It’s Prairie Hiking Season!!

Zoerb Prairie, Upper Hixon Forest

Now that we've officially entered the summer season, I start to say goodbye to the riot of spring ephemerals in the woods. They are beginning to fade and die back and their variety and blooms will lessen as temperatures rise. They have been replaced by the vibrant greens of the summer forest floor.

Luckily, we are fortunate to live in a region with many prairies of various kinds - from fairly flat, dry sand prairies that are easily accessed to hike, to blufftop prairies remnants you earn with a significant gain in elevation to goat or hill side prairies that are extremely steep and challenging.

Here are a few of my favorite prairie hikes to check out as we get ready to celebrate National Prairies Day on Saturday June 7. You can click on the title for hike descriptions/locations.

Goat/Hill Prairies

Hixon Forest Prairies, La Crosse WI - moderate to difficult

A literal  prairie "string of pearls," on this hike take you to numerous goat prairies (and spectacular views) in various stages of restoration thanks to TPE, Friends of the Blufflands and the city. You can reach the closest three prairies by doing a 2.3 mile loop or extend the hike to reach Vista and Stry prairies to the east. The hiking to the first three prairies have ups and downs but is relatively moderate.

"String of Pearls"prairies in yellow
City of La Crosse Park and Recreation map

Great River Bluff State Park, Nodine MN - moderately easy

The King's Bluff trail is notable for its fine hill prairies along its route. From pasque flowers in the early spring all the way through the asters of fall, the prairies here never disappoint. Restoration work is ongoing at this state park and SNA. And of course, the views of the Mississippi River and Queen's bluff at the end of the out-and-back trail is worth the price of your MN annual park sticker. This has some hilly sections but is considered moderately easy.

Norwegian Ridge Nature Trail, Spring Grove MN - moderate

A great spot for birding and and woods walk, there is also a large prairie that you can walk through with abundant flowers and grasses. There are a few climbs along the trails but they are broken up by gorgeous scenery and many birdsongs. 

Appleblossom Overlook Park, Winona MN - moderately easy

This county park just 2 miles north of La Crescent is a former apple orchard. While it has forested areas and views, it also features a large swath of restored prairie pollinator plantings on the southwestern half of the trails. Butterflies and dragonflies abound on this slightly hilly trail along with prairie forbs and grasses. 

Perrot State Park - Trempealeau WI - difficult

Brady's bluff trail takes you through a large steep goat prairie south of the shelter at the top. Flowering spurge is quite prominent but sharp-eyed hikers will spot other prairie stalwarts on the steep slope. 

Dry Sand Prairies

Holland Sand Prairie

Holland Sand Prairie, Holmen WI  - easy

This Mississippi Valley Conservancy property near the edge of a subdivision is a riot of prairie plants. Regular prescribed burns makes this tract one of the best destinations for frequent return trips to see the constant carpets of ever-changing , blooming prairie plants. Easy.

Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge, Trempealeau WI - easy

While best known for it's migratory birds and wetlands, the refuge has a spectacular trail that hugs a series of old sand dunes and is a riot of dry sand prairie forbs and grasses. The hills in late May to early June are carpeted in blue wild lupines but any time in the summer you can find colorful prairie plants on this flat trail suitable for any ability. 

Upper Mississippi River National Fish & Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, Onalaska WI - easy

Located at N5727 County Rd Z, Onalaska, WI on Brice Prairie, the "trails begin at the visitor center and wind through a restored sand prairie. Paved pathways lead from the visitor center to the Lake Onalaska Overlook, connecting to longer packed gravel loops along the way. Plenty of native prairie plants provide year round color and are a-buzz with wildlife from late spring through fall. Outdoor restrooms are available year round." This is always a beautiful and well-maintained prairie. 

Borah Creek Prairie SNA, Fennimore WI - moderate to challenging.

This sand prairie in southwest WI stretches over acres. There are few trails but walking right into the prairie itself reveals an ever-changing variety of forbs, grasses, birds and insects.  

Bluff-top Mini-Remnant Prairies

These lovely little jewels are a reward at or near the top of bluff hikes. While small, they are stunning in their variety, full of rare and familiar native plants. They are seldom burned or maintained so can be overgrown but are rewarding for the welcome pops of color when coming out from forest trails. These hikes are usually difficult due to steep elevation changes

South Park's goat prairie, Houston

• Vetsch Park's Stoney Point, La Crescent MN - moderately difficult

• South Park, Houston MN - difficult

• Maglessen Bluff - Rushford MN - easy from park top

• Beaver Creek Valley State Park , Hole-in-the-Rock Trail- Caledonia MN - moderately difficult

• Yellow River State Forest, Luster Heights Unit - Harper's Ferry, IA - easy

• Yellow River  State Forest, Paint Rock Unit - Harper's Ferry, IA - difficult

• Greens Coulee/Savannah Oaks, Onalaska WI - difficult

• Wildwood Trail, Holzinger Trails - Winona MN - easy

• Reno Quarry Trail - Reno, MN - moderate

• Whitewater State Park (especially Dakota Trail and Eagle Point trails), Altura MN - difficult

Bluff-top Flat Prairies

These prairies are fairly large and found at the top of bluffs.

• Easter Road Hass Conservancy, La Crosse WI - moderate to difficult
• Upper Hixon Forest Thompson Prairie Loop - County FA, La Crosse WI - easy

Pollinator Gardens

I am including some planted "pollinator gardens" because they boast a stunning variety of prairie forbs, grasses and pollinating insects - and a few provide more accessible hikes for all abilities.

Eastern tiger swallowtail

Vetsch Park, La Crescent MN - easy

A huge swath of pollinator plants (and insects) greet you at the parking lot of this park. You can follow the easy, sunny, mowed trails suitable for anyone of any ability. If you want to see a small remnant hill prairie, head up the spiderweb of trails to the top at Stoney Point for delicate wildflowers and prairie plants clinging to the hillside.

Mathy Quarry, La Crosse WI -easy

This Mississippi Valley Conservancy and City of La Crosse property has some great restored pollinator prairies full of insect and bird life. Trails can be hilly but one or two are flatter and bring you up to great views on your way to and from the pollinator prairies.

Shelby Butterfly Gardens, Shelby WI - moderate to difficult

These scout-project gardens sit atop a bluff. While not continuously maintained and so are a bit rough with some invasives, there are still abundant flowers and insect life that await you at the end of your bluff climb.

Lake Park pollinator gardens

Lake Park Walk Pollinator Gardens, Winona MN - easy

Along the north shore of East Lake, there are a number of shoreline pollinator gardens with a variety of native prairie flower blooms from spring to fall. The paved asphalt makes this path accessible for any ability.

Whitewater State Park, Altura MN - easy

The Meadow Trail (first parking lot on your left if coming in from the south) has a robust sand prairie combined with stream views and rock wall views as you cross footbridges and wander this area. Very easy and flat.

Identifying prairie flowers- Hass Conservancy
Image - Kris Lawson

I hope you can head out and enjoy some prairie beauty this summer and fall. Be sure to let me know in comments what other prairies you know about. I'd love to hike them and tell everyone. To read more about remnant prairies, please stop here.

See you on the trails!

All images, unless noted - Marge Loch-Wouters