Major city · United States
River Falls
Half a day for the Kinnickinnic River and a meal; one night if you fish or paddle. Not a base for the region.
River Falls is a small Wisconsin city on the Kinnickinnic River, a world-class trout stream. The river, the university campus and a state park are the draws. Most visitors come for a few hours of fishing or kayaking, then move on to Hudson or Eau Claire.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Jan–Feb (cold, river ice)
- Airport
- MSP
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for River Falls911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about River Falls, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMSP Minneapolis–Saint Paul International (About 45 min drive; most visitors fly here and rent a car.).
- Getting aroundCar is essential.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2–4
- Sit-down mealDinner entrée$14–25
- Street or quick mealLunch sandwich$8–13
- BeerBeer (tap)$5–7
- Museum or sight ticketState park vehicle entry (WI plates)check$8
- Budget bedMotel or budget hotel room, a night, per roomUS$80
- Mid-range bedMotel or budget hotel room, a night, per roomUS$120
- High-end bedMotel or budget hotel room, a night, per roomUS$180
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$120 · High US$200
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MSP Minneapolis–Saint Paul International (About 45 min drive; most visitors fly here and rent a car.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
Feb
Avoid
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Mar
not flagged
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Apr
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
May
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jun
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jul
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
not flagged
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Dec
not flagged
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jan (−14°C (7°F)7°F (−14°C) low), wettest May (11 rain days), driest Feb (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
River Falls: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
−14°C (7°F)7°F (−14°C)
8 rd
Feb
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C)
7 rd
Mar
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
9 rd
Apr
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
10 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
11 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
11 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
10 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
9 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
8 rd
Nov
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
8 rd
Dec
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Car is essential. The town is compact but the state park and river access points are a short drive. Biking on local roads is possible in summer.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 25 min
Drive north on WI-35, about 20 min
Historic downtown on the St. Croix River; good for lunch and a walk.
Door to door: 45 min
Drive east on US-12 / I-94, about 40 min
Larger city with music venues, breweries and the Chippewa River trail.
Door to door: 40 min
Drive north on WI-35, about 35 min
Tiny river town with art galleries and a pie shop.
Door to door: 1 h 15 min
Drive north on WI-35, about 1 h 10 min
Working port town; the Bong Recreation Area and Lake Superior shoreline are the draws.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown / near the university
Walkable to restaurants and the river; Radisson and a few motels.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–90 excl. bed
- Mid
- $100–160 excl. bed
- High
- $180+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range hotel (e.g. Radisson)1 × 1 night × US$160 | US$160 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| Fishing licence (non-resident, one day)2 × US$15 · check | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$43 |
| Trip total≈ US$237 per person per day, bed included | US$473 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $2–4 |
| Lunch sandwich | $8–13 |
| Dinner entrée | $14–25 |
| Beer (tap) | $5–7 |
| State park vehicle entry (WI plates)check | $8 |
| Gas (per gallon)check | $3.20–3.80 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The Kinnickinnic River is a class 1 trout stream: check Wisconsin DNR regulations before fishing.
- Kinnickinnic State Park charges a vehicle entry fee; cash or card at the entrance.
- Winter: many businesses close early; the river freezes.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
River FallsRiver Falls
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Take me to this addressTake me to this address
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- MSP Airport → River Falls (taxi / rideshare): about $60–90, 45 min
- River Falls → Kinnickinnic State Park (drive): about 10 min, 8 km (5 mi)about 10 min, 5 mi (8 km)
Say or show
- Hello — Hello
- Thank you — Thank you
- How much is this? — How much is this?
- Where is the river access? — Where is the river access?
English is universal; no phrasebook needed.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for River Falls. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Jan–Feb (cold, river ice) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- River access points and parking verified for each season.
- Fishing licence purchase locations and DNR rules page linked.
- State park hours and fee structure confirmed for 2026.
- Winter closure dates for the park and river put in the calendar.
Sources
Ask about River Falls
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