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| Flandrau State Park, New Ulm, Minnesota |
There’s no better way to experience autumn colors in the New Ulm area
than a hike.
The brilliant yellows, oranges and
red of maples to the scarlet and
russets of oaks...the crisp, fresh
autumn air and the last warm rays of sunlight before winter arrives...the crunch of fallen leaves and acorns beneath your boots...stopping to
enjoy a warm mug of apple cider or
a caramel apple pulled from your backpack – it all calls for an afternoon
on the trail.
Fortunately, there are plenty of great autumn trails around New Ulm to hike. Some are right out your back door,
while some are a day trip that you can do in an afternoon.
Flandrau State Park (New Ulm)
Red, orange and yellow maple trees and golden grasses await hikers at Flandrau State Park during fall. To enjoy both autumn leaves and prairie, try a combination of three trails. The Ridge Trail to the Grasslands Trail to the north side of the Bluebird Loop Trail to the eastern segment of the Bluebird Trail then back on the Ridge Trail covers 1.6-miles round trip. The maples also are fantastic at the park’s picnic area. From the junction of U.S. Hwy. 14 and Minn. Hwys. 15/68 in New Ulm, take the latter southeast. Turn right/southwest onto Center Street then left/southeast onto Summit Avenue. Go right/southwest on County Road 26 and enter the park. Park in the lot next to the RV sanitation station and head northwest onto the Ridge Trail.
Fort Ridgely State Park (New Ulm)
Though Fort Ridgely State Park is better known for its historic importance on the Plains in the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862, forests cover its ravines and hills, making it an ideal place to enjoy autumn leaves. Try the 1.8-mile round trip Valley Trail (sometimes referred to on maps and brochures as the Lower Valley Trail), which runs through a maple, basswood and ash woods overlooking Ft. Ridgely Creek. From New Ulm, take U.S. Hwy. 14 east. Once across the Minnesota River, turn left/northwest onto County Road 21 then right/north onto County Road 30. Use the Main Camp and Creek Picnic Area parking lot.
Minneopa State Park (Mankato)
Day hikers can walk to the most scenic waterfall in southern Minnesota, a perfect adventure in autumn when the gorge glows in orange and red leaves. The 0.4-mile round trip Minneopa Falls Trail sits in Minneopa State Park near Mankato. The trail is located in the park’s smaller southern part. From Mankato follow U.S. Hwy 169 west. Turn right/north onto County Road 69/Gadwall Road. After entering the park, take the first left/south. The road ends in a gravel parking lot; leave your vehicle there.
Red Jacket Trail (Mankato)
Autumn colors abound on the Red Jacket Trail running between Mankato and Rapidan. To stay in the woods, hike the 3.75-mile round trip segment from Huffy Lane north to the bridge over the LeSueur River. The bridge runs across former railroad tresses 80 feet above the water. Leaves usually peak between late September to mid October. From Mankato, take County Road 33 south. Turn right/west onto Huffy Lane. Park on the road shoulder at the trailhead.
Seven Mile Creek County Park (North Mankato)
Among the best local spots to enjoy autumn colors is Seven Mile Creek County Park between St. Peter and North Mankato. The 2.3-mile looping Trail 8 (marked yellow on park maps) heads up and down the sides of wooded hills surrounding Seven Mile Creek. The park covers more than 600 acres, most of it forested. Leaves peak late September to mid October. From Mankato, take U.S. Hwy. 169 north. Turn left/west into the park. Follow the park road all the way to its end, where you can leave your vehicle in the Back Lot and locate the trailhead.
Cedar Mountain Scientific and Natural Area (Redwood Falls)
An oak woodland awaits hikers at Cedar Mountain Scientific and Natural Area. A 0.4-mile round trip trail passes the rocks and leads to the woods, where autumn’s gold leaves stand out against the large gray rocks, many draped in green moss. The woodlands is thin enough to walk through without a footpath. From Redwood Falls, take Minn. Hwy. 19 west. Turn right/north onto County Road 17. At the natural area, park off the side of the road and walk east toward the rocks and woods.
Flandrau State Park (New Ulm)
Red, orange and yellow maple trees and golden grasses await hikers at Flandrau State Park during fall. To enjoy both autumn leaves and prairie, try a combination of three trails. The Ridge Trail to the Grasslands Trail to the north side of the Bluebird Loop Trail to the eastern segment of the Bluebird Trail then back on the Ridge Trail covers 1.6-miles round trip. The maples also are fantastic at the park’s picnic area. From the junction of U.S. Hwy. 14 and Minn. Hwys. 15/68 in New Ulm, take the latter southeast. Turn right/southwest onto Center Street then left/southeast onto Summit Avenue. Go right/southwest on County Road 26 and enter the park. Park in the lot next to the RV sanitation station and head northwest onto the Ridge Trail.
Fort Ridgely State Park (New Ulm)
Though Fort Ridgely State Park is better known for its historic importance on the Plains in the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862, forests cover its ravines and hills, making it an ideal place to enjoy autumn leaves. Try the 1.8-mile round trip Valley Trail (sometimes referred to on maps and brochures as the Lower Valley Trail), which runs through a maple, basswood and ash woods overlooking Ft. Ridgely Creek. From New Ulm, take U.S. Hwy. 14 east. Once across the Minnesota River, turn left/northwest onto County Road 21 then right/north onto County Road 30. Use the Main Camp and Creek Picnic Area parking lot.
Minneopa State Park (Mankato)
Day hikers can walk to the most scenic waterfall in southern Minnesota, a perfect adventure in autumn when the gorge glows in orange and red leaves. The 0.4-mile round trip Minneopa Falls Trail sits in Minneopa State Park near Mankato. The trail is located in the park’s smaller southern part. From Mankato follow U.S. Hwy 169 west. Turn right/north onto County Road 69/Gadwall Road. After entering the park, take the first left/south. The road ends in a gravel parking lot; leave your vehicle there.
Red Jacket Trail (Mankato)
Autumn colors abound on the Red Jacket Trail running between Mankato and Rapidan. To stay in the woods, hike the 3.75-mile round trip segment from Huffy Lane north to the bridge over the LeSueur River. The bridge runs across former railroad tresses 80 feet above the water. Leaves usually peak between late September to mid October. From Mankato, take County Road 33 south. Turn right/west onto Huffy Lane. Park on the road shoulder at the trailhead.
Seven Mile Creek County Park (North Mankato)
Among the best local spots to enjoy autumn colors is Seven Mile Creek County Park between St. Peter and North Mankato. The 2.3-mile looping Trail 8 (marked yellow on park maps) heads up and down the sides of wooded hills surrounding Seven Mile Creek. The park covers more than 600 acres, most of it forested. Leaves peak late September to mid October. From Mankato, take U.S. Hwy. 169 north. Turn left/west into the park. Follow the park road all the way to its end, where you can leave your vehicle in the Back Lot and locate the trailhead.
Cedar Mountain Scientific and Natural Area (Redwood Falls)
An oak woodland awaits hikers at Cedar Mountain Scientific and Natural Area. A 0.4-mile round trip trail passes the rocks and leads to the woods, where autumn’s gold leaves stand out against the large gray rocks, many draped in green moss. The woodlands is thin enough to walk through without a footpath. From Redwood Falls, take Minn. Hwy. 19 west. Turn right/north onto County Road 17. At the natural area, park off the side of the road and walk east toward the rocks and woods.
