Minneapolis: River Trail to Logging Trail Loop

A convenient city escape along the St. Croix River, this easy 4-mile hike in Wild River State Park skirts healthy wetlands with prime waterfowl viewing.

Author:: BACKPACKERMagazine
Publish date:: Sep 20, 2013

Mapped by Steffan Fay

Trail Facts

Distance: 6.8

Waypoints

RTL001

Location: 45.5188789367676, -92.7353591918945

Hike E from lot and turn L @ 4-way onto Old Logging Trail

RTL002

Location: 45.5197105407715, -92.7351226806641

R @ T; head down toward meadow. Pass Amiks Pond, set in sparse, boggy prairie on L; scan for marsh hawks and bald eagles through breaks in trees

RTL003

Location: 45.5183715820312, -92.7315292358398

L @ T on River Trail. Watch for white-tailed deer at woods? edge; pause at riverbank bench

RTL004

Location: 45.5207405090332, -92.7288436889648

Straight @ 3-way; continue along river

RTL005

Location: 45.5228004455566, -92.7294235229492

Cross road @ boat launch, then cross and follow creek from upper end of Amiks Pond. Ducks, herons, bitterns skim the flats; hike back to river?s edge and continue N

RTL006

Location: 45.5258903503418, -92.7290420532226

Straight @ 3-way past Spring Creek hiking/canoe campsite among oaks

RTL007

Location: 45.5364685058594, -92.7263870239258

Straight @ 3-way onto River Terrace Trail; Old Nevers Dam on R, home to white pine logging-era site (1890-1912); bask on sandbar S of dam (weather permitting)

RTL008

Location: 45.5434303283691, -92.7336578369141

L @ Y; head along hillside below picnic shelters

RTL009