Fall color hikes abound in Mankato MN area

Minneopa State Park, Mankato, Minn.

There’s no better way to experience autumn colors in the Mankato, Minnesota, 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 Mankato to hike. Some are right out your back door,

while some are a day trip that you can do in an afternoon.

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.

Minnesota River Trail (Mankato)
A nice urban trail to enjoy autumn leaves is the section of the Minnesota River Trail in Mankato. Try the 0.5-mile round trip segment that runs through Sibley Park. On sunny days, a variety of harvest hues reflect off the Minnesota River. Autumn colors peak late September to mid-October. Several other pathways at the parked are tree-line. From U.S. Hwy. 169 in Mankato, exit onto South Riverfront Drive then take Owatonna Street north. Go left/west onto Sibley Parkway, which enters the park. Leave your vehicle in the second lot and cross the park road to the trail.

Red Jacket Trail (Rapidan)
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.

Sakatah Lake State Park (Waterville)
Day hikers can visit the classic Big Woods of old at Sakatah Lake State Park. The 2.4-miles round trip Oak Tree Trail and Big Woods Loop heads through a forest of basswood, oak and maple, all resplendent in harvest hues during fall. From Waterville, take Minn. Hwy. 60 east. Turn left/north at the park entrance. When the park road splits, go right/northeast. Park in the first lot. Hike the side of the road back, crossing the Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail. The Oak Tree Trail is the next junction; go right/west onto it. The trail leads to the Big Woods Loop.

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.

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 (Fairfax)
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 St. Peter, take County Road 5/Old Fort Road west. Turn left/south onto Minn. Hwy. 4 then right/west onto County Road 21, and finally right/north onto County Road 30. Use the Main Camp and Creek Picnic Area parking lot.

Fall color hikes abound in Faribault MN area

River Bend Nature Center in Faribault

There’s no better way 

to experience autumn colors in the Faribault 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 Faribault to hike. Some are right out your back door, while some are a day trip that you can do in an afternoon.

River Bend Nature Center (Faribault)
Golden aspen and orange-yellow maple leaves await hikers at River Bend Nature Center in Faribault. One great option at the park is the 1.4-mile Owl and Trout Lily trails, which form a loop through a floodplain forest. Part of the trail runs alongside the Straight River. From First Street NW in Faribault, take Sixth Avenue SE south. Turn left/east onto Division Street East then right/south onto 10th Avenue SE, which when it curves east becomes Fifth Street SE. Next, turn right/south onto Rustad Road. Park at the lot for the interpretive center.

Nerstrand Big Woods State Park (Faribault)
A picturesque waterfall awaits hikers at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park. The 1-mile round trip walk via Hidden Falls Trail is especially beautiful in autumn with yellow, orange, red sugar maple and ironwood, bronze-colored basswood, and russet-leaved oak lining the path. Hidden Falls sits in a glade amid this northern hardwoods forest, and boasts a 12-foot drop over a 90-foot wide ledge. From Faribault, take St. Paul Avenue/Cannon City Boulevard northeast. Turn right/east onto Nerstrand Boulevard, which becomes Kane Avenue when it curves north, then go left/west onto County Road 40. Take the first/north to the parking area; from there, walk east on the White Oak Trail to the Hidden Falls Trail.

Sakatah Lake State Park (Waterville)
Day hikers can visit the classic Big Woods of old at Sakatah Lake State Park. The 2.4-miles round trip Oak Tree Trail and Big Woods Loop heads through a forest of basswood, oak and maple, all resplendent in harvest hues during fall. From Waterville, take Minn. Hwy. 60 east. Turn left/north at the park entrance. When the park road splits, go right/northeast. Park in the first lot. Hike the side of the road back, crossing the Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail. The Oak Tree Trail is the next junction; go right/west onto it. The trail leads to the Big Woods Loop.

Rice Lake State Park (Owatonna)
The glorious autumn colors of maple, oak and aspen can be enjoyed at Rice Lake State Park. The 2.4-mile Hiking Club Trail loops through several such woods and cross meadows featuring bur oak. About half of the trail runs alongside scenic Rice Lake. From Owatonna, take County Road 19/Rose Street east. Turn right/south onto County Road 40 into the park. When the park road splits, go left/southeast and follow it the parking lot at the walk-in and group campsites; follow the turf trail to the trail shelter.

Northwest Nature Park (Waseca)
Walkers can enjoy autumn leaves along pathways at Northwest Nature Park. About 0.75 miles of hiking trails run through the park in three small loops. From downtown Waseca, take Minn. Hwy. 13 north. Turn left/west onto 13th Avenue NW and then left/south onto 12th Avenue NW. Upon arriving at Northwest Park, leave your vehicle parked against the curb and walk west past the playground. At the trail junction, go right/northwest. The loops begin in about 0.13 miles on the trail’s left/west side.

Cedar Lake Farm Regional Park (New Prague)
Yellow, orange and russet leaves in a farm setting make for a trip into autumns past at Cedar Lake Farm Regional Park. A 0.4-mile paved path circles through the wooded farmstead, passing a barn, corn cribs, and small beach along Cedar Lake. From New Prague, take Minn. Hwy. 19 east. Turn left/north onto County Road 89, right/east onto County Road 2, then left/north onto Juniper Avenue. A large lot for the park is on the right/east.

Ritter Farm Park (Lakeville)
Maple and birch stands await hikers at Ritter Farm Park in Lakeville. The 3.2-mile Mader Loop combined with the Matterhorn Trail either heads through or skirts the park’s woodlands. From the junction of Interstate 35 and 185th Street/County Road 60 in Lakeville, take the latter east. Turn right/south onto Kendrick Avenue, right/west onto 195th Street West, then right/north onto Ritter Trail. At the second split in the park road, go left/northwest. The road ends in a parking lot with the trail leaving from the north side.