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St. Croix River Summer House in Scandia, Waterfront Access & Stunning Views.
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Reviews
8.8 out of 10
Excellent
4 bedrooms 2 bathrooms Sleeps 8 185.8 sq m
Popular amenities
Explore the area

Scandia, MN
- William O'Brien State Park3 min drive
- Osceola & St. Croix Valley Railway14 min drive
- Somerset Amphitheater34 min drive
- St. Paul, MN (STP-St. Paul Downtown)52 min drive
Rooms & beds
4 bedrooms (sleeps 8)
Attached sleeping porch
2 Single Beds
Bedroom 1
2 Single Beds
Bedroom 2
2 Single Beds
Bedroom 3
2 Single Beds
2 bathrooms
North Bathroom
Bathtub or shower · Toilet
Outdoor Shower
Outdoor shower
South Bathroom
Toilet · Shower only
Spaces
Deck or patio
Outdoor shower
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area
About this property
St. Croix River Summer House in Scandia, Waterfront Access & Stunning Views.
Our house on the St. Croix River, less than an hour from the Twin Cities, was built as a summer home by my parents, on a larger property in the family since 1912. The house is surrounded by towering white pines and enjoys an elevated site overlooking the River banks, offering unparalleled views and easy access down a short path to the shore and boat landing. The St. Croix is a federally-protected National Scenic River, with no development on the Wisconsin hills opposite the house, so the setting is pristine, quiet, and unspoiled. The water is clean, the bottom is sandy, and the swimming is great, as is the fishing. 1 canoe and 2 kayaks are available renter use.
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Originally built in 1940, the house has been added to and updated over the years. Master bedroom suite added in 1959 (renovated in 1993), and the kitchen enlarged & fully remodeled also in 1993. Facing the river is a flagstone terrace, outside fireplace, front lawn with eating table, outdoor seating, a hammock, and bird feeders. Goldfinches, woodpeckers and Hummingbirds (if sugar water is made) are regulars here. If the peanut feeder is kept full you're likely to hear and see the spectacular pileated woodpecker pay a visit.
There are three (3) bedrooms with twin beds, one an expansive master bedroom, with laundry room and bathroom. A screened sleeping porch, accessible through another bedroom, has two more beds and can be great for kids. One bathroom has a tub and shower and the other bath has a stall shower. In addition, there is an excellent outside shower by the kitchen steps. Kitchen is fully equipped, with daybed/couch and eating table, plus a pass-through to the dining room area. The large living room is comfortably furnished, has a bow-front with large windows facing the river. The fireplace now has an efficient cast-iron insert that warms the room very well. Kitchen and master bedroom both have ceiling fans and there are several portable fans available
Close to the house is a tennis court, shared between 2 other families. Just north of house is a deep shady ravine with a spectacular double waterfall and pristine stream that flows into the river next to the house. Fishing is good up and down the shoreline or from the dock.
Next to the property is a public boat-launching ramp, and just a mile south is the William O'Brien State Park, with camping sites, hiking trails, and boat launching ramp and separate swimming pond. The closest town, 10 minutes south, is the historic village of Marine-on-St-Croix, once a major sawmill for the white pine logging industry during the mid-to-late 19th and early 20th century, when huge log drives were the principal traffic on the river. The larger town of Stillwater,18 miles south on the river, was also a major center of the lumberjack era and today offers antique shops, paddlewheel steamboats and numerous restaurants. The town of Taylor's Falls, known for rock climbing and Interstate Park at the spectacular Dalles, is an equal distance upriver to the north.
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Originally built in 1940, the house has been added to and updated over the years. Master bedroom suite added in 1959 (renovated in 1993), and the kitchen enlarged & fully remodeled also in 1993. Facing the river is a flagstone terrace, outside fireplace, front lawn with eating table, outdoor seating, a hammock, and bird feeders. Goldfinches, woodpeckers and Hummingbirds (if sugar water is made) are regulars here. If the peanut feeder is kept full you're likely to hear and see the spectacular pileated woodpecker pay a visit.
There are three (3) bedrooms with twin beds, one an expansive master bedroom, with laundry room and bathroom. A screened sleeping porch, accessible through another bedroom, has two more beds and can be great for kids. One bathroom has a tub and shower and the other bath has a stall shower. In addition, there is an excellent outside shower by the kitchen steps. Kitchen is fully equipped, with daybed/couch and eating table, plus a pass-through to the dining room area. The large living room is comfortably furnished, has a bow-front with large windows facing the river. The fireplace now has an efficient cast-iron insert that warms the room very well. Kitchen and master bedroom both have ceiling fans and there are several portable fans available
Close to the house is a tennis court, shared between 2 other families. Just north of house is a deep shady ravine with a spectacular double waterfall and pristine stream that flows into the river next to the house. Fishing is good up and down the shoreline or from the dock.
Next to the property is a public boat-launching ramp, and just a mile south is the William O'Brien State Park, with camping sites, hiking trails, and boat launching ramp and separate swimming pond. The closest town, 10 minutes south, is the historic village of Marine-on-St-Croix, once a major sawmill for the white pine logging industry during the mid-to-late 19th and early 20th century, when huge log drives were the principal traffic on the river. The larger town of Stillwater,18 miles south on the river, was also a major center of the lumberjack era and today offers antique shops, paddlewheel steamboats and numerous restaurants. The town of Taylor's Falls, known for rock climbing and Interstate Park at the spectacular Dalles, is an equal distance upriver to the north.
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Amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Outdoor space
Parking available
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House Rules
Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
Children
Children allowed: ages 0–17
Events
No events allowed
Pets
Pets allowed: dogs (limit 2 total)
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Check-out instructions
The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Start the dishwasher
Strip any used beds and gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights, lock the doors and return the keys
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
About the area
Scandia
Located in Scandia, this cottage is in a rural area and on the waterfront. William O'Brien State Park and Rutstrum Wildlife Management Area reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Osceola & St. Croix Valley Railway and River's Edge Apple River Campground. Kayaking and power boating offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with rock climbing and cycling nearby.

Scandia, MN
What's nearby
- Rustic Roots - 3 min drive - 1.8 km
- William O'Brien State Park - 3 min drive - 2.9 km
- Osceola & St. Croix Valley Railway - 14 min drive - 14.6 km
- Farmington Bottoms State Natural Area - 33 min drive - 27.4 km
- Somerset Amphitheater - 34 min drive - 24.6 km
Getting around
Restaurants
- Scandia Pizza - 5 min drive
- Subway - 14 min drive
- Meister's Bar & Grill - 5 min drive
- PY's Bar - 13 min drive
- St Croix Chocolate Co. - 6 min drive
Frequently asked questions
About the host
Hosted by Edmund Summersby

During most of the year my wife and I live in Masschusetts, but every August and September we look forward to our St. Croix River House, where I spent every summer of my youth with a large band of cousins and friends whom we still see every year. It's a special place, close to our hearts, and every June and July we offer it for rent to others to enjoy life on the St. Croix.
Why they chose this property
The property has been in my family since long before my time. My grandfather built the original house in 1912, now owned by our cousins, located along the river 100 yards downsteam from our house. My connections to this place go back a long way, and we care deeply about it.
What makes this property unique
Unique to our property is the close proximity of the house to the river, with easy access to swimming, fishing, canoeing and kayaking and use of a shared dock. Many birds make the river home, including Woodpeckers, Swallows (darting across the water), Great Blue Herons and Bald Eagles, which have been long-term residents in the sloughs directly across the river channel. Beavers and muskrats are also not uncommon visitors. Being so close to the river allows us to experience the river in all its splendor and sometimes dramatic moods. Reclining in the front yard and watching the moon rising over darkened Wisconsin hills and reflecting in the the calm waters of the St. Croix is a sublime experience.
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