Minneapolis, MN: Afton State Park

Habitats merge and, even on busy summer days, hikers find solitude on over 20 miles of hiking trails in Afton State Park. This 3.5-mile day or overnight trip begins at the visitor center and heads north down 100-steps toward the St. Croix River. The trail turns left after passing a popular swimming beach and goes under an old railroad bridge to begin a 2.3-mile loop. Winding under hardwoods, through remnant farmlands and uphill to a 150-year-old pine plantation, the trail intersects a left-hand spur trail at mile 1.4. Turn left for an overnight at the 24-site hike-in campground, or turn right to complete the loop in one day.

As the trail heads north it passes the old Oliver Charlie farmstead and traverses a recent oak woodland restoration area before a few short switchbacks to the river. From there it’s 1.1 miles on the railroad-grade trail or, if the water level is low, along the river’s rocky beach to the picnic area. Look for eagles and ducks near the water’s edge and pileated woodpeckers and kingbirds along the forested cliffs. From the swimming beach and picnic area it’s just 0.5 familiar miles—100 steps, remember?—uphill to the visitors center.

-Mapped by Afton State Park

Trail Facts

• Distance: 5.7
• Miles from city center: 34

Waypoints

AFT001

Location: 44.8534502, -92.7746943

The Afton State Park Visitor Center has a historical interpretive exhibit and is heated in the winter, offering a place to toast chilled fingers and recoup after a ski adventure.

AFT002

Location: 44.8556749, -92.7746218

The downhill trail to the riverside beach and picnic area begins at the north end of the visitor’s center parking lot.

AFT003

Location: 44.8575648, -92.7743644

Within 300 yards of the trailhead, the platform at this scenic overlook offers upstream views of the St. Croix River and gives a preview of the steep, 170-foot descent ahead. You’ll descend 100 wooden stairs and cross a trellised railroad bridge before reaching the picnic area.

AFT004

Location: 44.8633978, -92.7731681

Follow signed trails to the beach and picnic area, canoe
campsite or the boater beach, popular summertime destinations for
families. This mapped route turns right @ Y-junction and loops under a railroad bridge to the Terrace-Prairie Trail, heading away from the river.

AFT005

Location: 44.8671543, -92.7721596

A short climb leads to this second trailside overlook offering St. Croix River views. Just past the overlook, the trail turns left and skirts a prairie restoration area. This 5-acre clearing is one of several prairie areas where park personnel are actively working to restore native habitat.

AFT006

Location: 44.8689488, -92.7762794

The steep, 270-foot climb from the valley flattens as the trail passes an old timber plantation. The open understory beneath organized rows of 150-year old white pine is a contrast the park’s more common hardwood and maple forests.

AFT007

Location: 44.8690856, -92.7799702

The park has 24 hike-in-only campsites that are accessible via the left-hand trail at this junction (1.4 miles from the trailhead). Turn right to follow this mapped route’s loop around the park’s north side.

AFT008

Location: 44.8710284, -92.7788731

The trail passes a wooden shelter (perfect for escaping the elements on hot, summer days, or windy, winter ones) and a farmstead abandoned in 1969. An interpretive exhibit is planned for this location, but the only visible farmstead remnants are the stone pillars from an old gate.

AFT009

Location: 44.8718115, -92.7777654

Afton State Park is working to restore this open area. Oak
planting in the fall of 2008 will hopefully lead to healthy woodland habitat for 15 targeted bird species (including cerulean and hooded warblers) by 2028.

AFT010

Location: 44.8717773, -92.7737796

A 5-minute detour on this left-hand spur leads to an overlook offering downstream views of the river and a several houses in neighboring Wisconsin.

AFT011

Location: 44.8715568, -92.7705395

The hardwood canopy merges with another organized stand of plantation-era white pine, remnants from the area’s logging history. The trail gets steeper from this point as it switchbacks into a narrow valley before reaching the river.

AFT012

Location: 44.8705607, -92.7694023

Turn right onto the gravel riverside segment of the trail which follows an old railroad bed (this trail is also open to cyclists). When river levels are low in late summer, descend a ballast-rock slope for a rocky, bicycle-free beach walk.

AFT013

Location: 44.8714123, -92.7683938

Houseboats and large power boats pull up to the sand at the north boating beach, just a short walk north from this route.

AFT014

Location: 44.8635955, -92.7733183

The riverside trail crosses an old railroad bridge and completes this route’s loop. Stop for a swim or a picnic before retracing your steps uphill to the trailhead and visitor’s center.

Visitor’s Center

Location: 44.853435, -92.7746272

©Afton State Park

Trailhead

Location: 44.8556559, -92.774713

The trailhead at the north end of the parking area. ©Afton State Park

Overlook

Location: 44.857542, -92.7742839

The trail’s first overlook offers upstream views of the St. Croix River and a look at the beach. ©Afton State Park

Shelter

Location: 44.8708991, -92.7791333

The wooden shelter provides respite for winter skiers looking to escape the elements for a few minutes. It’s also a shady spot to stop in the summer. ©Afton State Park

Restoration

Location: 44.871918, -92.7783501

A controlled late-summer burn left this restoration area blackened, but by 2028, this old farming area will be a bird-filled oak woodland. ©Afton State Park

Riverside Path

Location: 44.8682492, -92.770915

The riverside segment of the trail follows an old railroad along a flat, wide path (also a great trail to ride a bicycle). ©Afton State Park

Beach

Location: 44.8640289, -92.7725351

When water levels are low on the St. Croix, the swimming beach is a large, welcoming expanse of sand. ©Afton State Park