Field guide
Shafer is a town of about 1,100 people on U.S. Highway 8, between the Chisago lakes and the St. Croix River gorge. Here's what's close, with honest drive times.
Source: Shafer, Minnesota (2020 census population). All sources
From the Shafer Terrace entrance. Free-flow estimates; rush hour runs longer.
| To | Miles | Minutes |
|---|---|---|
| Center City | 3.8 | 5 |
| Interstate State Park | 4.7 | 6 |
| Taylors Falls | 5.7 | 7 |
| Lindstrom | 5.4 | 7 |
| Franconia Sculpture Park | 3.8 | 8 |
| St. Croix Falls, WI | 6.8 | 10 |
| Chisago City | 8.0 | 10 |
| Forest Lake and I-35 | 16.3 | 21 |
| Wyoming (Fairview Lakes hospital) | 14.7 | 23 |
| Wild Mountain | 12.8 | 25 |
| North Branch | 17.2 | 25 |
| Stillwater | 26.5 | 38 |
| Downtown St. Paul | 43.5 | about 60 |
| Downtown Minneapolis | 46.4 | about 60 |
Source: Drive times: OSRM routing from the Shafer Terrace entrance, free-flow (no traffic). All sources
Downtown St. Paul or Minneapolis is about an hour. If you work in the north metro, Forest Lake and I-35 are about 20 minutes, and some of the county's biggest employers are closer than that.
Two trailheads in Shafer
A 20-mile planned multi-use trail. The Shafer trailheads are at 30320 Redwing Ave and 30269 Tern Ave, and the open paved stretch, about 6.7 miles, runs from Shafer to Taylors Falls.
Sources: Chisago County, Swedish Immigrant Regional Trail; TrailLink, Swedish Immigrant Regional Trail (6.7-mile segment). All sources
About 6 minutes
Created in 1895, the second-oldest state park in Minnesota and the first U.S. park located in two states. More than 200 glacial potholes, including the 60-foot "Bottomless Pit."
About 8 minutes
Free and open 365 days a year, 8am to 8pm, with a monthly art and farmers market.
Source: Franconia Sculpture Park. All sources
About 10 minutes to headquarters
The St. Croix and Namekagon rivers together give more than 200 miles of protected water. Riverway headquarters is in St. Croix Falls.
Source: National Park Service, St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. All sources
West of town
A canoe and kayak loop across the Chisago lakes, with portages and campsites. Access at Ojiketa Park in Chisago City and Kichisaga Park in Lindstrom.
About 25 minutes
Ski and snowboard area north of Taylors Falls.
Source: Wild Mountain. All sources
Walking distance
The listing agent for one home in Shafer Terrace counted two restaurant/bar establishments and a gas station within walking distance.
Source: Coldwell Banker listing, a home in Shafer Terrace (sold 2026-02-20). All sources
Work nearby
Employee counts from the county's list. The list is undated.
Source: Chisago County, Transportation and Employers (undated county PDF). All sources
Both communities stay close to full. The list is how you get in.