Whitewater (MN) State Park - Dakota to Meadow Trail Loop

One of MANY Dakota Trail views

There are a number of great trails on the west side of MN Hwy 74 in Whitewater State Park. Like the east side trails that are near the campgrounds, they feature a variety of trail types that can fit the tastes of any hiker.

There are two sets of trails in that area that I like to make into a loop hike. The Dakota trail is a challenging bluff hike and the Meadow trail is flat and brings you along a large pollinator prairie and wetland back to your start. You can access these trails from a number of points - the Visitor's Center; from roadside south of the Visitor's Center along Hwy 74; from the Group Center Road or at the southernmost parking lot just off Hwy 74 on the turn-off to the Group Center area. 

Dakota Trail to Meadow Trail Loop

This 4.2 mile loops gives you a good climb up to the blufftops (and then up and down on rolling hills with some good steep climbs and descents) on the westside of the park with great views, abundant forest cover, interesting rocks, river crossings, remnant prairies, fossils, spring wildflowers, ferns and fungi. It is also quite challenging on the Dakota segments. Once you are down in the Meadow trail, you can enjoy flat wetlands and prairies as you meander your way back to the original trailhead parking.

My route in red with trail intersections in yellow

Yes, this is near the beginning of the trail.  
Narrow with steep grade to the side.
Image - Nola Larson

When I have hiked the Dakota, I park in the southernmost parking lot off the road to the Group Center and start at the south trailhead (N). This segment is a pretty rough, narrow forested trail  - lots of ups and downs, steep sides, some erosion and brush narrowing the trail. But it's a quick way (without steps) to reach Eagle Point overlook (M) with a great view north and east. 

See the round concentric rings? Stromatolites!

There is a small prairie on top on a spur to the right as you come to (M) through the brushy prairie. While the path is often overgrown during summer, do take it. The variety of native wildflowers and grasses is stunning. But don't just look at the flora and great views. Keep your eyes peeled downward on the rock trail. You will see many fossilized stromatolites as you make your way to the overlook.

Fun rock formations and views in
this forested area with a clear understory

From the overlook, turn south back on the main trail (before you do, you'll notice stairs coming up from the Group Center Road - another trailhead (L) up to the Dakota!- and head along the ridgetop to Signal Point (K). This is often a wide trail with views across the valley, down to the Group Center and through the open understory forest. Parts of the trail are quite easy and wide. There are quite a few rock formations along this section of trail with plenty of wildflowers, fungi and ferns to keep you engaged. Stay alert though. Some of the trail narrows with steep drops as you wind your way around the valley's bowl. The trails can slope towards those drops so pick your way cautiously.

River crossing

The trail descends down towards the river where you make an easy crossing over stone blocks to the other side of the Whitewater River branch. The Valley trail (I) intersects here but you'll stay on the Dakota back up to the blufftop. You will pass more great views on the up and down trail and remnant prairies as well. As you near Coyote Point Trail intersection (D), you will encounter more hikers since from this intersection, you are on the state park's Hiking Club trail. I've had some good visits on this section and picked up lots of information from other hikers.

Heading down the steep trail via stairs

Past Coyote Point, you encounter a steep set of stairs that quickly bring you down to the trailhead past some pretty spectacular rock walls (E). I enjoy going down this steep section rather than climbing up those stairs (ugh!). In summer of 2024, many of the step sections were being replaced which makes the stairs better.  

Meadow Trail

Once at the trailhead, simply turn right and you will see the trailhead for the Meadow complex of trails along the valley floor. These wide mowed-grass and dirt trails wind along a branch of the Whitewater River and over a bridge. You can spot the rock formations above you on the surrounding bluffs in fall, winter and spring. 

Meadow Trail

The Meadow trails are particularly well suited for younger kids, people who are recovering from illness or injury or those who enjoy flatter trails with great views. There is an abundance of wildflowers on these1.7 miles of sun-filled trails. You can take the time to explore, birdwatch, enjoy the river and pollinator plantings, prairie and wetlands or you can take a more direct route (O) to the parking lot that you started from.

THE HIKE

This is a challenging, 4 mile loop that takes you from the bottom of the bluff, to the top, back down to a river crossing, up again to more spectacular views before descending a set of steep stairs. The Dakota trail portions have some rough sections along the bluffsides so use caution and a hiking stick. The views alone plus remnant prairies and flora, fungi and fauna are worth it though.

Once down, you can enjoy the flat Meadow Trails that follow the river's meander through native wildflowers  and great views of the bluffs, river and rocks above. The 1.7 miles of Meadow Trails are excellent ambles on their own with flat trails and expansive views across the prairie and up the bluff.

Be sure to stop at the Visitor Center for updates before the hike. In heavy rain seasons, the river crossings do flood and access is closed to certain trails.

The Location 19041 MN-74, Altura, MN 55910

• To access the Dakota Trail hike described above, park in the southernmost parking lot off the road to the Group Center. To reach the south trailhead (N), walk south out of the parking lot, cross the Group Center road over to Hwy 74 and you'll see the trailhead on your right. 
• To access the Meadow Trail hike only, start at the parking lot and head south or go along the Group Center road and take  (G) or (H) to your right. This is a great loop hike or Amble.
• For a shorter, easier access to the Dakota trail at Eagle Point, head up the Group Center road to (L) on your left and climb the stairs. Once at the top, you can access (M) and continue along the rim to Signal Point and back to Coyote Point overlook. 

A few of the many fungi we spotted
Image - Nola Larson

All images, unless noted - Marge Loch-Wouters