A scenic countryside drive from St. Paul to the St. Croix Valley, winding through lakes, hills, and small towns. Ends at Gasthaus Bavarian Hunter in Stillwater for lunch (individual payment).
🌅 Route Summary
• Date: August 10, 2025
• Start Location: InterMarque Sunday Morning – Associated Dentists 1371 7th St W, St Paul, MN
• Start Time: Meetup beginning at 9AM | Departure at 10:00 AM
• End Location: Gasthaus Bavarian Hunter 8390 Lofton Ave N, Stillwater, MN
• Total Distance: ~72 miles
• Total Drive Time: ~1 hour 45 minutes plus a marshalling break
đźš— Attached is a pdf of the Google Maps directions.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nxUQpb6NIt3VJG1nwT11cQzVyuJVqNtL/view?usp=sharing
đź“Ť Route Highlights
This scenic route is a rewarding 72-mile journey blending riverfront charm, small-town character, and countryside serenity. The drive begins at the InterMarque Sunday Morning gathering at Associated Dentists in St. Paul, cruising along Shepard Road with views of the Mississippi River and downtown skyline. After navigating through the East Side on Payne Avenue and Parkway Drive, the route joins historic US-61 North, leading toward the lakeside communities of Maplewood and White Bear Lake.
🛑 Marshalling Point – White Bear Lake County Park
5050 Lake Ave, White Bear Lake, MN
Drivers can pause and regroup, a perfect marshaling point with restrooms and shaded areas for staging the next leg of the trip.
🏞️ White Bear to St. Croix Scenic Byway.
The route follows Manning Avenue north into the countryside, carving through fields and tree-lined stretches that define Scandia and May Township. The drive takes a more rural turn along Oakhill Road and the St. Croix Scenic Byway, a beloved route for its sweeping corners, rustic barns, and glimpses of the river valley below. A series of charming backroads—including Nason Hill, Paul Avenue, and Square Lake Trail—offer a blend of spirited turns and scenic tranquility.
🌲 The final portion of the drive traces a delightful southern curve back toward Stillwater. Following Ostrum Trail through Marine on St. Croix, the route returns to MN-95 and eventually cuts west along Dellwood Road. This elegant stretch includes a roundabout at Manning Avenue and quiet residential roads that signal the final approach. Drivers arrive at the Gasthaus Bavarian Hunter, tucked in a wooded clearing. With its outdoor biergarten, hearty Bavarian menu, and rustic setting, the Gasthaus is a fitting final destination for a spirited and scenic group drive through some of the most beautiful backroads in the Twin Cities metro.
🍻 End: Gasthaus Bavarian Hunter, 8390 Lofton Ave N, Stillwater, MN 55082
During the Summer, Gasthaus has an outdoor Biergarten open weekends from noon to 6 pm. For those interested, we can grab a bite at the restaurant or outdoor at the biergarten. Everyone will pay the restaurant directly. Here’s a link to the restaurant website and info about the biergarten festivities.
https://gasthausbavarianhunter.com
https://gasthausbavarianhunter.com/2025-biergarten/
Many thanks to Horace Beale from the Jaguar Club of Minnesota for graciously sharing the route and inspiration for lunch venue.
Looking forward to the third MNMB Sommerfarhen 2025 drive!
Cheers,
Joe VanLoy
MNMB – Mercedes Benz Club of Minnesota
If the weather appears to be not cooperating, postponement or cancelation will be indicated in email and updated on the MNMB Facebook page.
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