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.
Old Mill State Park
Old Mill State Park is like an island of original landscape in a sea of crop land. Start out at the trail head located southwest of the main parking area and travel along the Agassiz Self-Guided Trail. Follow the trail to overlooks of the Middle River and landscapes seen by the first European settlers more than a century ago. Along your journey, see oak savanna, prairie, riverine hardwoods, and aspen parkland.
Length: 1.4 miles · Time: 27 minutes · Date: 06/14/2015
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Crow Wing State Park
Follow the trail north along the Mississippi River, through the Old Crow Wing Village site. The trail follows a segment of the Red River Oxcart Trail, where tracks from the oxcarts that travelled this route in the mid-1800s can still be seen. Hike past the Episcopal cemetery to historic Chippewa Lookout for one of the best views of the Mississippi River in the area. The paved road leading back to the picnic shelter takes visitors past historic Catholic and Lutheran mission sites.
Length: 2.3 miles · Time: 90 minutes · Date: 08/03/2014
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Savanna Portage State Park
Your journey begins at the Lake Shumway boat landing. Follow the Continental Divide Trail as it rises and falls for over two miles. Enjoy Wolf Lake Overlook and lear a little history. Take a left on the Old Schoolhouse Trail and follow the trail south through a mix of hardwoods for 1.6 miles. Take a left on the gravel road and follow it for approximately 100 yards. Turn left at the Savanna Portage Trail sign and follw the trail across the Savanna Boardwalk and along the historic trail used by the fur traders, American Indians, and voyageurs. Turn right on the Continental Divide Trail and follow it back through the red pine to the Lake Shumway boat landing.
Length: 5.3 miles · Time: 117 minutes · Date: 07/26/2014
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Big Stone Lake State Park
The trail begins just north of the boat landing parking lot at the Bonanza area. It takes you along the shore of Big Stone Lake through a glen of oak, ash, basswood, and chokecherries. Hike over a hillside which once formed the bed of glacial River Warren. Cross over spring-fed creeks and past a small waterfall tumbling over iron-stained beds of orange sand. The trail loops around and back onto itself behind a privately owned environmental education center. Enjoy great views of the lake and South Dakota's rolling hills.
Length: 2.2 miles · Time: 0 minutes · Date: 06/21/2014
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Buffalo River State Park
Start your hike in the picnic area between the pool and the Buffalo River. The riverine forest and prairie expanses of the park provide varied habitat. Deer are plentiful and moose can be seen on rare occasions. Bird watchers may see riverbank nesting birds such as kingfishers and bank swallows. Prairie chickens roam the native prairie of the park, as do coyotes. The work of the Works Progress Administration can be admired in the stone and wood buildings seen along the trail.
Length: 2.5 miles · Time: 43 minutes · Date: 06/21/2014
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Red River State Recreation Area
The River Heights Trail takes you to varying levels of elevation to experience the vistas of the river valley. The trail begins at the park office and travels northwest along the Red River of the North. It turns to the east and follows a levee for approximately a mile. Next the trail travels through an under-highway tunnel and passes near a flood wall before bringing you back to the park office.
Length: 2.2 miles · Time: 42 minutes · Date: 05/17/2014
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Glacial Lakes State Park Trail
Begin your hike in the southeast picnic area where you can see an example of the prairie pothole/woodland ecosystem found only in west central Minnesota. Enjoy the sights of the tall oak and basswood forest, prairie knoll, and rolling hills. The park is located in a region comprised of a band of glacial hills unlike any other in the state. As glacial ice advanced southward, hills and bluffs were sheared off down to the bedrock. When the ice retreated, it deposited the rocks, gravel, and dirt once suspended within it. On this hike, see examples of glacial till deposits, the highest in Minnesota. Also, watch for wildlife indigenous the the prairie.
Length: 4.7 miles · Time: 64 minutes · Date: 08/03/2013
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St. Croix State Park Trail
The River Bluff Trail, beginning at the historic St. Croix Lodge, is the first leg of your journey. Travel along the newly restored pine barrens and oak savannah. These open areas host open-grown trees, prairie grasses, and beautiful wildflowers. As you reach the Yellowbanks site, you can retrace the footsteps of many people who have used the site throughout history: Ojibwe families, loggers, settlers, and Civilian Conservations Corps (CCC) workers. Explore the historic ruins of the CCC camp on the self-guided walking loop to discover the lives of the men that lived here in the 1930s. Return along the paved bike trail, keeping watch for white-tailed deer, black bear, and other wildlife common to the park.
Length: 4.0 miles · Time: 97 minutes · Date: 07/06/2013
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Lake Maria State Park Trail
From the Trail Interpretive Center, follow the rolling wooded trail to Bjorkland Lake. The trail takes you past stands of oak and maple old growth forest. The observation deck at Bjorkland Lake is a great spot for a picnic lunch or to observe loons, trumpeter swans, and waterfowl. With seasonal opportunities to observe wildlife, wildflowers, and beautiful autumn color, anytime is a great time for a hike.
Length: 2.0 miles · Time: 42 minutes · Date: 07/05/2013
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Lake Bemidji State Park Trail
The Old Logging Trail that leads to the Bog Walk starts along the north edge of the campground and veers right after crossing the county road. Passing through mature jack pine, big-toothed aspen, and second-growth oak forests, you're treated to a truly varying landscape along with the voices of the birds they harbor. The mysteries of the bog are revealed through numerous interpretive signs along the one-quarter mile boardwalk. View an array of beautiful orchids and insect eating plants during late May through mid-June.
Length: 2.0 miles · Time: 59 minutes · Date: 08/25/2012
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Monson Lake State Park Trail
Leaving the picnic area, follow the trail as it winds through woodlands and along the shores of West Sunburg Lake and Monson Lake before returning to the campground and picnic area. In spring, experience a beautiful display of wildflowers plus the sound and sights of many colorful songbirds. White pelicans, great egrets, and numerous waterfowl are commonly seen on or near West Sunburg and Moson lakes.
Length: 1.0 miles · Time: 28 minutes · Date: 07/27/2012
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Lake Carlos State Park Trail
The trail starts and ends at the beach area parking lot. Hike through gently rolling maple/basswood and aspen/oak forests, grassy meadows, and around a shallow lake. Near the end of the trail, walk along Lake Carlos, a deep clear lake noted for its walleye, northern pike, bass, and crappie.
Length: 2.9 miles · Time: 89 minutes · Date: 07/27/2012
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Sibley State Park Trail
During this hike you'll experience beautiful vistas of wetlands, preserved prairie, several surrounding lakes, and Sibley State Park's hilly forested terrain. The Mount Tom Trail begins at the interpretive center. Hike over hills, along wetlands, and up to Mount Tom, one of the highest points within 50 miles. Then follow the trail to Lake Andrew before returning to the interpretive center. Watch for beautiful wildflowers in season, white-tailed deer, colorful songbirds, and waterfowl.
Length: 4.0 miles · Time: 152 minutes · Date: 06/30/2012
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Glendalough State Park Trail
The Annie Battle Lake Trail begins at the end of the trail center, but can also be accessed in short spurs from the campground or picnic area. The trail is mostly level throughout with a surface that varies from hard-packed gravel to grass. Follow the trail as it loops through a hardwood forest around pristine Annie Battle Lake, crosses two creeks, and passes by the historic Glendalough Lodge. Wildflowers blanket the forest floor in early spring, and the trail is groomed for cross-country skiing in winter. Deer, turkey, bald eagles, loons, and other wildlife are often seen from the trail, along with scenic vistas of Annie Battle Lake.
Length: 3.3 miles · Time: 101 minutes · Date: 06/16/2012
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Maplewood State Park Trail
Maplewood State Park is known for its hardwood trees including sugar maple, basswood, and oak. Beautiful at any time of the year, a hike in the fall is especially impressive. These same trees provide a stunning display of fall colors, with the maple forest turning brilliant shades of orange, gold, and red. The trail begins at the trail access parking area, located one-quarter mile from the park office. Hike south from the parking area to the Knoll Campground, then along the west side of Bass Lake to the trail shelter. The trail then heads east, then north between Beers and Bass lakes.
Length: 6.2 miles · Time: 190 minutes · Date: 06/15/2012
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Charles A. Lindbergh State Park Trail
Begin your hike at the picnic area, with its historic Works Progress Administration picnic shelter and stone water tower. Hike through hardwoods and grand white pine forests where young Charles A. Lindbergh, famous aviator, once walked. Enjoy the scenic overlook on the bank of Pike Creek. Follow the trail as it winds through the woods along the creek to open fields for excellent wildlife viewing. Watch for bald eagles year-round and Eastern bluebirds during the summer months.
Length: 2.8 miles · Time: 69 minutes · Date: 06/02/2012
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