Here are some great wildflower trails to hike in northern Minnesota.
Agassiz Self-Guided Trail
Old Mill State Park
Prairie wildflowers can be enjoyed through the summer at Old Mill State Park. The 1.3-mile looping Agassiz Self-Guided Trail runs alongside and through a prairie surrounded by miles of farm fields. Among the great number of wildflowers you can see here during the summer are prairie clover, purple coneflower, and bottle gentian. From Argyle take County Road 4 east. Turn left/north onto County Road 39. The park entrance is on the left/west in a half-mile. After entering the park, upon reaching a road junction, turn left/south. This leads to a parking area. The trailhead is at the parking lot’s southwest end. Trail map:
Avon Hills Trail
Avon Hills Forest State Natural Area
Wildflowers common to a classic Central Minnesota oak woods abound at Avon Hills Forest State Natural Area. The 0.6-mile round trip Avon Hills Trail crosses the northern part of the state natural area, which is mainly grassland, hardwood hills, and wetlands. Red oak and basswood dominate the woods. This create the perfect environment for a variety of spring ephemerals. From Avon take County Road 54 west. Turn right/north onto Tower Road then left/west onto Quaker Road. Immediately after passing Peach Drive, turn left/south into a small parking area at the state natural area’s northeast corner. The degraded footpath heads straight south across the open grassland. Trail map:
Buffalo River Loop
Buffalo River State Park
Day hikers can see both prairie and woodland wildflowers at Buffalo River State Park. The 1.8-mile round trip Buffalo River Loop consists of several short trails that when done together circle through the park’s highlights. The prairie wildflowers are most impressive, blooming from spring through summer. They include blanketflower, blue-eyed grass, Canada anemone, goldenrod, Nuttall's evening primrose, pasqueflower, prairie ragwort, purple coneflower, yellow coneflower, and yellow lady’s slipper. From Moorhead, take U.S. Hwy 10 east. In 14 miles, turn right/south onto County Road 44 and enter the park. Leave your vehicle at the picnic area parking lot. Walk back up the road to the west and pick up the Old Grande Trail heading right/north. Trail map:
Dr. Roberts Nature Trail
Itasca State ParkDay hikers can see Minnesota’s state flower – the showy lady’s slipper – on a short trail at Itasca State Park. A 2.3-mile loop, the Dr. Roberts Nature Trail includes a number of interpretive signs. Also known as the pink and white lady’s slipper or queen’s lady slipper, the orchid thrives in open fens, bogs and wet woods where it can receive plenty of light. From Bemidji take U.S. Hwy 71 south. Turn tight/northwest onto Minn. Hwy. 200 then left/west onto County Road 48. Next, go right/north onto County Road 1/Park Drive. Take the next left/south onto Park Road then right/west onto Douglas Lodge Drive. Park at the Douglas Lodge/Forest Inn lot. A guide to flora along the trail also is available at the trailhead or for purchase at the visitor center gift shop.
High Peak Trail
Glacial Lakes State Park
Hikers can see wetlands wildflowers on a trail at Glacial Lakes State Park. The 3.2-mile round trip trail described here consists of a stem leading to the High Peak Trail’s two connected loops. The trail is mostly flat with some small hills. It sits in the Leaf Hills area, a 19-mile stretch of hills between Detroit Lakes and Willmar. The portion of the trail nearest the lake heads through a woods of American basswood and burr oak. Two boardwalks cross a wetlands. Along the first boardwalk, look for several wildflowers, including swamp milkweed, Joe-pye weed and arrowhead. From Starbuck, take Minn. Hwy. 29 south. Turn left-straight/south onto County Road 41. The park entrance is on the left/east. Once in the park, take the third left and go east to the park road’s end, where there’s a parking lot. The trailhead is on the lot’s east side. Trail map:
Glacial Lakes State Park
Hikers can see wetlands wildflowers on a trail at Glacial Lakes State Park. The 3.2-mile round trip trail described here consists of a stem leading to the High Peak Trail’s two connected loops. The trail is mostly flat with some small hills. It sits in the Leaf Hills area, a 19-mile stretch of hills between Detroit Lakes and Willmar. The portion of the trail nearest the lake heads through a woods of American basswood and burr oak. Two boardwalks cross a wetlands. Along the first boardwalk, look for several wildflowers, including swamp milkweed, Joe-pye weed and arrowhead. From Starbuck, take Minn. Hwy. 29 south. Turn left-straight/south onto County Road 41. The park entrance is on the left/east. Once in the park, take the third left and go east to the park road’s end, where there’s a parking lot. The trailhead is on the lot’s east side. Trail map:
Moose Mountain Trail
Moose Mountain State Natural Area
Day hikers can see a variety of wildflowers as climbing to the summit of Moose Mountain Scientific and Natural Area. The 1.5-mile round trip Moose Mountain Trail isn’t an established route. Visitors have tamped down a footpath, though, that aims for the grassy, open area cut around the powerlines, which in turn heads to Moose Mountain's summit. Among some of the interesting wildflowers you’ll find on Moose Mountain are red and white baneberry, common yarrow, red columbine, field pussytoes, and spotted touch-me-not. In Duluth, take Minn. Hwy. 61 north. Turn right/north on County Road 12/Lester River Road. Drive for 3.4 miles and park the lot on the right/east. Trail map:
Nelsens Creek Trail
Gooseberry Falls State Park
Day hikers can enjoy a variety of wildflowers as walking alongside a pleasant stream flowing into Lake Superior at Gooseberry Falls State Park. The Nelsens Creek Trail is a 3.6-mile round-trip consisting of segments of other trails, including cross-country ski routes. During spring and summer, a variety of wildflowers bloom on this section, including Canadian mayflower, Virginia bluebells, trilliums, and wood anemone. From Two Harbors take Minn. Hwy 61 north. Upon entering Gooseberry, park in the first set of lots for the visitor center. Head past the center, but rather than take the trail to Middle and Lower Falls, go left toward Upper Falls. Cross the Gooseberry River via the suspended walkway. An asphalt pathway then passes the park’s original visitor center. The path in short order joins the Superior Hiking Trail. Go straight/northeast onto the SHT. Trail map:
Silver Creek Trail
Jay Cooke State Park
Day hikers can spot the yellow lady’s slipper as walking alongside the scenic St. Louis River and a stream in Jay Cooke State Park. The 3.25-miles round trip Silver Creek Trail, when combined with a segment of the East Ridge Trail, loops through ideal terrain for the lady’s slipper, which blooms about mid-June. From Duluth, head south on Interstate 35. Exit onto Minn. Hwy. 210 and drive east through Carlton. The park is about five miles from the freeway. Turn right/south at the River Inn Visitor Center and park in the lot nearest the river. The trail crosses a swinging bridge spanning the St. Louis. Trail map:
