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| Sugar Creek Bluff prairie |
The prairies listed feature fairly flat, dry sand prairies that are easily accessible for gentle hikes, to blufftop prairies remnants you earn with a significant gain in elevation, to goat prairies that are extremely steep and challenging.
Summer is the very best season to enjoy these gems, many of which are maintained and restored by groups like the Mississippi Valley Conservancy, The Prairie Enthusuaists and the Friends of the Blufflands, Park and Rec Departments and Friends groups among others. There are many familiar as well as rare plants you can enjoy.
Here are a few of my favorite prairie hikes to celebrate the summer in. You can click on the title for hike descriptions/locations. I've also graded the hikes on level of difficulty so you can match the destination to your ability.
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 has some ups and downs but is relatively moderate.
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| "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 are worth the price of your MN annual park sticker.
Recently acquired and protected by The Prairie Enthusiasts, this steep bluffside prairie is being actively restored by their Coulee Region chapter. A kiosk with information about the property and its donor, Dr. Marowski greets the public at a small cul de sac. The prairie and encircling woods features a large number of plants including the rare purple milkweed. While there are no signed trails, for the wandering prairie enthusiast, there are treasures to be found along its steep slopes.
Sugar Creek Bluff, Ferryville, WI - moderate
This Mississippi Valley Conservancy property features a steep restored and carefully maintained prairie at the end of an out-and-back forest walk of about a 1.5 miles. Spectacular views of the Mississippi River and MN bluffs along with a rich prairie environment await.
Rush Creek Bluff SNA, Ferryville WI - very challenging
You earn this goat prairie after a steep hike up an old logging road. Those in the know can also walk south from the parking lot and bushwhack up from the bottom - the lower third of the hike up the south esast side of the bluff is full of rare and amazing prairie plants. Not for the faint of hear or body.
Perrot State Park - Trempealeau WI - moderate to 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
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| Kellogg Weaver Dunes SNA Image - MN DNR |
Have your trails app on and explore this trailless series of sand dunes near the Mississppi River. Your reward is sightings of rare flora, fauna and insects throughout the growing season - including the elusive fameflower. There are patches of poison ivy throughout so stay alert but don't let that stop you from exploring this amazing ecosystem.
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 make 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.
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 can sometimes be difficult due to steep elevation changes.
Shelby Butterfly Gardens, Shelby WI - moderate to difficult
- Vetsch Park's Stoney Point, La Crescent MN - moderately difficult
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| Vetsch Park's remnant prairie |
- 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 - moderately difficult
- Greens Coulee/Savannah Oaks, Onalaska WI - difficult
- Wildwood Trail, Bluffside Park - Winona MN - easy
- Chickadee Trail, Bluffside Park, Winona MN - easy
- Reno Quarry Trail - Reno, MN - moderate
- Whitewater State Park (especially Dakota Trail and Eagle Point trails), Altura MN - difficult
Open Prairies
These prairies are fairly large and found at or near 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
- Effigy Mounds National Monument, Harper's Ferry, IA - moderate to difficult
- Norwegian Ridge Nature Trail, Spring Grove MN - moderate
- Apple Blossom Overlook Park, Winona MN - moderately 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.
Community Prairie and Butterfly Garden - Decorah IA - easy
This city butterfly garden and prairie was originally planted in 2002 to protect water quality on the Upper Iowa River. Start at the butterfly garden to learn what's in bloom and observe pollinators close-up. Then head into the expansive prairie to put your new forb knowledge to the test. There are 2 miles of mowed trails under Decorah's limestone cliffs, making it a lovely summer walk at whatever length and path you choose.
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.
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| Lemon cuckoo bumblebee gathering pollen on a coneflower |
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 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.
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.
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!
[Note: this post is an updated list of prairie hikes originally published June 6, 2025 ]
Images, unless noted - Marge Loch-Wouters
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| Holland Sand Prairie Image - Kris Lawson |
You can read my quarterly column on seasonal hiking suggestions in Inspire(d) Driftless Magazine available online or pick up a free copy at businesses and organizations around the Driftless areas of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa.
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