North and south of Hudson, the St. Croix looks much like a lake especially south of the Interstate 94 bridge where the river widens until it reaches a narrower stretch at Afton, Minnesota. This stretch of the river and the islands near Hudson are often crowded with boats in good weather.

To have some parts flowing free again . . . with deer grazing on its banks . . . ducks and geese raising their young in the backwaters . . . eddies and twists and turns for canoeists . . . and fishing opportunities . . . would be the finest possible tribute . . . and a priceless gift for our children.

     — Stephen Ambrose, Undaunted Courage