Crow Wing State Park

This park is between Little Falls and Brainerd, Minnesota on Highway 371. I remember when this highway was just one lane in each direction and if you were stuck following a slow vehicle it was a long way to Paul Bunyan Land. Usually that slow vehicle was pulling a boat on a trailer. Now this road has a median and two lanes in each direction. The trucks pulling boat trailers zip by me as I casually drive just under the speed limit in the right lane where I belong because I am in no hurry.

People familiar to this road know the place where the median gets wide enough to house a nice rest stop with tourist information and decent wifi. When leaving the rest stop, follow signs to go south but instead of turning onto the highway, go straight across the highway. In a couple miles you will be at the State Park ranger station. It was about noon on Halloween day when I arrived. A hand-written note on the window said “back at 2:00”. My State Park sticker was expired so I filled out the payment envelope. Easy. My brain did start calculating the probability of getting a ticket, but I decided not to risk it. Supporting State Parks is important. I have no problem paying $35 for the annual pass. It arrived in the mail shortly after I returned home. I hope I remember to attach it to my windshield before I lose it!

Following the road to the end, I found a spacious parking lot with a building that had restrooms with running water. Unfortunately they were closed for the season. The outhouse was fine. Clean cement floor and well vented, it gave me no reason to complain.

Starting the hike, I had the choice of following the river upstream or downstream, or entering the forest. I chose the forest. Walking on a carpet of leaves as the sun made a mosaic of bright spots and shadows, I was really enjoying myself.

Forest trail in autumn — Autumn trail in Minnesota!

Crow Wing River in Minnesota — Soon the forest trail joined the river trail and I had a nice view across the Crow River.

green grass, bare trees, blue sky — After seeing only tan and brown for a long time, stepping into this green clearing and seeing the blue sky was a striking contrast.

ice sheets sticking to the base of trees after a flood. — It is interesting how the ice adheres to the base of the trees even after the flood waters recede.

grass trail with farm fields on one side and the forest on the other. — Private farmland borders the park. The trail at the edge has forest on one side and farm fields on the other.

official trail map of Crow Wing State Park in Minnesota — This is what the trail signs look like that are throughout the park. The red dot says “you are here”. I plan to return to explore the north half of the park.

screenshot of map of Crow Wing State Park in Minnesota — This red line was my route. It was 3.93 miles (6.32 km) The green dot is the parking lot.

dirt road in forest — This is the road (for cars) to get to the group camp site. It looked so inviting when I came to the crossing that I decided to follow it to the next crossing instead of the hiking trail. Sometimes you do not realize how hard you are working until you stop. Walking on uneven ground takes more effort. This was a relief.

When I heard loud popping sounds that seemed close I was worried. It was not deer hunting season yet, but you never know when poachers might be around and I was not wearing blaze orange. It was a relief when I realized it was just the ice settling after the water level went down.

This was the best possible way to spend this day. After this hike I met my husband and son for dinner and then back to my cabin of solitude. It was a balance between activity and rest. It was a balance between interaction and solitude. I am learning.

If you have read all the way to end of this post, maybe you are a person who would be interested in being on my email list? I’ll send out updates on guided hike opportunities, gallery events, and volunteer opportunities.

Peace.

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