A Farm Gal Guide to
Living in Prescott,
Wisconsin

Prescott, Wisconsin sits right where the St. Croix River meets the Mississippi, in the far northwest corner of Pierce County. It is a town of about 4,500 people that blends small-town Wisconsin character with river town energy and proximity to the Twin Cities.

I work with buyers and sellers across Pierce County and the surrounding area, and Prescott is one of those towns that keeps coming up in conversations. People are drawn to the river access, the bluff country landscape, and the fact that you can be downtown Stillwater or Hudson in 20 minutes while living on real rural ground. Here is what you need to know about living in Prescott.

Location and River Setting

Prescott's location is its biggest asset. It sits at the confluence of two major rivers, which gives it a waterfront character that most Wisconsin towns of its size cannot match. The St. Croix River comes down from the north, the Mississippi rolls in from the east, and the two merge right below the downtown bluffs.

The city runs along the river bottoms and climbs up the bluffs to the east and south. The views are spectacular. You get wide river vistas, bluffs on both sides, and the kind of scenery that makes people pull over and take pictures. The Great River Road Visitor Center at Freedom Park is a popular stop, with interpretive displays about the river and the region.

Prescott is about 15 minutes from Hudson, 20 minutes from Stillwater, Minnesota, and about 35 minutes from downtown St. Paul. That proximity to the metro area makes it attractive for buyers who want rural property without a long commute. I have clients who work in the Twin Cities and live on 20, 40, or 80 acres in and around Prescott. They get the best of both worlds.

Community Character

Prescott has the feel of a town that knows exactly what it is. It is not trying to be something it is not. The downtown runs along Broad Street with a mix of local businesses, restaurants, and services. The historic buildings give it character, and the riverfront parks give it a recreational focus that draws people year-round.

The town has a strong sense of community. The Prescott Community Center hosts events throughout the year. The schools are a draw for families -- the Prescott School District serves the area with elementary through high school, and the community supports its sports and activities programs. There is also a public library on Broad Street that serves as a community gathering space.

Like a lot of river towns in western Wisconsin, Prescott has a mix of long-time residents and newcomers who moved there for the lifestyle. The balance is part of what makes it work. New people bring energy and investment. Old-timers keep the traditions alive. It is a healthy dynamic when it works, and in Prescott, it seems to work.

Things to Do in Prescott

For a town of 4,500, Prescott has a surprising amount to offer. The river drives the recreation calendar, but there is plenty beyond the water.

River recreation is the headline. The St. Croix and Mississippi offer fishing, boating, kayaking, and paddleboarding. The Point St. Croix Marina and Pub (known locally as the Shrimp Shack) is a popular spot for boaters and anyone who wants to eat on the water. The docks fill up on summer weekends, and the sunset views from the river are hard to beat anywhere in the state.

Hiking and biking are accessible through Freedom Park and the surrounding bluff country. Point Douglas Park on the south end of town offers camping, hiking trails, and Mississippi River access. The trails along the river bluffs give you views that stretch for miles.

Local food and drink -- The Twisted Oak Coffee House on Broad Street is a great spot for coffee and conversation. Philander's Grill and Bar on Highway 10 is a reliable place for a meal. Muddy Waters Bar and Grill on Broad Street has good food and a friendly bar. Two Rivers Lodge and Ichiddo Ramen round out the downtown dining scene. For a small town, you have options.

The Orange Dragon Art Gallery is worth a visit. It is a community art space on Broad Street that features local and regional artists. It is the kind of thing you do not expect in a town the size of Prescott, and it adds to the character of the downtown.

Golf -- Clifton Highlands Golf Course sits just outside town and offers nine holes with river valley views. It is a solid course that sees steady play through the season.

Rural Property in the Prescott Area

The Prescott market is shaped by its proximity to the Twin Cities. That creates demand from metro-area buyers who want recreational land, hobby farms, and rural homes within striking distance of their jobs. It also means prices are generally higher than areas farther east or south in Pierce County.

The most common rural property types in the Prescott area include:

• Riverfront and bluff lots -- These are the most sought-after and the most expensive. A 5- to 10-acre lot with St. Croix or Mississippi river frontage can command a significant premium. Buyers are looking for building sites with views, privacy, and water access.
• Hobby farms and acreages -- Properties in the 10- to 40-acre range with a mix of open ground and timber are popular with buyers who want space for horses, cattle, or simply the rural lifestyle without the full-time commitment of a working farm.
• Tillable farm ground -- The farmland in the Prescott area is productive but fragmented. You find good corn and soybean ground in the river bottoms and on the bench above the river, but it competes with development pressure from the metro area.
• Timber and recreational tracts -- The bluffs are thick with oak, hickory, and maple, and the hunting is good. Deer, turkey, and small game are plentiful. Properties with a mix of timber and river access get the most attention from recreational buyers.

What You Need to Know

• Prescott is 15 minutes from Hudson and 20 minutes from Stillwater, MN for shopping, dining, and healthcare.
• The Prescott School District serves the area with strong academic and extracurricular programs.
• The St. Croix and Mississippi Rivers provide year-round recreation. Fishing for walleye, smallmouth bass, and catfish is excellent.
• The Great River Road runs through Prescott and connects to the full Mississippi River trail system.
• The Prescott area is growing, with new residential development on the edges of town. Rural land values have appreciated steadily as metro-area buyers discover the area.
• If you want land with privacy and acreage, look east of town toward the bluff country. You get more ground for your dollar the farther you get from the river.

The Farm Gal Take

Prescott is one of those places where the location does the talking. It has the river, the bluffs, the small-town community, and the metro proximity that buyers are looking for. If you are buying, you are paying for that location, and I think it is worth it. If you are selling, you have the advantage of a market that draws interest from both local buyers and Twin Cities commuters.

I cover Pierce County regularly and know the Prescott market well. If you are thinking about buying or selling property in the Prescott area, I can help you figure out what the right move is. Give me a call and let us talk about what you are looking for.