoon commute hours. While scheduled fixed-route transit buses do not directly service the lot, it is an officially designated Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) carpool and vanpool exchange point, offering streamlined ridesharing connectivity across the state line into the Minneapolis–St. Paul metropolitan area.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Ample standard paved surface parking bays with clear striping and wide access lanes
• Designated ADA-accessible parking spaces situated near trail connection paths
• Zero height limits, suitable for high-clearance trucks, work vans, and vehicles with rooftop sports gear
• Direct paved connector path leading straight onto the St. Croix Crossing regional trail network
• Overnight commuter parking permitted for rideshare participants (adhering to posted municipal limits)
• Modern overhead LED area lighting for increased visibility and evening security
• Free public parking with no parking meters or reservation fees required

Ideal For

• Twin Cities Commuters: Regional workers meeting carpool partners or vanpool drivers to commute westward toward St. Paul and Minneapolis along the Highway 36 corridor.
• Cyclists and Runners: Active outdoor enthusiasts seeking easy, free vehicle staging to complete the scenic cross-border St. Croix River Loop Trail.
• Day Visitors to Stillwater: Drivers looking to bypass downtown Stillwater traffic or bridge congestion by parking on the Wisconsin side to bike or walk into town.
• Boat and River Recreationists: Visitors transporting kayaks, canoes, or outdoor gear heading to local St. Croix County river parks.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Parking at this facility is completely free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis. Commuters are advised that the lot sees regular morning usage on weekdays between 6:30 AM and 8:30 AM. On warm, sunny weekends and fall foliage peak days, the lot frequently fills with recreational trail users, so arriving before 10:00 AM is recommended to secure a prime stall. For overnight carpooling, ensure your vehicle is locked, valuables are hidden out of plain sight, and your vehicle is positioned well within marked boundary lines to facilitate snow plowing during winter months.