Some people may think that living in a major metropolitan area limits the number of places to do some hiking. However, the Twin Cities does offer many wonderful places to go for both short and long hikes. Several places even offer up a variety of trail difficulty. With summer upon us, many people may be looking for a hiking adventure. Before having kids, my husband and I would go hiking every weekend during the summer and fall. Here are just a few of my favorite hiking places.
If you do not want to travel very far to reach an absolutely beautiful park, look no further than Minnehaha Park. Located along Highway 55 near the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport, it is a convenient place for city dwellers to get away. This 193 acre park overlooks the Mississippi River. With beautiful river overlooks, you can see the limestone bluffs the river has created from years of erosion. Probably the most spectacular sight in the park is Minnehaha Creek’s 53 foot waterfall. Trails lead down to the bottom of the falls so you can view this little piece of tranquility up close. And from experience, I can tell you that this place in particular is an excellent place to propose! The upper portion of the park is well maintained with many sidewalks. But if a good hike is what you are looking for, the lower portion of the park has been left in its natural state. If you follow along the creek, which leads to the river, you will find several trails that lead up and down the high embankments. In this part, you will also find many varieties of trees. In late September to early October, these trees change from vibrant green to the fiery colors of autumn. Natural beauty is what keeps people coming back to this park year after year.
Another park with abundant natural beauty is Interstate State Park. This is located in Taylor’s Falls, Minnesota and St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin. This park is divided by the St. Croix River along the Minnesota/Wisconsin border. The park is almost 1,400 acres between the two sides. Creeks flow through the area to the river, creating a large habitat for a lot of wildlife. This park, located about 45 miles from the Twin Cities, has some of the best views of the St. Croix River Valley. Lava flows from over a billion years ago have created amazing rock formations, such as Dalles of the St. Croix. Glacier movement and ancient sea levels have helped carve the rock into valleys and cliffs, making for excellent rock climbing. The park is also home to the world’s largest sinkhole, 60 feet, created by glaciers and moving boulders. Many of the park’s nine miles of hiking trails are rocky and lead you up and down the sides of the river gorge. Some of these trails get quite steep. They also get very slippery with moss. I’ve seen several people fall climbing over rocks and logs along the trails. There are many wooded areas that provide shade along the way. Be sure you bring your camera because this park has many places for terrific photo opportunities!
One of my absolute favorites is William O’Brien State Park, which is located just north of Marine-on-St. Croix. This park is set along the St. Croix River and offers miles and miles of trails. These trails offer opportunities for wildlife observation and take you through the wooded, rolling hills and wetlands of this 1,520 acre park. One thing I love about this park is the variety of trails. There are several to choose from, ranging from easy to moderately difficult. They even offer a handicapped accessible trail that is about two miles long. This park also offers a visitor center that includes an interpretive exhibit and naturalist programs. Because of the wetlands, you will probably encounter swarms of insects somewhere along the way. We sure did the last time we were there! Be sure to protect yourself before setting out on your hike.
Another great hiking spot can be found just south of the Twin Cities in the Apple Valley/Eagan area of Dakota County. Lebanon Hills Regional Park is almost 2,000 acres of trails, lakes, and outdoor sports as well as a visitor center. The visitor center offers information on the park, interactive displays, environmental education courses, and more. The park has about six different trailheads, most of which journey through wooded areas and around lakes. The one I tried was the Jensen Lake trail. The Jensen Lake area offers over 14 miles of summer hiking. Some parts of the trails lead you really close to the lake and can sometimes be very muddy. Other parts lead you over more rocky areas that can become slippery. However, there are trails that lead away from the lakes and are more suitable for those looking for an easy hike.
Whether you are looking to go hiking for a few hours or all weekend long, the Twin Cities has a variety of places within an hour of the metropolitan area. Overall, Minnesota has over 70 state parks along with many regional parks. Take time to slow down and experience these beautiful places Minnesota has to offer.
