It's summer! What a great time to get out into the woods and trails for kids and their grown-ups.
This week in a series of posts, I am going to share some easy trails that are perfect for families who want to get out in the woods. I developed these lists as part of my MN Master Naturalist capstone project in April 2022. I love connecting people to lots of trail options to explore!
The hikes below are the first in the series. The links at the bottom of this post go to lists of additional hikes in nearby areas. I continue to add new destinations, so if you know of any hikes in this area, let me know in the comments!
Happy summer hiking!
 |
| Image - Gregory Watson |
LA CRESCENT & NEARBY MN TRAILS
Wagon
Wheel Trail – La Crescent - parking: opposite Swing Bridge on Shore Acres
Rd; near the city compost site at the end of Main St; Sportsman’s Landing on
the Hwy 14 pike or downtown La Crescent at the pedestrian/bike bridge/.
Easy, flat paved trail through wetlands and along the edge of the US Wildlife Refuge. Features include beaver lodges, wildflowers, eagle’s nest, wildlife, waterfowl, migrating birds, views of the Mississippi River along the Shore Acres Rd section and trains. The main walk through the wetlands from Shore Acres near the swing bridge to the city compost site is ¾ miles out and back. Trail can also be accessed over the La Crescent pedestrian/bike bridge over Hwy 61 (park in downtown) although it involves about a ¼ mile walk along the side of a road to the city’s compost site.
Veteran’s
Park Ravine Trail – 595 Veteran’s
Parkway, La Crescent
Easy gravel/grass trail (with paved section at the beginning) starting at the ball diamond and extending up to McIntosh Road E. There are a few easy ups and downs as you wind below neighborhood houses. Great area to spot deer, wildlife and wildflowers. Provides access to east trailhead at Eagle’s Bluff park. Approximately 1 mile out and back.
Apple Blossom Overlook
Park –
County Road 1, just north of La Crescent at the top of the bluff
Just north of La Crescent, this is actually a Winona Co park. Moderate grass, dirt hiking trails with some significant elevation gains. One of the best, most accessible Mississippi overlooks in the area is at the parking lot. Oak savannah, birch and other deciduous trees. Wildflowers, wildlife, birds in this former orchard/quarry area. Approximately 2 miles of well maintained, connecting trails. Picnic tables. Challenging trails to two additional outlooks but no safety features so supervision needed.
 |
| Vetsch Park, La Crescent Image - Gregory Watson |
One of two bluff city parks. Challenging trails with a lot of elevation gain and loss. Well-used by hikers, bikers and dog walkers the mostly unmarked 3-4 miles of trails wind back and forth along switchbacks across the park. Lower, family friendly trails feature mowed grass and higher challenging trails are dirt. Stoney Point Lookout has great views of the city. Features include a prairie, rock formations, remnant apple orchard and windmill, rare spring wildflowers and challenging climbs.
Great
River Bluffs State Park, 43605 Kipp Drive, Winona (off Hwy 90)
Our nearest state park has moderate trails to many amazing overlooks. King’s Bluff Overlook has moderate elevation changes and beautiful overlooks including the final one. Approximately 3 miles out and back. Easy hikes to North and South Overlooks – approximately 1/3 mile out and back. East Overlook and ridge trail along the road to the campground is moderate for elevation gains and has wildflowers and Mississippi views. Approximately 1.5 miles on out and back from each. Restroom facilities and well-marked trails.
Beaver Creek Valley
State Park, 15954 County 1, Caledonia
Cross the bridge and hike an easy flat trail next to the trout stream (filled with native wild trout) for approximately 2-3 miles on grass trails (can be out and back or use loops to return). There are also steeper, more challenging trails that are relatively short but feature significant elevation gain to views. A hidden gem.
Winona Lake Park Walk, W. Lake St, Winona
Paved 5 mile easy trail around the lake. Features
restrooms, picnic tables, shelters, wildflowers, wildlife and great lake views.
Hike the long loop or do small out and back sections.
Reno Bottoms Spillway Approx. 20 miles south of La Crescent on Hwy 26; heading south, turn left at canoe access sign before the Reno Recreation area
This lovely hike
on a graveled roads brings you right to the water’s edge and close-ups of
wildflowers, waterfowl and gorgeous views of both the MN and WI bluffs. The
trail is approximately 6 miles (all the way to the Genoa Dam) but just walking
the first mile is worth it. The spillway is sometimes impassable due to water
spilling over when water levels are high.
Aghaming Park
Trail, Winona Take the
bridge form Winona towards WI -stay in right lane which turns off and head down
& to your left. Cross the historic bridge before the parking lot and park
along the road by the trailhead.
This is a perfect hike site right along the Mississippi River in a beautiful
floodplain forest in the US National Refuge. You can go all the way to the
point (3 miles) or wander the woods admiring the river views (including fun house boats).
For more destinations, check out these blog posts:
Family-Friendly Driftless Trails - La Crosse/Town of Shelby (WI) Trails
Family-Friendly Driftless Trails - Onalaska/Holmen (WI) Trails
Beaver creek valley state park in Caledonia, MN!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! It is a favorite family destination. That stream, those flowers, the rock walls and all the wildlife. I’m glad you could second that recommendation above!
ReplyDelete