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.

Interstate State Park

Catch a glimpse of one of the world's largest glacial potholes at the north end of the park near the Visitor Center before embarking on your 1.5 mile journey southward towards the park office and picnic area. The River Trail takes you across rocky outcroppings along the St. Croix River. Experience the hardwood forest accented with towering pines and a variety of woodland and prairie wildflowers. To return, retrace your steps along the River Trail back to the Visitor Center.

Length: 3.0 miles · Time: 64 minutes · Date: 08/13/2017
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Wild River State Park

Begin your hike at the McElroy Visitor Center. Follow the paved bike trail to the east a short distance and then turn right and head south down the hill. Continue until you come to a three-panel kiosk with an historical account of one of the first roads built that connected to Superior, Wisconsin. Hike east through an upland hardwood oak forest and upriver along the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. Follow the River Trail past the river access to the historic Nevers Dam site overlook. Then hike west and up the hill to the picnic area. Follow the Old Logging Trail south through oak woods back to the visitor center.

Length: 3.3 miles · Time: 77 minutes · Date: 08/12/2017
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Father Hennepin State Park

Begin your hike at the Lakeview Picnic Area parking lot. The trail winds along Mille Lacs Lake. Enjoy the lake breeze and watch for bald eagles perched in the large trees. Hike through an inspiring second growth hardwood forest of oak, maple, basswood, and white birch. During the summer, cool off with a swim at the beach.

Length: 2.0 miles · Time: 42 minutes · Date: 08/11/2017
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Upper Sioux Agency State Park

The trail starts and ends at the picnic area. First, follow along the edeg of the top of the Yellow Medicine River Valley with high vistas and hillsides covered with native prairie. Look for red-tailed hawks gliding along with the air currents above the valley. The trail winds its way down into the valley along wooded slopes and around the high point of land where the river valleys meet. Follow the trail as it then climbs part way up the Minnesota River Valley and follows the valley through hardwoods until you make your last ascent to the picnic area. Look for gnarled bur oaks which were likely the only trees on this hillside 150 years ago.

Length: 4.3 miles · Time: 111 minutes · Date: 07/01/2017
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Schoolcraft State Park

The trail, which starts and ends at the picnic area parking lot, follows the Old Grand Rapids Tote Road, constructed more than 100 years ago. Follow the trail as it winds through a beautiful stand of old-growth pine and past a large multi-trunked white pine, believed to be approximately 300-years old. View the elegant and serene Mississippi River from the trail.

Length: 1.8 miles · Time: 55 minutes · Date: 09/16/2016
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Mille Lacs Kathio State Park

Trails range from flat to hilly, with one fairly steep incline. Begin your hike at the Kathio Landmark Trail parking area, located near Ogechie Campground. The first three-fourth of a mile of this hike is the self-guided Kathio Landmark Trail. On this segment, interpretive signs at several stops highlight natural views and archaeological sites that have earned the park the title of National Historic Landmark District. Follow the shoreline of Ogechie Lake and then head inland through the hilly hardwood forest of the Mille Lacs moraine. Take advantage of the excellent opportunities along the lakes and trails to watch waterfowl, bald eagles, osprey, beavers, loons, deer, coyotes, and other wildlife.

Length: 3.2 miles · Time: 120 minutes · Date: 08/12/2016
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Fort Snelling State Park

This trail, which begins at the bridge access to Pike Island, will take you around the perimeter of the island. While hike the route, view the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers and floodplain forest plant communities. Interpretive signs and historic markers convey points of interest. Look for wildlife on the island including white-tailed deer, beaver, pileated woodpeckers, and more.

Length: 3.0 miles · Time: 90 minutes · Date: 07/03/2016
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Myre - Big Island State Park

The trail starts and ends in the picnic area, first traversing the maple/basswood forest of Big Island. At the northwest corner of the island, the trail exits to the mainland via a causeway. On the mainland, follow the trail as it turns north giving nice views of Albert Lea Lake and continues around the east side of the White Fox Campground to the Blazing Star State Trail access. The trail follows the Blazing Star State Trail west near prairie restoration areas then crosses the main part drive near the park office and continues west to near Interstate 35. Continue south toward the Great Marsh, a large wetland where you can expect to see waterfowl, then east along the lakeshore back to the causeway.

Length: 6.2 miles · Time: 162 minutes · Date: 07/02/2016
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Lac qui Parle State Park

The hiking trail starts at the Works Progress Administration picnic shelter situated along the beautiful Lac qui Parle River. Hike through wooded areas adorned with various trees and flowers. Watch for deer, songbirds, bald eagles, and hawks. Spring and fall migrations can be spectacular. Follw the trail as it circles around the backwaters and returns to the canoe landing.

Length: 2.0 miles · Time: 39 minutes · Date: 10/09/2015
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Itasca State Park

Begin your hike at the Ozawindib Trail Head, located by the large kiosk in the Historic Douglas Lodge parking lot. This somewhat hilly trail crosses Wilderness Drive and passes the west side of Mary Lake. Travel south on the Ozawindib Trail among towering stands of white pine, oak, birch, aspen and maple. Turn west on the Crossover Trail, where you will pass Myrtle Lake, a lake frequented by trumpeter swans. Turn north when you reach Deer Park Trail, with sights of numerous lakes bordered by majestic red and white pine. Look for beaver lodges on the lakes. Watch for deer, fisher, grouse, and woodpeckers. The route returns below the Clubhouse, behind Historic Douglas Lodge.

Length: 3.5 miles · Time: 86 minutes · Date: 09/13/2015
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Cascade River State Park

Follow the Cascade River Trail to the Superior Hiking Trail. Be sure to take in the view of the cascades from the overlook along the river. Follow the trail along the Cascade River, though a hardwood coniferous forest of aspen, birch, spruce, and fir, and up to Lookout Mountain. Take a break, enjoy the view and then continue past the trail shelter. Look for the Hiking Club trail to depart from the Superior Hiking Trail on the left and head back downhill.

Length: 3.5 miles · Time: 75 minutes · Date: 08/21/2015
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Judge C.R. Magney State Park

Begin at the trail head parking area and follow the trail upstream along the Brule River. Wind through a birch and aspen forest in the Brule Valley to a series of spectacular waterfalls. The highlight of the trail is the mysterious Devil's Kettle, where the river splits in two as it goes over the falls. One section of the river plunges 50 feet, landing at the base of the falls and continuing downstream. The other section vanishes into a huge pothole known as Devil's Kettle.

Length: 2.5 miles · Time: 76 minutes · Date: 08/20/2015
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Grand Portage State Park

On this hike, you'll witness spectacular scenery. The trail starts at the visitor center and leads through a lush northern birch and conifer forest. At the end of the trail, see Minnesota's highest waterfall (120 feet), High Falls on the Pigeon River. Along the way, bird lovers will spot a variety of songbirds, as well as merlins, ospreys, and eagles. Lucky hikers may catch a glimpse of a moose or a family of otters playing near the falls.

Length: 1.0 miles · Time: 28 minutes · Date: 08/20/2015
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Temperance River State Park

This exciting trail begins and ends at the wayside rest area on Highway 61. The first part of this trail takes you through the Temperance River Gorge. Interpretive signs explains the fascinating geology and formation of the numerous waterfalls, cascades, and cauldrons that make up the river gorge. Follow the river until the route breaks away and takes you on a loop through the woods on your way back to the wayside.

Length: 1.9 miles · Time: 98 minutes · Date: 08/19/2015
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George H. Crosby Manitou State Park

In this wilderness park, waterfalls cascade through a volcanic canyon surrounded by majestic forest. Although the trails are steep and challenging, they offer spectacular views. Hike the Middle Trail starting at the trail head parking area. Don't miss the two overlooks for impressive views of the Manitou River gorge and Lake Superior. Follow the River Trail upstream to the cascades, and the connect with the Humpback Trail back to the parking area.

Length: 4.2 miles · Time: 126 minutes · Date: 08/18/2015
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Tettegouche State Park

Begin the self-guided interpretive Shovel Point Trail near the park office at the Baptism River Rest Area parking lot. Follow the rugged shoreline of Lake Superior. Here you see the place where ancient lava flows built up mountains which were later eroded by several glaciers to create one of the most unique geologic features on the entire North Shore. Shovel Point juts more than 1,000 feet into Lake Superior and supports three microclimates with distinct plant communities.

Length: 2.0 miles · Time: 75 minutes · Date: 08/17/2015
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Split Rock Lighthouse State Park

The trail begins at the trail center. Hike past several historical sites including the Corundum Mine Site and Little Two Harbors Fishing Village. Take in exceptional views of the Light Station and Lake Superior along the route. The hike is hilly, but not steep.

Length: 5.8 miles · Time: 142 minutes · Date: 08/16/2015
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Gooseberry Falls State Park

Begin the trail at the Joseph N. Alexander Visitor Center. Follow the trail to the Gooseberry River and cross the bridge, going over the river to the east side. As you cross the bridge, take in views of the Upper and Middle Falls. Then hike the Gitchi Gummi Trail known for its high overlooks offering stunning vistas of Lake Superior and the Gooseberry River Valley. The end of the Gitchi Gummi Trail brings you to a point that juts out into Lake Superior, where you're rewarded with beautiful views from the overlooks.

Length: 2.2 miles · Time: 55 minutes · Date: 08/15/2015
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Lake Bronson State Park

The trail starts at the picnic and swimming area parking lot. In the summer, bring your swimsuit to take a dip in the lake before or after your hike! Hike along Lake Bronson through aspen and oak woods. At the midpoint, view the oak savanna prairie where the big bluestem and Indian grasses sway in the wind. Then hike through aspen and oak woods and an exquisite prairie.

Length: 3.4 miles · Time: 69 minutes · Date: 07/31/2015
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Camden State Park

From the beach house, follow the Dakota Valley Trail along Indian Creek, a refreshing place to find spring wildflowers and spectacular fall colors. View the Redwood River Valley from the overlook. Then hike the wooded valley's rim, where you will find remnants of the tallgrass prairie. In the summer, take a cooling swim in the spring-fed pool you'll find at the end of your hike.

Length: 2.4 miles · Time: 67 minutes · Date: 07/11/2015
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