Great River Bluffs (MN) State Park - King’s Bluff Trail

Black-eyed Susan on the prairie

Minnesota's Great River Buffs State Park is an all-season wonder with many trails. The Kings Bluff Ovelook Hiking Club trail is a definite must if you are in the La Crescent/La Crosse area. You can do it as a 2.5 mile out-and-back hike that is perfect for hikers of almost all abilities. Or you can lengthen your hike by hiking the many trail loops connected to it through pine forest, prairie, wetlands and woods.

The trailhead

 

The hike starts at the first parking lot on your left after you pass the Welcome Center at the park's edge. A trailhead sign and a sign reminding you that this is timber rattlesnake country start you on your way. 

Pines early in hike

The main trails heads straight into an old pine plantation with a couple of connector trails with maps along the way. You will eventually come to a main intersection with a bench and trail map just slightly to your left. Head down this trail to earn the reward at the end!

Hiking through the woods

On this .75 mile part of the trail, you will pass through a beautiful hardwood forest that has abundant ephemerals in spring, mushrooms in the summer and expansive views through the trees in the winter. There are informational signs along the way that highlight the restoration work going on. Near the end of the trail you pass by a park border marked with signs and descend slightly before making your final short climb to the King's Bluff Overlook and its surrounding prairies and bluffs.

Cylindrical blazing star

To the west, from the first Pasque flowers in spring through the asters of fall, the restored goat prairie is awash in flowering forbs and grasses. Pollinators are in evidence and during nesting season you may hear/spot bluebirds near the bluebird boxes. To the east, you get a magnificent view of the backside of neighboring Queen's Bluff, a special scientific area (sorry, no hiking there).

At the overlook

You also see the Mississippi River and it's sloughs against the backdrop of the Wisconsin bluffs that hem it in. A bench lets you drink in the views and you will find your Hiking Club password nearby.

The Kings Bluff trail in blue from the Great Rivers Bluff State Park map

THE HIKE
A lovely rolling, fairly easy (52 ft in elevation gain) 2.5 mile out-and-back hike that can be done by hikers of most abilities. The highlights include a lovely prairie and spectacular views of surrounding bluffs and the Mississippi River. The hike can be extended additional miles by exploring the many loop trails that branch off the main trail and from across from the parking lot into meadows and bluffside trails that explore a good portion of the park and its overlooks. 

The Location: 43604 Kipp Road, Winona MN

Conveniently located about a mile or two off Interstate 90 off the Nodine exit, turn north off the exit and right on Apple Blossom Drive. Look for the park sign and take a left at Kipp road. Follow it from the asphalt onto the gravel road. Less than a mile from the Welcome Center there is a parking lot on your left. Pit toilets are available at the Welcome area, picnic  and campground areas around the park.

Looking for more area hikes? Please stop by the web version of the blog and under the "Labels" tab on the right hand side of the blog, click on "find-a-hike". There are over 70 hike descriptions and lists of hikes to try!

A glimpse (through wildfire smoke) of Queen’s Bluff

Images - Marge Loch-Wouters

Additional posts describing Great River Bluffs State Park:

• Great Rivers Bluff State Park