Pemble's Access
River Falls, Wisconsin · on Lake Saint Croix
Verified · 3 independent sources
- WATER
- river
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- Yes, see below
- SEASON
- May
About Pemble's Access
Pemble's Access is a small carry-in access on the St. Croix River managed by the Town of Troy in St. Croix County, Wisconsin, located off Glenmont Road a few miles from River Falls, WI. This unguarded, sandy swimming hole gives swimmers a stretch of river to swim in, with a beach for sunbathing and launching non-motorized watercraft such as canoes and kayaks.
The access sits in the southwest corner of the Town of Troy on the wide, lake-like stretch of the St. Croix River (mapped hydrographically as Lake Saint Croix), reached via a dead-end gated road off Glenmont Road that leads down a hill to a small sandy beach.
Swimming at Pemble's Access
A small, unguarded sandy beach on the St. Croix River suited to casual wading, sunbathing, and swimming rather than long-distance swimming; one visitor described it as 'one of the nicest little hidden beaches on the Saint Croix' while noting it is 'very small.' There is no lifeguard, and swimmers are on their own for judging current and depth.
How to get to this swimming hole
Located at 193 Glenmont Road in the Town of Troy, St. Croix County, Wisconsin (southwest corner of the township), a few miles from River Falls, WI. The site is reached via a short, gated dead-end access road off Glenmont Road that descends to the beach; the gate is opened and closed only by Town of Troy staff during operating hours.
Parking: 16 marked public first-come, first-served spaces at the top of the hill near the access; parking on Glenmont Road itself or beyond the marked spaces is prohibited and subject to citation/towing, per the Town ordinance.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. No trail or hike is needed. Cars park in the 16 marked spaces at the top of the hill, then it's a short walk down the gated, Town-staff-controlled access road/hill to the sandy beach (no formal trail name; official sources don't give an exact walk distance, but the descent is short, roughly a couple hundred feet).
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Sandy beach entry makes wading easy for kids, but the Town of Troy ordinance is explicit that the beach is unguarded and swimming is at the swimmer's own risk (no lifeguard). It sits on the wide, lake-like Lake St. Croix stretch of the St. Croix River where depth can drop off quickly away from shore and boat traffic passes nearby in-season, so young kids should be watched closely rather than left to swim unsupervised.
Parking
Free
16 marked, first-come first-served spaces at the top of the hill by the gated entrance road; parking on Glenmont Road itself or outside the marked spaces is prohibited and can be cited/towed per Town of Troy ordinance Ch. 109.
Restrooms
Yes
One portable (vault-style/porta-john) restroom on site, per the Town of Troy's official page; no permanent restroom building.
Hours
Daily 10:00 a.m. to one-half hour after sunset, Memorial Day through Labor Day; weekends only in May and September; closed Oct 1-Apr 30; also closed anytime the St. Croix River gauge at Stillwater, MN exceeds 683 ft.
On the water
Restrictions: Non-motorized, carry-in watercraft only. Town of Troy ordinance Ch. 109 explicitly bans motorized watercraft/personal watercraft (jet skis) and boat trailers at the access - there is no boat ramp, so craft must be hand-carried down from the parking area to the beach.
Because it's carry-in only with no ramp, this spot suits kayaks/canoes/SUPs light enough to portage down the hill, not trailered motorboats.
Rentals nearby
Kayak rentals and guided paddle tours (e.g., 'Herons & History' tours) on the St. Croix River around Stillwater, MN
Prices: Kayak rental ~$30/person as part of guided Wellness Paddles; ~$40/person rental add-on for club paddles; guided tours from ~$55/person
Based out of the Stillwater, MN / White Bear Lake, MN area, roughly 12 miles upstream (straight-line) from Pemble's Access on the Lake St. Croix stretch of the river · Seasonal, scheduled by specific dates/times (e.g., an 8:30-11am July tour) - not a walk-in rental counter; contact for current schedule
What regulars say
One visitor called Pemble's Access 'one of the nicest little hidden beaches on the Saint Croix,' while also noting it is 'very small,' consistent with it being a compact carry-in beach rather than a large swimming area.
Backstory
Formerly known as 'Pemble's Beach' before being formally renamed 'Pemble's Access' under Town of Troy ordinance. Unverified local lore holds that a Mr. Pemble donated the land to Troy Township specifically to spite neighbors he disliked.
Pemble's Access: FAQ
Does Pemble's Access charge a fee?
No specific current fee is posted in sources found; the Town ordinance reserves the right for the Town Board to set fees, which would be posted on signage at the access if in effect.
Is Pemble's Access kid friendly?
Sandy beach entry makes wading easy for kids, but the Town of Troy ordinance is explicit that the beach is unguarded and swimming is at the swimmer's own risk (no lifeguard). It sits on the wide, lake-like Lake St. Croix stretch of the St. Croix River where depth can drop off quickly away from shore and boat traffic passes nearby in-season, so young kids should be watched closely rather than left to swim unsupervised.
Do I need to hike to reach Pemble's Access?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Pemble's Access?
16 marked, first-come first-served spaces at the top of the hill by the gated entrance road; parking on Glenmont Road itself or outside the marked spaces is prohibited and can be cited/towed per Town of Troy ordinance Ch. 109.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Pemble's Access?
Because it's carry-in only with no ramp, this spot suits kayaks/canoes/SUPs light enough to portage down the hill, not trailered motorboats.
When is the best time to visit Pemble's Access?
Memorial Day through Labor Day (site's main open season); also open weekends in May and September.
What are the rules at Pemble's Access?
Open seasonally: daily Memorial Day through Labor Day, and weekends only during May and September, 10:00 a.m. to one-half hour after sunset; closed October 1-April 30 and also closed if the river gauge at Stillwater, MN exceeds 683 ft. Prohibited: pets (except service animals), motorized watercraft/personal watercraft, boat trailers, alcohol/open containers, illegal drugs, glass containers, fires, fireworks, nudity, camping/overnight stays, and dirt bikes/ATVs/snowmobiles. Swimming is at one's own risk with no lifeguard on duty.
What water body is Pemble's Access on?
Pemble's Access is on Lake Saint Croix, a natural river verified in USGS hydrography data.
