Hiking Club

The following is a complete list of the 56 Minnesota State Park Trails that Crystal and Jason have hiked on since joining the Hiking Club.

Lake Shetek State Park

Begin your hike at the boat ramp parking area. Hike to Loon Island via the causeway, which is popular with hikers, bird watchers, and anglers. It is a great place to relax and watch the sun set. Loon Island, being surrounded by water, is a favorite spot to watch or photograph birds, deer, and other wildlife.

Length: 1.0 miles · Time: 32 minutes · Date: 10/12/2024
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Kilen Woods State Park

Find the beginning of the trail at the northeast end of the picnic area parking lot. Follow the signs to the sunny river bottom meadows of the Des Moines River Valley, then continue on until you reach the trail leading to the Oxcart Trail. At the top of the trail, enter the path leading to the Dinosaur Ridge Overlook for a grand view of the river valley. Continue along the Overlook Trail until intersecting with the Rock Creek Trail and follow the markers through areas of mesic prairie and back to the beginning of the trail.

Length: 2.0 miles · Time: 58 minutes · Date: 10/12/2024
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Big Bog State Recreation Area

Begin the Big Bog Boardwalk at the far end of Ludlow Pond in the park's North Unit. This trail brings you to many of the bog's most fascinating features. Along the way, look for signs that introduce the bog's unique and mysterious plant and animal life, as well as its rich geological and human history. At the end of the boardwalk is a viewing platform, benches, and binocular viewer.

Length: 2.0 miles · Time: 52 minutes · Date: 09/21/2024
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Scenic State Park

The trail begins across from the park office, following the hilly Tell Lake Trail to where it crosses the park entrance road. Here you switch over to the Chase Point Trail, which runs between Coon and Sandwick lakes on a narrow, pine-covered geologic formation believed by some to be an esker. After backtracking to the road, you'll go north along a boardwalk through a spruce bog. The trail returns to the park office through an old growth stand of maples.

Length: 2.9 miles · Time: 103 minutes · Date: 07/06/2024
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Rice Lake State Park

The trail, which starts and ends at the picnic shelter, will lead you through diverse areas. Hike east through the picnic area along the lakeshore, then enter the forest area to the campground. Continue along the lakeshore until entering the grasslands, then onto the group camp area, and into the forest. After crossing the entrance road, travel southwest to the boat launch area along the lake's edge, before returning to the picnic area. Watch for waterfowl during migrations.

Length: 2.4 miles · Time: 58 minutes · Date: 07/03/2022
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Sakatah Lake State Park

The trail starts in the visitor parking area near the campground entrance. Sakatah Lake is a natural widening of the Cannon River which forms a boundary between the Big Woods of the Minnesota and Mississippi River valleys and the oak barrens south of the park. See deciduous forest and wetland as you follow the Hidden Pond Trail to the Oak Tree Trail, finishing your hike on the Sumac Trail. The park was once occupied by the Wahpekute Tribe, part of the Dakota Nation.

Length: 2.2 miles · Time: 54 minutes · Date: 07/02/2022
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Nerstrand Big Woods State Park

Pick up Hidden Falls Trail behind the Visitor Center. Follow the self-guided interpretive trail as it wraps around the campground and descends to Hidden Falls, past the endangered Minnesota dwarf trout lily, a spring wildflower found only in Rice, Goodhue, and Steele counties. Cross Prairie Creek and go uphill through the tall tree canopy and open understory of Beaver Trail. Turn onto White Oak Trail crossing Oak Bridge. Look for the deeply lobed leaves of the white oak as you climb uphill. The trail turns east, crossing a bridge and walkway over ravines formed by melting glaciers more than 10,000 years ago. The trail concludes at picnic parking area.

Length: 2.2 miles · Time: 67 minutes · Date: 07/01/2022
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Flandrau State Park

The Cottonwood Trail begins on the west side of the swimming pool in the picnic area. Hike through a forest of towering cottonwood trees along the Big Cottonwood River and then through the prairie on the Grassland Trail that contains many native plants. See the progress of an oak savanna restoration taking place along the bluffs near the scenic overlooks on the Ridge and Indian Point trails. Finally, wander through a preserved maple and basswood forest on the Woodland Trail.

Length: 2.8 miles · Time: 49 minutes · Date: 08/07/2021
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Minneopa State Park

Enjoy your hike, which starts at the trail head parking area near the group camp. Follow the Scenic Loop Trail along the Minnesota River Bluff. Hike through oak savanna and native prairie grasslands overlooking the scenic Minnesota River Valley. In the summer, spot flowering plants along the way. Optional trail spurs follow Minneopa Creek to its confluence with the Minnesota River or lead you to Seppmann Mill, a wind driven grist mill built in the 1860s and fashioned in German style from native stone and lumber.

Length: 2.7 miles · Time: 50 minutes · Date: 08/06/2021
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Fort Ridgely State Park

This trail, which begins at the upper picnic shelter, meanders through the fort grounds and then follows the original Fort Road connecting Fort Ridgely State Park with St. Peter. Walk to the battleground that has been replanted with native prairie grasses and flowers. Follw the trail to a beautiful bluff trail overlooking the Minnesota River Valley.

Length: 2.6 miles · Time: 63 minutes · Date: 08/05/2021
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Split Rock Creek State Park

The trail begins at the beach area. Follow it north along the lake, also known as the Split Rock Creek Impoundment. Hike along the base of the beautiful Prairie Hill with its 1930s WPA water tower and onto the main campground area. The trail now winds through the campground past the group camp. Next, follow the trail along the prairie's edge alongside the Split Rock Creek stream from which the park takes its name. The trail then swings back to the south along the road and back over the top of the Prairie Hill and wanders south towards the Split Rock Creek dam. Hike across the dam to a small trail loop for a splendid view of the lake and then return north along the lake to the trail's beginning.

Length: 2.6 miles · Time: 68 minutes · Date: 08/08/2020
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Blue Mounds State Park

Begin your hike at the walk-in campsite parking area. Cross the road to the bison viewing area, then travel along the fence line as you walk over the mound. Watch for a glimpse of the bison herd, then stop at the interpretive center which was once the home of author Fred Manfred. Continue your hike along the cliff line, watching for rock climbers, prickly pear cacti, and prairie wildflowers. The trail continues over the dam constructed in the 1930s by the WPA, then circles the Lower and Upper Mounds lakes. The loop passes near Sioux quartzite rock formations and areas of preserved prairies that harbor native grasses, wildflowers, and wildlife.

Length: 6.2 miles · Time: 98 minutes · Date: 08/07/2020
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Whitewater State Park

This trail begins and ends at the Whitewater Valley Visitor Center. As you travel Coyote Point Trail, cross the Whitewater River and climb to the bluff top. Look for a wide variety of plants and natural features: meadow, preserved prairie, oaks, red cedars, and limestone cliffs. Stop at Coyote Point overlook for a scenic view of the Whitewater River Valley, then hike to the valley floor. The gift shop and picnic area are convenient stops for a break as you return to the visitor center. Cross Highway 74 at the ball field crosswalk and follow the park road to the bridge over the Whitewater River and back to the visitor center.

Length: 2.2 miles · Time: 133 minutes · Date: 08/23/2018
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Carley State Park

Begin your hike at the picnic area parking. As you follow the trail, discover unique flora and fauna. Spring brings Virginia bluebells and summer displays large swallowtail butterflies. Hike through a native white pine stand. The trail is especially pretty during the peak of fall colors, typically in late September to mid-October.

Length: 1.8 miles · Time: 50 minutes · Date: 08/22/2018
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Beaver Creek Valley State Park

Nestled in the bluff lands of southeastern Minnesota, Beaver Creek Valley State Park is known for its clear spring-fed streams, and home to brown and native trout. In spring, wildflowers blanket the woodland hills and valleys, attracting migratory songbirds like the rare Acadian flycatcher, cerulean warbler, and Louisiana waterthrush. These birds nest in the park. The Hiking Club trail meanders along the stream, through prairie areas, and up into a maple-basswood and oak forest.

Length: 6.2 miles · Time: 204 minutes · Date: 08/21/2018
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Great River Bluffs State Park

Hike the King's Bluff Trail. To find the trail, enter the park and follow this main road one mile to a small parking area on the left. Then begin this great hike! Traverse reconstructed prairies, pine and hardwood plantations, native oak/hickory stands, and several side-hill "goat prairies" atop King's Bluff. Take in the panoramic view of the Mississippi River Valley below and the Wisconsin bluffs in the distance.

Length: 2.5 miles · Time: 70 minutes · Date: 08/20/2018
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Frontenac State Park

The hike is demanding, but the spectacular views make it worth it! This challenging trail starts at the information kiosk in the picnic area. Stop at the scenic overlook at the beginning, where, for your vantage point 430 feet above Lake Pepin and the Mississippi River, you have awe-inspiring views of the valley and the craggy bluffs of Wisconsin. The trail descends into a valley providing a view of Historic Old Frontenac and continues down a ravine to the bottom of the bluff. The trail then turns back up a ravine of mixed hardwood and oak forests to another vista of the valley and finally brings you back to the picnic area.

Length: 2.6 miles · Time: 66 minutes · Date: 08/20/2018
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Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area

The trail starts and ends at the trail center. This hike will take you on a trail that winds through a mix of floodplain vegetation, including oak savanna, bottomland hardwoods, and wet meadows. Follow the trail past the stone marker commemorating a St. Lawrence townsite settler (the townsite of St. Lawrence existed 1856-69) and past Season Lake, named after the first family that homesteaded in the area. The wet meadow is an excellent spot to view wildlife.

Length: 4.0 miles · Time: 72 minutes · Date: 08/18/2018
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Afton State Park

The trail begins at the visitor center and heads south to the prairie interpretive loop - an interesting hike with its interpretive displays. Then follow the trail to the lower picnic area. Stop at the overlook on the way for a spectacular view of the St. Croix River. From the lower picnic area, turn left into the valley bottom. This hardwoods floodplain is a good place to look for mushrooms and wildflowers. Towards the tail end, look for yellow lady's slippers.

Length: 2.5 miles · Time: 45 minutes · Date: 08/16/2017
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William O'Brien State Park

The trail begins and ends at the visitor center. Starting out, walk around one of the many wetlands. Then walk through a stone tunnel under the railroad tracks. After the tracks, hike into a finger of the hardwoods that juts down into the park. As you leave the woodlands, take a right on the Prairie Overlook Trail. Golden prairie grasses and a spectacular view of the St. Croix River Valley are your reward for making it to the top of the hill. Follow the trail past an active beaver lodge. Hike to the top of Wedge Hill and go back down to see the visitor center on your left.

Length: 6.0 miles · Time: 109 minutes · Date: 08/15/2017
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