This Important Bird Area is located east and northeast of Minneapolis/St. Paul on the eastern border of Minnesota along the St. Croix River. It extends roughly 25 miles north from Stillwater, MN to the Exel Energy dam at Taylors Falls, MN. It includes all land within the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, Interstate Park, William O'Brien State Park, St. Croix State Game Refuge and Falls Creek State Natural Area.

This area can be accessed either by boat or by car, generally from MN Highway 95 or US Highway 8. Parking areas are located in the state parks, at Falls Creek State Natural Area off MN Highway 95 and at the Boomsite Wayside, scenic overlook, boat ramp and historical marker just north of Stillwater. Boats can be launched all these locations as well as a small ramp at Franconia and Log House Landing in Copas, just north of William O'Brien State Park. A small canoe launching site is located in the village of Marine-on-St. Croix. Skiing and/or hiking trails are located in the state parks and an informal trail can be found at Falls Creek. A bike trail goes northward from Marine-on-St. Croix through William O'Brien State Park and terminates at the junction of MN highways 95 and 97. Several county and local roads also traverse parts of the area.

New cell towers, wind towers and power lines are proposed along the bluffs overlooking the St. Croix River each year. Deforestation, primarily linked to housing developments, and recreational use of the river with possible disturbance to colonial nesting birds and bald eaglesis are ongoing threats. Several gravel pits operate within this area, just back of the bluff line. All the forests in this area are susceptible to infestation by common buckthorn and the plant already forms dense thickets. A 300+ acre patch of garlic mustard is located across the river from Arcola Mills. Purple loosestrife is present but mostly removed annually. Other exotic plants being monitored and/or controlled include Grecian foxglove and nodding thistle. Nodding thistle is spreading rapidly in Washington County and is found in scattered locations within this area. Pesticides from agriculture and lawn management are a concern and are present in the river.