Southcentral Wisconsin's top fall hikes, Pt. 2

Blue Mound State Park, Wisconsin

There’s no better way to experience autumn colors around southcentral Wisconsin 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 southcentral Wisconsin to hike. Some are right out your back door, while some are a day trip that you can do in an afternoon.

Iowa County
A walk through a maple-oak forest that blazes with color each autumn awaits day hikers at Blue Mound State Park. The 1.5-mile Flint Rock Nature Trail loops up and down Blue Mound’s side as well as around and over large rocks. It ends near an observation tower that hikers can go to the top of. During September and October, hikers will be delighted by the array of autumn colors here – the yellow, orange and red hues of sugar maple as temperatures cool, the amber of basswood, the deep crimson of the red oaks, the russet of white oak, and the gold of shagbark hickory. From County Road ID in Blue Mounds head north on Mounds Park Road (maps sometimes refer to it as Mounds Road). Follow the road to the beginning of where it circles back on itself. Park in the small roadside lot on the circle’s northwest side. From there, walk west along the roadside for a little more than 100 feet to the trailhead, which goes north into the woods.

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Fall colors light up the trail to picturesque Stephens Falls in Governor Dodge State Park. The 0.5-mile round trip Stephens Falls Trail passes beneath a canopy of hardwoods before arriving at the waterfalls, which spills 20 feet over a moss-covered sandstone into a splash pool below. The hike can be extended by continuing past the falls on the Lost Canyon Trail. From Dodgeville, take U.S. Hwy. 23 north. The park entry road is on the right/east. Follow the entry road north to the Stephens Falls parking area on the right/east. Leashed dogs are allowed on the trail.

Jefferson County
An incredible vista of fall colors and farm fields await on Bald Bluff in the Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit. The steep 0.5-mile (one way) Bald Bluff Nature Trail heads to the summit, which at 1050 feet is one of Jefferson County’s highest points. You can extend the hike by walking another 2.9 miles (one way) to the Stone Elephant, an eratic that looks a lot like an elephant’s head. From Palmyra, take County Road H south. A parking lot is on the road’s left/east side.

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Day hikers can see a variety of autumn colors common to southern Wisconsin on the rugged Orange Loop in Kettle Moraine State Forest’s Southern Unit. The 6-mile loop heads up and down glacial geography through a hardwood forest. Part of the Emma Carlin trail system, it’s just one small sample of the more than 300 miles of trails spread across 30,000 acres in the state forest. Fall leaves range from the reds of black cherry and golds of quaking aspen to the cinnamon of northern red and yellow of white oaks. The trees all make up a classic southern dry-mesic forest. From Palmyra take Wis. Hwy. 59 east. Turn right/south onto County Road Z/Little Prairie Road. In just under a mile is a parking lot on the road’s right/west side. From the lot, go left/southeast on the trail.

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Great autumn colors await at historic Tivoli Island Natural Park in Watertown. About 0.25 miles of paths cross the heavily wooded island, located on the Rock River. Since the 1870s, the island has served as a recreation getaway for local residents. Today, wood chip paths maintained by the local Izaak Walton League pass beneath oak, maple, and ash trees. From downtown Watertown, take Wis. Hwy. 16/East Main Street east. Turn right/south on Tivoli Drive. Park along the street. A footbridge crosses to the island.

Lafayette County
Ridgetop views, an oak woods, and prairie grasses await hikers on the Windy Ridge Trail at Yellowstone State Park. The 1.7-mile trail passes through an oak grove, where leaves shine tan, red and brown overhead and oodles of acorns crunch underfoot. From Darlington, take County Road F northeast. Turn right/southeast onto N. Lake Road. Go left/northeast on the road leading tot he campground and park int the lot past the turnoff to the campground. Walk the road south back toward the turnoff; the trailhead is on the road’s left side.

Rock County
Hikers can see unique sandstone rock formations in an oak-dominated forest at Magnolia Bluff County Park. A 1-mile looping nature trail heads along the limestone and sandstone bluff, the county’s second highest point. Autumn is colorful in the forest of black, red and white oak, shagbark and bitternut hickories, American and slippery elms, black cherry, red and sugar maples, white ash, basswood, hackberry, aspen, white birch, black walnut, and butternut. From Evansville, go south on Wis. Hwy. 59 then left/south on North Croak Road. Enter the park by turning left/east and park in the lot where the road ends. Head straight-west from the lot and follow the loop south.

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A plethora of autumn colors await at the Rotary Botanical Gardens in Janesville. More than a half mile of trails wind through the 20-acre site, where 4000 varieties of plants grow in 26 garden styles. The best sections in autumn include the North Woodland Path, which runs by a pond, and the woodland walk and woodland glen areas. From the intersection of Interstate 90 and U.S. Bus. Hwy. 14, take the latter northwest. Turn left/southwest onto Palmer Drive. The botanical gardens are on the right/north.

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Beautiful views of the Rock River amid a canopy of yellow and orange leaves awaits hikers at Big Hill Park in Beloit. The 190-acre park sits on bluffs overlooking the river. A great route is the 1.9-mile round trip unnamed trail that runs through the park's south side then turns north with the Rock River below and ends at a parking lot on the Big Hill's northeast side. From downtown Beloit, take Sixth Street/South Afton Road north. Turn right/east onto West Big Hill Road then left/north onto Big Hill Drive. Park at the environmental education center and walk south alongside Bill Hill Drive; the trailhead is on the road's left/east side.

Sauk County
Mix fascinating rock formations, a clear blue lake, and fall colors, and you’ve got a recipe for an awesome hike. Devil’s Lake State Park serves up this dish on the 2.6-miles round trip East Bluff-East Bluff Woods Loop. September and October is gorgeous as harvest leaves frame the trail and neighboring Devil’s Lake. East Bluff Wood features maples and oaks with some sumac and birch mixed in. From Baraboo take Wis. Hwy. 113 south. Enter Devil’s Lake State Park by turning right/west on County Road DL. Follow it past two junctions – one for the campgrounds and the other with Old Lake Road – then turn left/south onto Park Road. Cross the road that leads to the park headquarters. Pass through the first parking lot and use the second one. The trailhead leaves from the east side of road just after it exits the second lot’s south side.

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A variety of autumn colors can be enjoyed at Ferry Bluff State Natural Area near Sauk City. The bluff rises 300 feet above the confluence of the Wisconsin River and Honey Creek. Two trails head from the parking lot, one to an overlook at 0.76 miles round trip and one to the river at 0.52 miles round trip. Along the way, you’ll traverse the bluff’s wooded slopes, covered in yellow-leaved white oak, scarlet to orange-colored red oak, amber basswood, hackberry, elm, and ironwood, and green hickory. From Sauk City, take U.S. Hwy. 12 west. Turn left/southwest onto Wis. Hwy. 60 then right/southeast onto Ferry Bluff Road.

Nineteen Can't-Miss Autumn Day Hikes along the Illinois-Wisconsin Border, Part 2

Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

If living in a border county or traveling near the Wisconsin-Illinois state line, you may want to check out some of the great autumn trails in the region. The trails largely are in prairies, though two counties can be found in the Driftless Area along the Mississippi River and so are hillier.

Illinois

McHenry County
Day hikers can enjoy fall colors and the reflections of those harvest-hued canopies in ponds and lakes at Moraine Hills State Park. The 3.7-mile Lake Defiance Trail circles the lake, passing through woodlands and oak savannas. From McHenry, take North River Road south; the road becomes South River Road at the Charles J. Miller Memorial Highway. Turn left/northeast on Main Park Road. Leave your vehicle at the hickory ridge parking lot and take the connector to the main trail.

Stephenson County
A walk through a forest of oaks, hickory and walnut awaits on the plains of northern Illinois at Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Park. Autumn is a particularly good time to hike the 2.6-mile High Point Trail. Located north of the park’s 40-acre lake, the four-loop trail winds past the tan and brown leaves of oaks and hickory and the yellows of walnut, as well as an evergreen pine planation. From Freeport, take U.S. Hwy. 20 west. Turn right/north onto Ill. Hwy. 73 then in Lena left/northwest onto East Lena Street and right/north onto County Road 7/North Lake Road. At the park, go left/west toward the Site Office and follow the road past Pine Ridge Campground to the parking lot. Cross the road to the trailhead. Note: The state park is closed for remodeling of facilities during 2020.

Winnebago County
Hikers can enjoy a blufftop view of a maple-oak forest at Seward Bluff in the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County. The 0.8-mile Seward Bluffs Trail sits above Grove Creek valley and passes through a forest of yellow-, orange- and red-leaved maples and tan-colored oaks. From Rockford, take U.S. Hwy. 20 west. Turn left/south on South Pecatonica Road and then right/west onto Comly Road. Go right/north on the entry road into the preserve and take the first right/north, crossing a bridge over the creek. The road curves in a U-shaped; park in a pullout and pick up the trail heading left/west from the center of the U-shaped curved. A stem leads to a figure 8 trail.

Wisconsin

Rock County
Hikers can see unique sandstone rock formations in an oak-dominated forest at Magnolia Bluff County Park. A 1-mile looping nature trail heads along the limestone and sandstone bluff, the county’s second highest point. Autumn is colorful in the forest of black, red and white oak, shagbark and bitternut hickories, American and slippery elms, black cherry, red and sugar maples, white ash, basswood, hackberry, aspen, white birch, black walnut, and butternut. From Evansville, go south on Wis. Hwy. 59 then left/south on North Croak Road. Enter the park by turning left/east and park in the lot where the road ends. Head straight-west from the lot and follow the loop south.
***
A plethora of autumn colors await at the Rotary Botanical Gardens in Janesville. More than a half mile of trails wind through the 20-acre site, where 4000 varieties of plants grow in 26 garden styles. The best sections in autumn include the North Woodland Path, which runs by a pond, and the woodland walk and woodland glen areas. From the intersection of Interstate 90 and U.S. Bus. Hwy. 14, take the latter northwest. Turn left/southwest onto Palmer Drive. The botanical gardens are on the right/north.

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Beautiful views of the Rock River amid a canopy of yellow and orange leaves awaits hikers at Big Hill Park in Beloit. The 190-acre park sits on bluffs overlooking the river. A great route is the 1.9-mile round trip unnamed trail that runs through the park's south side then turns north with the Rock River below and ends at a parking lot on the Big Hill's northeast side. From downtown Beloit, take Sixth Street/South Afton Road north. Turn right/east onto West Big Hill Road then left/north onto Big Hill Drive. Park at the environmental education center and walk south alongside Bill Hill Drive; the trailhead is on the road's left/east side.

Walworth County
Among the best places in southwest Wisconsin to enjoy fall colors are its moraine ridges. They offer terrain relief and slopes where different trees can flourish. One great trail for hiking a moraine is the 9-mile round trip Lake La Grange Trail. Part of the trail climbs to a ridge 200 feet above the surrounding terrain, sporting a hardwood forest of yellow-orange-red sugar maple, bronze basswood, and gold to maroon-colored white ash. From Whitewater, take Bluff Road east. Turn right/south on Duffin Road. Park at the Ole Oleson Historic Log Cabin and from there join head east on the connector to the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. Go south on the Ice Age Trail.

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A pleasant walk through the woods past a tiny stream at Price Park Conservancy near Elkhorn will delight day hikers, especially during fall. The 0.51-mile Red Loop heads through a forest of sugar maple, shagbark hickory, elm, oak and dogwood and and a grove of evergreens near a tributary to Sugar Creek. In autumn, the trees turn orange-gold, with an occasional purple crown. From Elkhorn, take U.S. Hwy. 12 north. Turn right/east onto Potter Road. then left/north onto Hodunk Road. The parking lot is on the left/west.

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A pleasant walk alongside a small creek through a woods awaits hikers at Springs Park in Delavan. During autumn, the trees shimmer gold on the 1.3-mile round trip trail next to Swan Creek. The trail is located in the lower part of the 33-acre park. In Delavan, from the junction of Spring Lane and West Washington Street, take the latter east. Turn right/south into the park.

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Though known for its beautiful Lake Geneva shoreline, Big Foot Beach State Park is an excellent place to enjoy autumn leaves. Each fall, the leaves of hardwood trees turn gold, orange, russet and olive. One of the best routes for walking under the harvest-hued canopy is the 1.3-mile Yellow Trail, which loops through the park’s wooded western section and past Ceylon Lagoon. In Lake Geneva, take South Lake Shore Drive south to Buttons Bay. Turn left/east into the park and leave your vehicle at the first lot on the road’s left/north side. The trail is on the lot’s north side.

Read Part 2

Fall color hikes abound in Stillwater MN area

Brown's Creek State Trail

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

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

Brown’s Creek State Trail (Stillwater)
Hikers can enjoy fall colors alongside a river and creek on Brown’s Creek State Trail. The 5.9-mile (one-way) trail connects Stillwater and the Gateway State Trail in Grant. A mile of the trail parallels the St. Croix River while another two miles sticks to its namesake creek. Leaves usually peak late September to mid October. From downtown Stillwater, take Minn. Hwy. 95 north. Park in either lot on the road’s right/east before or after Laurel Street. The trailhead runs north from Laurel Street east of the lots.

Lake Elmo Park Reserve (Lake Elmo)
A variety of autumn colors can be enjoyed in the maple-oak forests at Lake Elmo Park Reserve. The 3.8-mile Eagle Point Trail loops around the wooded lake for which the route is named. Paper birch, ash, cottonwood, as well as several types of evergreens, dot the landscape. From Minn. Hwy. 36 in Lake Elmo, take County Road 17/Lake Elmo Road south. Turn right/west onto County Road 14/Stillwater Boulevard then left/south onto Keats Avenue and enter the reserve. After passing the Nordic Center, go right/west into a parking lot. The trail is on the lot’s west side.

William O’Brien State Park (Marine on St. Croix)
Day hikers can learn about the power of floods on the St. Croix River via the Riverside Trail at William O’Brien State Park. The 1.5-mile trail loops through a floodplain and typically is open during summer and autumn when water levels have gone down. The fresh scent of pine needles upon the trail and the gentle rush of water along the river’s rock walls instantly lulls you into a feeling of serenity. Roughly half of the trail follows the river, mainly through a good mix of hardwoods common to a floodplain forest in this region. During autumn, their leaves turn gold, red, orange and brown. Across the water is Wisconsin, and with the two undeveloped shorelines, tranquility reigns. From Marine on St. Croix, take Minn. Hwy. 95 north into the park. Turn right/east onto O’Brien Trail North/County Road 33. The road curves south, dead ending in a parking area alongside Lake Alice. The trail begins at the picnic grounds immediately east of the parking lot.

Battle Creek Regional Park (Maplewood)
Tan-colored oak and yellow-leaved birch await hikers at Battle Creek Regional Park in Maplewood. The 1.5-mile Battle Creek Loop passes tree-lined ponds and crosses ridgelines overlooking oak-filled gullies. From Interstate 94 east of St. Paul, exit right/south onto White Bear Avenue then turn left/east onto Upper Afton Road. Go right/south onto Winthrop Street then right/west into the park’s lot.

Big Marine Park Reserve (Forest Lake)
Hikers can enjoy a walk through a woodlands and on long pier at Big Marine Park Reserve. The unnamed trail in the Washington County park runs 0.75 miles round-trip. The turf trail leaves from the park’s western side, entering a deciduous forest, which makes for a colorful walk among yellow, orange, red, russet and olive leaves in autumn. From Forest Lake, take Minn. Hwy. 97 east. Turn left/south onto County Road 15/Morning Trail North. The park entry road (aka Lomond Trail North) is on the left/east. When the entry road splits, go straight/west, following it to the last/northernmost parking lot (the road loops back onto itself at the lot).

Osceola Bedrock Glades State Natural Area (Osceola, Wis.)
Fantastic river views beneath a colorful forest canopy await hikers on the this pair of trails near Osceola. Not to be confused with Ridgeview Trail at the adjacent Osceola Bedrock Glades State Natural Area, this pair of trails actually are two loops that only locals really know about. They run through the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway and the Osceola State Fish Hatchery on a bluff overlooking a St. Croix River back channel. The oranges and reds of maples dominate here with the occasional pine grove.

Great trails also surround St. Croix County

Cascade Falls in Osceola, Wis.

Wisconsin’s St. Croix County sits at the center of a hiking mecca, neighboring several counties that boast great day trails within a few miles of the border.

To the west on the other side of the St. Croix River, is Washington County, Minnesota. Among its great day hikes are the Kettlekamp Prairie Trail, which runs through a restored prairie at the Belwin Conservancy. Afton State Park’s North River Trail is a tranquil dirt path running next to the St. Croix River’s widest section. In the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway are the four-story Fairy Falls and the historic Boom Site with its sandstone formations, both just north of Stillwater. Hikers can learn about the power of floods on the St. Croix River via the Riverside Trail at William O’Brien State Park.

Polk County, where Wisconsin’s farmland begins to give way to the Northwoods, sits to the north. Some of the best scenery along the St. Croix River can be found there. Nearby hikes include: the Cascade Falls Trail, which heads to a 25-foot waterfall in Osceola; the Stower Seven Lakes State Trail, which runs west of Amery through peaceful woodland, serene ponds, and picturesque farms; and the Clear Lake-Clayton Trail, an old rail line turned hiking trail that connects its namesake cities.

Heading deeper into central Wisconsin is Dunn County, which is similar in terrain and feel to eastern St. Croix County. Mainly farm country, there are a few good trails at the Bjornson Education-Recreation Center, most notably a loop that passes a bubbling creek.

To the south is Pierce County, where the St. Croix River ultimately flows into the Mississippi. The Purple Trail takes hikers to that confluence at Kinnickinnic State Park. A little upstream, the Glen Park Trail heads over 500 million-year-old rock in River Falls. On the county’s east side, hikers can explore Wisconsin’s largest cave via the Crystal Cave Tour.

St. Croix County also shares a tangential boundary with Barron County.

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

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.

Minn.’s Washington County delivers on trails

Sandstone formations along the St. Croix River at historic Boom Site.

Located along the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, Minnesota’s Washington County offers a number of great day hiking experiences.

Along the St. Croix River, the county boasts two state parks, including Afton on scenic Lake St. Croix and William O’Brien near Marine on St. Croix. Both parks include river access and trails heading through woodlands and restored prairies.

Also on the river or within viewing distance of it are the Carpenter Nature Center (which boasts apple orchards), St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park, and Belwin Conservancy (which includes a raised platform for watching a small buffalo herd). In the scenic riverway itself is four-story Fairy Falls and the historic Boom Site with its sandstone formations, both just north of Stillwater.

Inland, several county parks deliver impressive hiking opportunities. Most notable among them are Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park, Lake Elmo Park Reserve, and Big Marine Park Reserve. The latter heads around lakes.

All the parks are within an hour’s drive of most of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area and west-central Wisconsin.

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

St. Croix Valley’s best birdwatching trails

A number of day hiking trails in Minnesota and Wisconsin’s St. Croix River Valley offer great birdwatching opportunities.

As the river valley stretches directly north from the Mississippi River almost to Lake Superior, during spring and autumn several migratory birds stop off to feed and rest. Many even stay for the summer.

Here’s a sampling of the best river valley trails to spot birds.

Purple Trail (Kinnickinnic State Park)
An overlook of where the Kinnickinnic and St. Croix rivers merge is ice-free year around, making it prime feeding ground for American bald eagles during winter. Prairie restoration along a segment of the trail has created homes for partridge and ringneck pheasants.

North River Trail (Afton State Park)
Birds of prey, particularly red-tailed hawks and turkey vultures, find excellent feeding grounds atop the blufftop prairies and in the valley below where the St. Croix River reaches its widest span.

Hidden Ponds Nature (Black) Trail (Willow River State Park)
Three ponds amid woodlands is a favored nesting and feeding grounds for a variety of songbirds. The bright red scarlet tanager is among them.

Riverside Trail (William O’Brien State Park)
Traditional waterfowl, including geese and wood ducks, frequent Lake Alice and the St. Croix River along the trail. Bring some bread crumbs to feed them, which will delight any toddlers or preschoolers hiking with you.

Ridge View (Osceola and Chisago) Trails (St. Croix National Scenic Riverway)
Game birds including turkey and grouse, songbirds such as the scarlet tanager, and raptors like bald eagles, can be spotted in the diverse ecosystems the trail passes through.

Summit Rock Trail (Wisconsin Interstate State Park)
Atop the hill overlooking the river, sit and enjoy juvenile bald eagles gliding past you on the thermals. Often they fly within a few feet of you.

Redhorse Creek Northern Loop (Chengwatana State Forest)
A wide range of birds call this vast preserved area home. Among them are bald eagles, northern harriers, osprey, sandhill cranes, and warblers.

Hay Creek Trail (Crex Meadows Wildlife Area)
An internationally recognized bird area, just about any bird that frequents the Upper Midwest can be spotted at Crex Meadows. Most famous among them are giant sandhill cranes.

Read more about day hiking the scenic riverway in my guidebook Hittin’ the Trail: Day Hiking the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.

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.

Video of St. Croix beach at Afton State Park

Among eastern Minnesota’s prettiest waterbodies near an urban area is the St. Croix River. Though all of the waterway is protected by the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, not all of it is easily accessible.

One spot where you can get up close and personal with the St. Croix River is Afton State Park. Located at the edge of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area, the river widens in this section of its course and so often is referred in the area as “Lake St. Croix.”

More than 60 fish species call Lake St. Croix home; among them are walleye and muskies (Minnesota’s and Wisconsin’s state fish respectively), northern pike, largemouth and smallmouth bass, bluegill and crappie. White bass is particularly abundant near the park.

A beach stretches for several yards along a section of the park’s shoreline. Amenities include benches to enjoy the view.

Here’s a brief video of the St. Croix River lapping at the shoreline of Afton State Park:

A great trail to enjoy the lake from is the North River Trail. The paved route skirts the river’s western shore for 1.1-miles one-way (2.2-miles round trip).

Read more about day hiking the scenic riverway in my guidebook Hittin’ the Trail: Day Hiking the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.

Five kid-friendly activities in St. Croix NSR

A number of adventures await kids in the
St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.
Photo courtesy of NPS.

Children will love time spent in the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, where they can participate in a number of cool adventures:
g Become a Junior Ranger – Kids can earn a patch and partake in a swearing-in ceremony after completing an activity booklet and program at the riverway’s visitor centers.
g Complete a geological obstacle course – Clambering over ancient rock, fitting through The Squeeze formation, and gazing into seemingly bottomless potholes await at Minnesota Interstate State Park in Taylors Falls, Minn.
g Take a swim – Swimming beaches abound in the pristine St. Croix River. Afton State Park near Afton, Minn., and Point Douglas Park at Prescott, Wis., are two popular summer beaches.
g Stand in a fire tower – Children can go to the top of an observation tower looming 100 feet above the Kettle River, a tributary of the St. Croix River, at Minnesota’s St Croix State Park.
g Pretend to be a giant – Kids can walk across a large aerial photo of the riverway that covers several yards of the St. Croix River Visitor Center in St. Croix Falls, Wis.

Read more about day hiking the scenic riverway in my guidebook Hittin’ the Trail: Day Hiking the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.

St. Croix riverway abundant with day trails

St. Croix River south of St. Croix Falls, Wis.

National Park unit
includes 252 miles
of scenic shore

With the quiltwork of state parks, forests, and natural areas, county parks and other historical sites in the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, attractions abound – swimming beaches, boat ramps, campgrounds, shopping in historic towns, ski trails, and more. Well over 70 day hiking trails can be found along the two rivers.

Scenic riverway’s location
From south to north, the scenic riverway begins in Prescott, Wis., where the St. Croix River meets the Mississippi River. This wide stretch of the St. Croix often is referred to as Lake St. Croix, which sports two state parks. At Afton, Minn., and Hudson, Wis., the Interstate 94 bridge handles the greatest amount of vehicle traffic over the river. From there, Willow River State Park sits on a tributary to the St. Croix in what is Lake St. Croix’s most populous stretch, with the cities of Bayport, Oak Park Heights and Stillwater on the Minnesota side and Hudson and North Hudson on the Wisconsin side.

North of Stillwater, the population falls off greatly, with William O’Brien State Park in Minnesota sometimes outpacing the census of the neighboring town, Marine on St. Croix. Then another cluster of villages appears – Osceola, Dresser and St. Croix Falls on the Wisconsin side and Taylors Falls in Minnesota. There the twin jewels of Minnesota and Wisconsin Interstate State Parks straddles the St. Croix O’ the Dalles, a beautiful gorge that the river flows through.

North of this region, the river bulges westward, with a state park in Minnesota and several state forests and state natural areas on both sides, before curving eastward to Danbury, Wis. A few miles north of town, the river ceases to be the state border as it heads northeast, taking in the Namekagon, and then coming to the Saint Croix Flowage near Gordon, Wis. The scenic riverway ends at the dam creating the lake.

West of the flowage, the St. Croix continues northward as a narrow waterway to its headwaters at Upper St. Croix Lake. In all, it’s a 169-mile journey.

The St. Croix’s largest tributary, the Namekagon, meanders for 101 miles, crossing four Wisconsin counties. It’s a major recreational area, with a number of boat landings and campsites, especially in Sawyer and Washburn counties.

From west to east, the Namekagon dips south to Trego, Wis., before heading northeast through Hayward, Wis. Its headwaters are at Namakagon Lake in the Chequamegon National Forest. The tributary runs 101 miles.

Attractions
The National Park Service operates two visitor centers in the riverway. The St. Croix River Visitor Center is in downtown St. Croix Falls and open from mid-April to Oct. 27. It boasts a 500-gallon freshwater aquarium. The Namekagon River Visitor Center is a mile east of Trego and open from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day. Hours for both visitor centers are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Major parks, nature centers, and public forests on or near the scenic riverway (from south to north and west to east) include:
g Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center (Hastings, Minn.)
g St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park (Hastings)
g Kinnickinnic State Park (Prescott)
g Afton State Park (Afton)
g Willow River State Park (Hudson)
g William O’Brien State Park (Marine on St. Croix)
g Osceola Bedrock Glades State Natural Area (Osceola)
g Wisconsin Interstate State Park (St. Croix Falls)
g Minnesota Interstate State Park (Taylors Falls)
g Wild River State Park (North Brach, Minn.)
g Governor Knowles State Forest (Grantsburg, Wis.)
g Chengwatana State Forest (Beroun, Minn.)
g St. Croix State Park (Hinckley, Minn.)
g St. Croix State Forest (Sandstone, Minn.)
g Brule River State Forest (Solon Springs, Wis.)
g Chequamegon National Forest (Cable, Wis.)

Read more about day hiking the scenic riverway in my guidebook Hittin’ the Trail: Day Hiking the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.

Minn.'s Afton State Park day hiking trails ramble through variety of ecosystems

The North and South River Trails follows almost three
miles of old railroad bed. Photo courtesy of Minn. DNR.

A number of unnamed trails crisscross Minnesota’s Afton State Park, located alongside the St. Croix River east of Minneapolis/St. Paul.

The state park sits on a glacial moraine and despite its compactness still provides hikers with a variety of ecosystems to enjoy, including a crystal blue river, a forested stream, and a small meadow.

To reach the park, from Interstate 94 take Minn. Hwy. 21 about 4.5 miles south of Afton, Minn. Turn east into the park at the Minn. Hwy. 20 intersection. Follow the entry road to a set of seven parking lots in front of the visitor center. Pick up a park map, as you’ll have to take connecting trails to reach the ones listed here.

Among the park’s best (and named) trails are:
• Deer Valley Loop – For a solid workout and great vistas, try this 2.2-mile trail, which heads up and down the bluff overlooking the St. Croix. You’ll need to first hike 1.3 miles of connecting trails to reach the trailhead for a 4.8-mile round trip.
• Prairie Loop – The 2.1-mile trail circles a blufftop prairie and can be extended by taking loops off the main route. A mile of connecting trails are needed to reach the trailhead for a 4.1-mile round trip.
• North River Trail – A tranquil dirt trail runs next to the St. Croix River’s widest section. The 2.2-miles round trip also offers the opportunity for a swim to cool off when the walk is all over.
• South River Trail – The 3.2-mile round-trip trail rambles alongside the St. Croix River through a woods. It offers great views of the scenic Wisconsin shoreline.
• Trout Brook Loop – The trail heads alongside and over Trout Brook, a St. Croix tributary, then behind a small border that borders the stream. Though only 1.5-miles long, you’ll need to hike 2.3 miles of connecting trails to its trailhead, resulting in a 6.1-mile round trip.

Read more about day hiking the scenic riverway in my guidebook Hittin’ the Trail: Day Hiking the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.

Enjoy quiet day hike along Lake St. Croix

Swimming beach on North River Trail in early spring.

North River Trail map

Swimming beach also found
on tranquil nature trail

Day hikers can enjoy a pleasant walk alongside the widest section of the St. Croix River 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.

To reach the park, take Minn. Hwy. 21 about 4.5 miles south of Afton. Turn east into the park at the Minn. Hwy. 20 intersection. Follow the entry road to a set of seven parking lots in front of the visitor center; any one of them will work with a trailhead or a connecting trail on each lot’s east side; just always be sure to veer left/north when coming to the first trail junction. If taking the southernmost (first) parking lot along the entry road, you’ll add about 0.3 miles one-way to the hike.

Wide and deep
The trail gradually veers toward the St. Croix, which at this point on its course is known as Lake St. Croix because of its width. Lake St. Croix stretches south from Stillwater, Minn., to Prescott, Wis., where the river joins the Mississippi.

The St. Croix reaches its widest at 1.25 miles just north of the state park. Its deepest point is 78 feet.

Between the parking lot and river, the North River Trail passes picnic areas, a shelter, and telescopes for viewing the scenic Wisconsin side across the sapphire-colored water. The trail goes by the swimming beach about a half-mile to 0.75 miles into the hike.

As the trail stays close to the river below the bluff, trees along the way can be underwater during spring flooding and other high water years.

Record fish
Once away from the beach, the trail becomes a tranquil, natural path. Your only company likely will be the birds of prey circling for fish and the number of recreational boats enjoying the river.

This section of the river is extremely popular among anglers. More than 60 fish species call Lake St. Croix home; among them are walleye and muskies (Minnesota’s and Wisconsin’s state fish respectively), northern pike, largemouth and smallmouth bass, bluegill and crappie. White bass is particularly abundant near the park.

Some fish size is exceptional. Minnesota’s state record catfish – coming in at 70 pounds – was caught in Lake St. Croix. Fishermen also have hauled in lake sturgeon weighing more than 50 pounds. Some channel catfish weigh in excess of 25 pounds.

At 1.1-1.4 miles from the visitor center, the trail veers west away from the river and climbs the hill up the bluff. This marks a good time to turn back. Before returning to your vehicle, stop at the visitor center to learn more about the river and ecosystems at the park.

This also is a bicycle trail, so be aware of the two-wheelers. During spring and early summer, always don repellent for mosquitoes, which is Minnesota’s unofficial state bird.

Read more about day hiking the scenic riverway in my guidebook Hittin’ the Trail: Day Hiking the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.