The Most Beautiful Places to Hike in Minnesota in Fall (2024)

By James Riemermann

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

SUPERIOR HIKING TRAIL

Running more than 300 gorgeous miles fromJay Cooke State Parksouth of Duluth to the Canadian border at Grand Portage, theSuperior Hiking Trailcrosses 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, with trailhead parking lots every few miles along the route.

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 atGooseberry Falls State Park. For a longer, more ambitious day hike, ashuttle serviceruns every day but Wednesdays.Reservations are recommended in order to guarantee seating.

TheSuperior Hiking Trail Associationhas detailed trail maps and a guidebook with mile-by-mile descriptions to help you plan your hike based on length, terrain and scenery.

MAPLEWOOD STATE PARK

Maplewood State Park's 25 miles of trails — 2.2 miles of them self-guided with interpretive signs — 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, and foster a wide variety of habitats near Pelican Rapids. 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.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER BLUFFS

Some of best hiking and fall color in Minnesota can be found at parks on the limestone bluffs towering over the Mississippi River south of Red Wing on Lake Pepin, the widest naturally occurring expanse on the entire length of the Mississippi.

Red Wing itself is home to the stunningBarn 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 is the easier one, and the Quarry Trail is shorter but steeper. 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. All the trails have portions near steep cliffs, and hikers should be cautious.

South of Red Wing, between the tiny, historic towns of Old Frontenac (once a riverside resort town) and Frontenac Station (once a railroad stop), isFrontenac State Park, with 13miles 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.

THREE RIVERS PARK DISTRICT

TheThree Rivers Park Districtmanages parks in suburban communities of five Twin Cities-area counties, the bulk of them to the north, west and south of Minneapolis. The system operates 25 parks and 17 multi-use trails, with extensive opportunities for hiking, camping and pretty much any sort of outdoor recreation. 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, includeCarver Park Reservein 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; andElm Creek Park Reservein Maple Grove, at 4,900 acres the largest park in the system, with more than 50 miles of hiking trails.

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KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

• A vehicle permit 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 before you leave (don’t rely on your phone to navigatebecause cell and Internet service may not be available in the woods).
• The accessible trails at Minnesota state parks are stroller friendly as well as wheelchair friendly.
• Some Minnesota state parks have all-terrainelectric wheelchairs 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."