Hiking

Looking for places to hike in Minnesota?
Here is where I share information and observations about the trails I have explored.
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Elm Creek Park Reserve
Anoka county is the home of this expanse of forest and grassland just a bit north and west of Minneapolis. There are multiple ways to get here. If you drive, the best place to park depends on the activities you have planned for yourself. I followed the signs that directed me to the south parking…
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St. John’s Abbey Arboretum
St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota has approximately 3,000 acres of land and 15 miles of trails that are open to the public. This is very generous of them and I offer gratitude for it. “Make accessible a natural environment that invites spiritual renewal” That quote is from their mission statement. A worthwhile goal!
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Fairy Falls
Stillwater, Minnesota has a wealth of trails, streams, and interesting rock formations. I thought I had seen them all but this place was new to me. I’ve been there twice now and plan to return so I can continue to explore. It is a small acreage owned by the National Park Service with a lot…
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Banning State Park
This is a great park to check out for either a quick walk or a longer hike. It is close to Interstate Highway 35 and very convenient for people traveling between Minneapolis/St. Paul and Duluth.
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Hidden Falls / Crosby Farm Regional Park, St. Paul
How did this park escape my attention all these years? It is a gem of a park with many options for hikes of different lengths and difficulty levels. It is across the Mississippi River from Historic Fort Snelling.
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Rice Marsh Lake Park
This 3.2 mile (5 Km) loop circles a lake and wetland. It is partially in Eden Prairie, Minnesota and partially in Chanhassen, Minnesota. I parked in the lot off Dell Road in Eden Prairie.