Polk County: local rooms, events and more

Photo: Cglenn3932 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Countryside and towns · Wisconsin · 45k people

Polk County

Where the northwoods meet the river.

Forest GreenRiver BlueSunset Gold

Welcome to Polk County, where the St. Croix River runs deep and the lakes are full of fish. Grab a seat at a supper club, ask a local about the best fishing spot, and you'll fit right in.

Clubs for Polk County

No clubs for Polk County yet.

The room

Polk County Quiet now Where the northwoods meet the river.

One room for everyone around Polk County. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.

Ask the neighbours

All

A good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.

Coming up

No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.

Marketplace

Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Polk County. Sign in to sell something.

Things to do

Interstate State Park Glacial potholes and St. Croix River bluffs
St. Croix National Scenic Riverway Protected river corridor for paddling and fishing
Balsam Lake Largest lake in the county, great for fishing and boating
Apple River Tubing and canoeing hotspot in summer
Cascade Falls (Osceola) Scenic waterfall in downtown Osceola
Gandy Dancer Trail Rail trail for biking, hiking, and snowmobiling

Outdoors Paddle the St. Croix River
Outdoors Hike the pothole trail at Interstate State Park
With kids Visit the Polk County Fair
With kids Swim at Lake Wapogasset
Evenings Supper club dinners
Evenings Small-town taverns
Locals love Supper clubs
Locals love Lakeside resorts

Through the year

Polk County Fair August The county fair with livestock, rides, and local food
St. Croix Riverfest July Live music and river activities in St. Croix Falls
Osceola Days July Small-town celebration with parade and carnival
Amery Water Ski Show summer weekends Weekly water ski performances on Lake Wapogasset
Balsam Lake Musky Festival June Fishing tournament and family fun on Balsam Lake

Polk County has a classic Upper Midwest climate with four distinct seasons. Winters are cold and snowy, summers are warm and pleasant, and the best time to be outside is from late spring through early fall. Best: Summer is the prime time to be out—warm days, cool nights, and plenty of lake activities.

Talk like a local

“Fish fry”: A classic Wisconsin term for a fish fry or a gathering at a supper club
“Old-fashioned”: A drink made with brandy, sweet/sour, and a splash of soda, a supper club staple
“St. Croix”: Local pronunciation of the town St. Croix Falls
“Pothole lake”: A term for a small, quiet lake

Getaways

Twin Cities (Minneapolis-St. Paul) Big-city museums, dining, and pro sports
Hayward Northwoods resort town with the American Birkebeiner ski race
Rice Lake Lake town with fishing and small-town charm
Menomonie Home to UW-Stout and the Red Cedar River

Local flavour

Teams

St. Croix River Hounds Northwoods League

Also rooting for Minnesota Vikings (NFL), Minnesota Twins (MLB), Minnesota Wild (NHL), Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA), Green Bay Packers (NFL), Milwaukee Brewers (MLB), Milwaukee Bucks (NBA), University of Wisconsin Badgers (NCAA), University of Minnesota Golden Gophers (NCAA)

Eat and drink

Friday fish fry A supper club staple, often with walleye or perch
Cheese curds Fresh, squeaky, and often fried
Supper club prime rib Classic Wisconsin supper club fare
Norwegian lefse A heritage flatbread from the area's Scandinavian roots
Wild rice soup A nod to the region's lakes and Native American food traditions

Where people go

Supper clubs Iconic Wisconsin dining institutions with old-fashioned charm
Lakeside resorts Family cabins and lodges along the many lakes
Bait shops Essential stops for fishing trips
Small-town diners Gathering places for coffee and local news
St. Croix National Scenic Riverway A protected waterway with scenic bluffs and forests
State parks Hiking, camping, and waterfalls

Make this page better

Know a place, a festival, a word locals use, or something here that's wrong? Suggest it; someone at Popchat checks every one.

Nearby

Every area

Rice LakeWisconsinWhere every lake has a story.MenomonieWisconsinLakeside charm, midwestern heart.HaywardWisconsinLakes, pines, and a slower pace.Twin CitiesMinnesotaWhere the lakes never end and the welcome never stops.Red WingMinnesotaRiver town pride, bluff country soul.Eau ClaireWisconsinWhere the rivers hum and the hops flow.FaribaultMinnesotaRiver towns, college spirit, and prairie calm.RochesterMinnesotaWhere healing and heartland meet

Polk County, WI. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.