Fall color hikes abound in Hastings MN area

Spring Lake Park Reserve

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

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

Spring Lake Park Reserve (Hastings)
Maple and ash trees along with some quite large oaks await hikers at Spring Lake Park Reserve. A 3-mile trail loops through a woods atop a bluff on the Mississippi River. Moss-covered rocks and birch accent the mostly maple forest. From Hastings, take Second Street west. When the street splits, go right/northwest onto Niniger Road, which naturally becomes 132nd Street East. Turn right/north onto Idell Avenue, which becomes 127th Street East when it curves west. Head right/north onto the park entry road and leave your vehicle in the lot for the playground. The connector trail heads east from the parking lot.

Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center (Hastings)
Day hikers can enjoy a walk down a bluff to the St. Croix River shrouded in colorful hardwoods and then through an apple orchard at the Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center. The South River Bluff Trail and a paved trail connecting it to the visitor center runs about 0.95-miles round trip to the shores of the St. Croix. Thirteen types of apples grow at the center; you’ll be able to purchase most of them in mid-September. From U.S. Hwy. 10 between Hastings and Prescott, take Minn. Hwy. 21 (aka as St. Croix Trail) north and watch for the signs; the center is on the right/east in about two miles. Once on the center entry road, park in the northern lot.

Kinnickinnic State Park (Prescott, Wis.)
Hikers can walk through a rare old growth oak forest on the Purple Trail at Kinnickinnic State Park. The 1.2-mile loop sits near the confluence of the St. Croix and Kinnickinnic rivers. Pioneers and 19th century logging companies cut most of the trees in this part of Wisconsin, but the trail passes through one of the few woodlands to escape the ax. The oaks are majestic, especially when their leaves turn tan, orange and brown in autumn. The trail includes a deck overlooking the confluence where eagles can be spotted. From Prescott, take Wis. Hwy. 29 east then turn left/north County Road F north. Turn left/west onto 820th Avenue then left/south into the park; follow the entry road west all of the way to its end and park in the St. Croix Picnic Area Lot.

Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park (Cottage Grove)
Day hikers can explore wooded gorges that run near the Mississippi River in Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park. Because of the varied hardwood trees – ash, aspen, birch and maple – the 2-mile packed turf Ravine Trail makes for a pretty autumn walk. From U.S. Hwy. 61 in Cottage Grove, go northeast on County Road 19 then right/southeast onto E. Point Douglas Road. The park service road is a left/northeast turn. Head to the second parking lot located where the entry road loops back on itself then walk northeast on the far-right trail.

Vermillion Highlands Wildlife Management Area (Rosemount)
Gold aspen and russet oak leaves await hikers at Vermillion Highlands Wildlife Management Area. The 4.6-mile Wetland and Pine Loop largely stays in the woods while circling a wetlands that drains into the Vermillion River. The wildlife area covers more than 2800 acres. From County Road 42 and Minn. Hwy. 3 in Rosemount, take the latter south. Turn left/east onto County Road 46 then right/south onto Clayton Avenue. A parking lot for the trailhead is on the right/west.

Fort Snelling State Park (St. Paul)
Two rivers reflect fall colors as you pass beneath a harvest-hued canopy at Fort Snelling State Park. The 3-mile Pike Island Trail loops around the isle at the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers with historic Fort Snelling on the bluff above. Cottonwood, silver maple, ash, and willow trees all thrive on the island. From the junction of Minn. Hwy. 5 and Post Road near Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, take the latter southeast. Turn left/northeast onto Snelling Lake Road. Park in the lot when the road runs out. Head northeast on Snelling Lake Trail and at the first junction go right/southeast onto Pike Island Trail.

Barn Bluff (Red Wing)
Yellow, orange and red maples with tan and russet oaks await hikers on Barn Bluff, a Red Wing icon. The 1.66-mile round trip South Trail heads through the wooded portion of the sandstone bluff and via the Kiwanis Stairway takes you to the top. The East Scenic Overlook offers a view of the surrounding river valley from 30 stories up. From U.S. Hwy. 61 in downtown Red Wing, go southeast onto Plum Street. Next, head left/northeast onto Fifth Street. When the road crosses under Hwy. 61, find a parking spot along the street. The trailhead is on the road’s left/northwest side.

Great autumn hikes around Forest Lake MN

Swedish Immigrant Trail

There’s no better way to experience autumn colors in the Forest Lake 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 Forest Lake to

hike. Some are right out your back 

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

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).

Swedish Immigrant Trail (Chisago)
Hikers can follow some of the same footpaths and rail lines that the region’s first Swedish immigrants used to settle Chisago County and Minnesota on the Swedish Immigrant Trail. During the late 1800s, many Swedish immigrants took the ferry across the St. Croix River and then footpaths to their destinations. A spur off the St. Paul-Duluth rail route to Wyoming opened during 1880, helping speed the immigration inland. Perhaps the best of the trail’s completed portions is the Shafer Segment, which runs roughly west of the hamlet through wooded areas and past bucolic landscapes. Birch trees dominate in some sections, but the trail is mainly lined by mixed hardwoods that leave the path and its grass shoulders covered in an array of colorful leaves during autumn. Park on the street in downtown Shafer, off of Redwing Avenue near 303rd Street. The trailhead is near 303rd and heads for about two miles east of Redwing. Look for the white signs with the trail logo in the blue and yellow colors of Sweden’s flag.

Minnesota Interstate State Park (Taylors Falls)
The southernmost section of Minnesota Interstate State Park offers a number of great day hiking trails to explore the Dalles of the St. Croix. To reach the area, from U.S. Hwy. 8 in Taylors Falls, turn east onto Milltown Road. A parking lot is at the end of the entry road. Along the parking lot’s northwest side are three trailheads. The Sandstone Bluff Trail heads northwest under Hwy. 8 to a nice vista of the valley and river gorge below. A 1-mile lollipop trail, it’s spectacular in autumn with a mix of colors from the orange maples, red sumac and brilliant yellow oaks.

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.

Wild River State Park (North Branch)
Silver maple and basswood flourish along the St. Croix River at Wild River State Park. The 1.5-mile River Terrace Loop and its stem trail circles through a bottomland forest in this popular park. Originally called St. Croix Wild River State Park – and it still appears on various maps that way – it’s now just Wild River State Park. From North Branch, take Minn. Hwy. 95 to County Road 12. Drive County Road 12 to the park entrance, and follow the main park road to a parking lot near the picnic area.

Fall hikes abound in southwest Twin Cities

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chanhassen, Minn.

There’s no better way

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

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum (Chanhassen)
Day hikers can enjoy a variety of autumn leaf colors at the famous Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. The 1.6-mile Ridge and Oak Trails Loop runs through woodlands at the 1100-acre arboretum. While the University of Minnesota facility is known for its gardens and award-winning tree collection, it also boasts a large natural areas, which the loop takes you through. Throughout the walk, sugar maple, sumac, birch and oak dominate. In Chanhassen, head west on Minn. Hwy. 5. Enter the Arb by turning left/south onto Arboretum Drive. After passing through the gatehouse, turn left/south when the road splits and park in the lot at the road’s end. The trailhead is on the park’s south side.

McKnight Lake (Chaska)
Hikers can enjoy the reflections of autumn colors as heading around tree-lined McKnight Lake. A 1.8-mile round trip trail loops around the lake and, should you wish to walk farther, connects to other trails. From the junction of U.S. Hwy. 212 and Minn. Hwy. 41/North Chestnut Street in Chaska, take the latter north. Turn left/west onto West 82nd Street then left/south onto McKnight Road. Watch for a dirt path going east and park off the side of the road there.

Bryant Lake Regional Park (Eden Prairie)
An oak and maple woods awaits hikers at Bryant Lake Regional Park. A 1.3-mile trail consisting of the park’s two southernmost loops partially runs alongside Bryant Lake. Cottonwoods and ash trees flourish in lower ground. From the junction of Interstate 494 and U.S. Hwy. 212 in Eden Prairie, take the latter northeast. Exit left/northwest onto Shady Oak Road. Turn left/southwest onto Old Shady Oak Road, which naturally becomes Rowland Road. Go left/southwest onto Bryant Lake Regional Access road and enter the park. Take the first left/south and park in the second lot. The trail heads west south of the lot.

Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area (Jordan)
An incredible variety of trees – and hence autumn colors – can be seen at the Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area. The 3.8-mile Lawrence Trail begins by heading through ash, box elder, and oaks, next enters a stand of ironwood and box elder, crosses a highland of burr oak, basswood and ash, then traverses stands of tall aspen and stately oaks. From Jordan, take U.S. Hwy. 169 northeast. Turn left/north onto County Road 57/Park Boulevard then left/north to the park’s trail center.

Lake Minnetonka Regional Park (Lake Minnetonka)
Shady woodlands await hikers at Lake Minnetonka Regional Park. A 1.8-mile trail, most of it unpaved, heads through a thick forest of tall trees. From Chanhassen, take Minn, Hwy. 5 west. Turn right/north onto Rolling Acres Road, a left/west onto Minn. Hwy. 7, then a right/north onto County Road 44. The park entry is on the right/east. Go right/southeast onto Old County Road and park in the first lot. Walk the road northwest then go left/west onto Minnetrista Regional Trail. The woods is on the other side of County Road 44.

Spring Lake Regional Park (Prior Lake)
Hikers can head through a forest of yellow, orange and red maple and olive-colored basswood at Spring Lake Regional Park. A 1.54-mile paved lollipop trail includes part of the Spring Lake Regional Trail. From Minn. Hwy. 13 in Prior Lake, take Eagle Creek Avenue NE northwest. Turn left/west onto 154th Street then left/south onto Stemmer Ridge Road, and lastly left/southeast onto Skuya Drive NW into the park. Use the lot on the road’s left/north side and take the path east then south on the regional trail.

Murphy-Henrehan Park Reserve (Savage)
A canopy of maple and oak leaves await hikers at Murphy-Henrehan Park Reserve. The 1.8-mile Knob Trail loops through the woodlands as well as past Henhrehan Lake and a pond. From Minn. Hwy. 13 and Egan Drive on the Prior Lake-Savage border, take the latter east. Turn right/south onto County Road 27/Dakota Avenue then left/east onto 154th Street, and right/south onto Murphy Lake Boulevard. Once in the park, take the first left/east and park. The trail leaves from the lot’s southeast corner.

Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge (Shakopee)
A wetlands may not seem like the best place to see fall colors, but often the uplands of such areas make for excellent autumn hikes. One such spot is the Louisville Swamp area of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. A 4.8-mile round trip hike on a segment of the State Corridor Trail – the trail includes part of the Little Prairie Loop and a connector trail – heads through large cottonwoods, ash, willows and maples along the Minnesota River. From Shakopee, take U.S. Hwy. 169 south. Exit right/west onto Red Rock Drive. Turn left/west onto 145th Street. The road ends at the parking lot for the trailhead. From the parking lot, take the Little Prairie Loop west, go north on the connector trail to the State Corridor Trail, then once at the trail go east. Turn back at at the boundary for the Carver Rapids Unit, which is managed by the Minnesota DNR.

Gale Woods Farm (Victoria/Minnetrista)
Autumn colors and a harvest vibe abound at Gale Woods Farm near Minnetrista. A 2.1-mile limestone trail rambles through the park’s rolling hills and past two lakes and a working farm featuring sheep, pigs, cows and more. From Victoria, take Minn. Hwy. 7 west. Turn right/north onto County Road 44 then left/west onto County Road 110. Go left/northeast onto County road 11 Extended into the Three Rivers park.

Fall color hikes abound in Anoka County, MN

Bunker Hills Regional Park

There’s no better way to experience autumn colors in Anoka County 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 Anoka County to

hike. Some are right out your back door, while some are a day trip that you can do in an afternoon.

Rum River Central Regional Park (Anoka)
Cottonwood, basswood and maples make for a beautiful autumn walk in Rum River Central Regional Park. The 3.25-mile Rum River Trail loops through the park’s riverine forest; about half of the trail runs along the Rum River. From U.S. Hwy. 10 in Anoka, take Seventh Avenue north. After crossing the Rum River, turn right/east onto Park Road. When the road splits in the park, go right/south. Leave your vehicle in either of the next two parking lots; the trail runs alongside them.

Pioneer Park (Blaine)
Maple and oak trees line the paths at Pioneer Park in Blaine. A loop and the two stems to it run about 0.8-miles round trip. About half of the 100-acre city park is an upland woods with most of the trails paved. From Minn. Hwy. 65 and 125th Avenue NE in Blaine, take the latter east. The park’s main entrance and a parking lot is on the left/north.

Kordiak Park (Columbia Heights)
A canopy of colorful autumn leaves covers a pathway that almost fully loops Highland Lake at Kordiak Park. A 1.5-mile trail heads around the lake’s south, west and north sides as well as runs to adjoining streets. From Central Avenue NE, take 49th Avenue NE east. The parking lot is on the avenue’s left/north side after passing Fairway Drive NE.

Bunker Hills Regional Park (Coon Rapids)
Majestic burr and red oak groves await hikers at Bunker Hills Regional Park. A 2.5-mile paved loop is especially stately in autumn when the burr oak turns a golden yellow-brown and the red oak various shades of crimson, burgundy, yellow and orange. A few paper birches, whose white trunks support aureate-colored leaves, can be found near the marshy sections. From the intersection of U.S. Hwy. 10 and Main Street NW in Coon Rapids, take Main Street east; turn left/north onto County Road A and park in the lot on the right/east side of the highway just before the junction with County Road B. Pick up the trail from the lot’s northwest side. The loop runs north/east of County A, east and north of County B, and south of Bunker Lake.

Innsbruck Nature Center (Fridley)
Hikers can head through an oak woodland at Innsbruck Nature Center. A roughly 2-mile round trip trail loops around a small pond and heads to the center’s far corners. Interpretive signs along the way tells about Innsbruck’s birds, wetlands, geology and more. From Minn. Hwy. 65 in Fridley, go east on Mississippi Street NE. Turn right/south onto Central Avenue NE, then left/east onto Gardena Avenue NE, and finally right/south onto Arthur St. NE. The nature center is on the left/east.

Lakeside Lions Park (Spring Lake Park)
Walkers can enjoy a paved path line by fall foliage at Lakeside Lions Park. The 0.35-mile loop partially heads alongside Spring Lake. From Mounds View Boulevard in Spring Lake Park, take Pleasant View Drive south. The park is south of Hillview Road.