Variety of day hikes await in Afton, Minn.

Bison Observation Platform at Belwin Conservancy near Afton,
Minn. Courtesy of Belwin Conservancy.

St. Croix River beaches, quiet woodlands, and restored prairie await day hikers in the Afton, Minn., area.

The small community sits east of St. Paul just south of Interstate 94 along the Wisconsin border. It boasts a state park, a nature conservancy, and several small city parks.

Among the day hiking trails in the Afton area:
• Afton to Lakeland Trail – The 3.4-mile (one-way) trail connects the communities of Afton and Lakeland. Parking is available near either trailhead, which are on Pike Avenue close to the city hall in Afton and at Crocker Park in Lakeland. The trail parallels County Road 18.
• Aftonwood Park Walking Path – A trail runs through the 7.74-acre wooded park, which contains a steep ravine. The park is located between Osgood Avenue and County Road 21.
• Bison Observation Trail – A short trail leads along a fence and to a 20-foot high observation platform overlooking a prairie area containing bison at Belwin Conservancy. Parking is available at the trailhead, off of Division Street east of Stagecoach Trail north of Afton.
• Kettlekamp Prairie Trail – An observation tower overlooking a restored prairie awaits on this trail at the Belwin Conservancy. Though privately owned, the nature preserve just north of Afton is open to the public. The Kettlekamp trail runs about 0.75 miles in the conservancy's northwest corner. Several other trails also can be found at the conservancy.
• Meadow Ridge Walking Path – A woodchip path with benches runs through the 10.4-acre Meadow Ridge Park located at the corner of E. Oakgreen Circle and Nybeck Avenue South. Park off of the street.
• North River Trail – A pleasant walk alongside the widest section of the St. Croix River can be enjoyed on the North River Trail at Minnesota’s Afton State Park. The 2.2-miles round trip also offers the opportunity for a swim to cool off when the walk is all over. Several other trails also can be found at the state park.
• Remus Park Trail – A gravel trail runs north-south through the 5-acre park, connecting Parsons Court South and Pheasant Court South. Bicycles and horse riding are allowed on the trail.
• Steamboat Park walking paths – Undesignated walking paths wind through the 27-acre city park south of the marina and along the St. Croix River. Mature maples, oaks and cottonwoods grow in the park; be aware that parts of it can flood in spring.

Learn about trail guidebooks available in the Hittin’ the Trail series.

Trail circles reseeded prairie at preserve

Kettlekamp Prairie and the observation tower overlooking it.
Photo courtesy of Belwin Conservancy.

Kettlekamp Prairie Trail

New tower
stands over
grassland

An observation tower overlooking a restored prairie awaits day hikers on the Kettlekamp Prairie Trail at Minnesota’s Belwin Conservancy.

Though privately owned, the nature preserve just east of Minneapolis-St. Paul is open to the public. The Kettlekamp trail runs about 0.75 miles in the conservancy's northwest corner.

Restored lands
To reach the trail, from Interstate 94, head south on Minn. Hwy. 21/Stagecoach Trail (Note that if coming from the east, you’ll want to exit onto the wayside and then take a short connector road from its west side to Hwy. 21.). After passing Indian Trail South, turn left/east onto the conservancy’s entry road. At the park’s headquarters, go left/north; park where the road ends at the nature center.

The trailhead is at the observation tower near the center’s front. Go right/south onto the trail, which along with red pines rings the Kettlekamp Prairie.

The opening section for the trail descends somewhat but is wide and easily to follow. As it’s an open area, you’ll definitely need either sunhat or sunscreen.

Kettlekamp is the largest of several open spaces being restored as prairie at Belwin. Well over 150 acres of prairie has been reseeded there.

Seed scavenging
At around $1000 per acre to replant prairies with a healthy seed mix, Belwin uses a couple of combines to harvest its own land to keep costs down. Seeds come from two major native prairie grasses – Indian grass and big bluestem – as well as a number of flower species can’t be obtained that way.

To overcome that problem, Belwin volunteers engage in the ancient practice of seed scavenging – or harvesting the seeds by hand.

During September and October, Belwin hosts a few seed collection events in which Indian grass and big bluestem seeds are picked at the Stagecoach Prairie Natural area. Through the winter, the seeds dry on tarps, then in spring are run through a hammermill so they can be broken into chaff and planted.

As the loop nears its end, you’ll have to ascend back toward the tower. Once you’ve arrived there, take a walk to the tower’s top, which offers a great view of the St. Croix River and far Wisconsin shore to the southeast.

Learn about trail guidebooks available in the Hittin’ the Trail series.

Numerous trails found in nature preserve

Rudbeckia on prairie at Belwin Conservancy.
Photo courtesy of Belwin Conservancy.

Prairie,
woodlands
protected
at Belwin

Several quality day hiking trails pass through a variety of ecosystems at the Belwin Conservancy on the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area’s east side.

Charged in part with protecting land in the St. Croix Valley area from development, the conservancy stretches across 1300 acres near Afton, Minn. The nature preserve, though owned by a private organization, is open to the public.

To reach its main sites – Bell Oak Savanna and Valley Creek – from Interstate 94, head south on Minn. Hwy. 21/Stagecoach Trail (Note that if coming from the east, you’ll want to exit onto the wayside and then take a short connector road from its west side to Hwy. 21.). After passing Indian Trail South, turn left/east onto the conservancy’s entry road. At the park’s headquarters, go left/north; park where the road ends at the nature center.

Trails that can be accessed from there (going roughly east to west and then north to south) include:
• Kettlekamp Prairie Trail – The 0.75-mile trail loops through part of the largest grasslands at Belwin. An observation tower at the trailhead offers a great view of the St. Croix River.
• Red Pine Trail – The 0.12-mile loop through a red pine forest can be picked up at the nature center. Also known as Norway Pine, the majestic and sturdy evergreen that is the trail’s namesake is Minnesota’s state tree.
• Tower to Tower Trail – Starting at the observation tower next to the nature center, the 1.4-miles round trip trail goes through prairie and forest to the Treetop Tower. Its opening section rambles through part of the Kettlekamp Prairie.
• Bell’s Fen Trail – Heading south from the observation tower, the first segment of this 1.7-mile round trip shares part of the Kettlekamp Prairie Trail. Upon veering south on its own route, it passes a woodland pond and loops through the amoebic-shaped Bell’s Fen.
• Valley Creek Trail – The 1.2-mile round trip heads south to an overlook of Valley Creek. Take the Red Pine trail south of the nature center to reach the trailhead.
• White Pine Trail – A 1.6-mile round trip hike runs through white pines and part of the Postage Stamp Prairie. Spur trails lead to an archeological site and the Treetop Tower. It shares a trailhead with the Valley Creek Trail.
• Dry Prairie Trail – A 0.75-mile loop heads through and around Goat Prairie as well as adjoining woodland. A spur trail leads to an observatory at the prairie’s north end. Reaching the loop requires taking part of either the Red Pine or the White Pine trails.
• Bulrush Slough Trail – Circling around a wetlands, the 0.5-mile trail also crosses the adjoining Deep Pool. The shortest way to reach the trail is a connector trail heading southeast from the conservancy headquarters (the first building passes on the entry road); connector trails from the Dry Prairie Trail also lead to it.

Learn more about nearby day hiking trails in my Day Hiking Trails of St. Croix County guidebook.

‘Hikes’ author presenting great games to play with hiking kids

How do you keep children from getting bored while on a hike? Help them learn about and appreciate nature? Teach them basic trail etiquette such as “leave no trace”?

By engaging them in various games and activities!

I’ll tell about the best hiking games and activities for children, from toddlers through teens, during “Great Hiking Games and Activities for Kids” on Saturday, May 2, at the Belwin Conservancy outside of Afton, Minn. The event includes a 20-minute presentation at the nature center followed by a 40-minute hike on Belwin’s trails in which some games and activities are practiced.

Each of the games and activities are pulled from my bestselling book, Hikes with Tykes: Games and Activities. Copies of the book and my other hiking titles will be available for purchase the day of the event at Belwin.

The presentation starts at 1 p.m. Belwin Conservancy, a nonprofit that protects and restores land in the rapidly urbanizing St. Croix Valley, is located at 1553 Stagecoach Trail S. west of Afton.

The event is free and open to all Belwin Conservancy members. You must be a member of the conservancy to attend, but anyone can join Belwin for as little as $1.

Learn about trail guidebooks available in the Hittin’ the Trail series.