?? not to be dramatic but... leaves





explore minnesota | minnesota outdoors | it's crunch time | person on a rocky cliff overlook, gazes down at vibrant orange and red trees below [ [link removed] ]





by james riemermann

Moderate temperatures, infrequent rain, and a complete lack of mosquitoes make autumn prime hiking time in Minnesota. From the craggy North Shore to the soaring, wide-open spaces of Bluff Country, here are some of the prettiest places to plant your boots this fall.






3 pics in a camera roll: older woman and small child by lake & yellow trees, hiking boots walking on orange leaves, group hiking golden bluffs [ [link removed] ]





maplewood state park

woman in knit hat and gloves hikes around a lake with bright red leaves in foreground and orange, yellow, and green trees in the background. [ [link removed] ]

 

Maplewood State Park's 25 miles of trails lead to magnificent views of the surrounding forests of sugar maple, basswood, elm, oak and aspen trees from the tops of hills as high as 1,600 feet. A half-mile hike to Hallaway Hill Overlook is rewarded with a spectacular view of Lake Lida and Hallaway and the hardwood forest below.

 

The park's 9,000 acres lie in a transition zone between the forests to the east and the prairies to the west. Approximately 150 bird species and 50 species of mammals live in the park, including white-tailed deer, beaver, raccoon, herons and raptors. Prairie hikes lead through growths of wild onion, showy milkweed, beardtongue and prairie rose, some of which flower in the fall. 






left double quotation mark in yellow
cross numerous rivers and streams with waterfalls flowing through colorful forests, topped off by many vantage points overlooking the vast waters of lake superior.
right double quotation mark in yellow









mississippi river bluffs

a group of three friends all in hiking boots, one with a transtibial prosthesis, one with a cross body bag, and one with a shaved head. [ [link removed] ]

 

Red Wing is home to the stunning Barn Bluff, with magnificent views of the river and the city from a 400-foot-high peak. It's less than a mile to the top on either of two trails leading up. The South Trail leads to a scenic overlook at the western end of the bluff, from which the Prairie Trail leads back to another overlook at the eastern end.

 

Frontenac State Park contains 13 miles of hiking trails along the shore of Lake Pepin. The easiest is a mile-long fully accessible trail connected to an accessible picnic site with a gorgeous view of the river. More challenging is the Bluff Side Trail, a loop descending 430 feet by wooden stairs and switchbacks down to the river then back up to the picnic area. 






superior hiking trail

man in flatbill hat with medium sized, short haired dog, sit on a cliff overlooking two oval lakes. Orange and green trees surround the lakes below. [ [link removed] ]

 

Running more than 300 gorgeous miles from Jay Cooke State Park south of Duluth to the Canadian border at Grand Portage, the Superior Hiking Trail crosses numerous rivers and streams with waterfalls flowing through colorful forests, topped off by many vantage points overlooking the vast waters of Lake Superior. The trail is great for short day hikes as well as backpack camping for ambitious hikers.

The simplest way to sample the trail is to pick a short loop section, like the easy but stunning Oberg Mountain Loop near Lutsen, or the Gooseberry loop at Gooseberry Falls State Park. For a longer, more ambitious day hike, a shuttle service runs every day but Wednesdays. Reservations are recommended in order to guarantee seating.






a gif of two little Totoros (a fictional creature that looks like a mix of a cat, bear, squirrel) climbing over rocks in the woods. [ [link removed] ]










three rivers park district

a quaint log sleeper cabin nestled amongst green, yellow, and red trees. a picnic table is under one particularly beautiful red/orange tree. [ [link removed] ]

 

The Three Rivers Park District manages parks in suburban communities of five Twin Cities-area counties, the bulk of them to the north, west and south of Minneapolis. They're great family parks, many with interpretive nature centers, programs and large state-of-the-art playgrounds.

 

A few of the larger ones, all beautiful in the fall, include Carver Park Reserve in Victoria on the western edge of the metro area, with 36 miles of paved and unpaved trails winding around more than 10 lakes; Hyland Lake Park Reserve in Bloomington, with 18 miles of hiking trails; and Elm Creek Park Reserve in Maple Grove, at 4,900 acres the largest park in the system, with more than 50 miles of hiking trails.






*PLAN MORE HIKING TRIPS IN MN* [ [link removed] ]











Author Portrait of James Riemermann [ [link removed] ]



*James Riemermann* is a retired writer and editor. Raised in St. Paul, he's a city boy who feels more at home in the woods. Sitting by a campfire on the shore of a quiet north woods lake is his idea of paradise.











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know before you go

* A *vehicle permit [ [link removed] ] *is required to enter Minnesota state parks. Save time by ordering one online before you arrive at the park.


* For comfort and safety on the trail, be sure everyone has appropriate footwear (tennis shoes, not flip-flops).


* Bring a water bottle for each hiker as well as plenty of sunscreen, bug spray and snacks.


* Pick up a paper map at the park office or load a *GeoPDF map [ [link removed] ]* before you leave (don’t rely on your phone to navigate because cell and Internet service may not be available in the woods).


* The *accessible trails [ [link removed] ]* at Minnesota state parks are stroller friendly as well as wheelchair friendly.


* Some Minnesota state parks have *all-terrain electric wheelchairs [ [link removed] ]* for use on unpaved trails.


* If your dog will be hiking with you, keep it on a leash and clean up after it.


* Don't pick wildflowers or otherwise disturb the landscape. "Take only photos, leave only footprints."





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"from top to bottom: Sawmill Dome on the Superior Hiking Trail in Finland, photo by Alyssa Hei  |  "Maplewood State Park in Pelican Rapids, photo by Erica Wacker  |  Fall Leaves in Mississippi River Bluffs, photo by Dana Hernandez  |  Barn Bluff in Winona, photo by Erica Wacker  |  Hallaway Hill at Maplewood State Park in Pelican Rapids, photo by Micah Kvidt  |  Frontenac State Park in Frontenac, photo by Paul Vincent  |  Twin Lakes on the Superior Hiking Trail in Silver Bay, photo by Alyssa Hei  |  a gif from My Neighbor Totoro  |  Baker Park Reserve in Maple Plain, photo by Chandra Whitfield""

""_
""This article has been edited for length and clarity.""






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