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Run through restored prairie land to a view of the Mississippi River.


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Map Key

1.6

Miles

2.7

KM

96%

Runnable

1,070' 326 m

High

951' 290 m

Low

150' 46 m

Up

171' 52 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

39%

Max Grade (21°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Views · Wildflowers

Frontenac State Park is open daily year round from 8AM to 10PM. There is a vehicle fee ($7/day or $35/year) to enter the park, payable online or at the park office.

Need to Know

This trail is in the westernmost section of Frontenac State Park and has a trailhead separate from any trail in the main (easternmost) section of the park. Its trailhead only has parking for 2-3 vehicles and parking along unpaved Hill Road is not recommended. Although it is an official park trail, it does not appear on the park's summer map or on its website.

Description

The trailhead is 1.2 miles west of Highway 61/63 along unpaved Hill Road and is marked by a gate and a small sign. Parking here is limited.

The trail starts as an old gravel road that climbs gently under a forest canopy before emerging into open prairie land and transitioning to a wide, mowed turf trail. It then rolls gently to the western end of the bluff where a very short use trail takes you to a viewpoint overlooking Grotes Pond and Lake Pepin in the Mississippi River. Be careful here - there are no guardrails and you are standing at the edge of a 100-foot sheer limestone cliff.

This trail is also a popular snowshoeing destination during the winter months.

Flora & Fauna

Numerous species of wildflower can be found on the bluff and these attract various species of butterfly.

Contacts

Shared By:

BK Hope

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 1 vote

#22854

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Trail Rankings

#242

in Minnesota

#22,854

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Photos

Ascending the old gravel road to the top of the bluff.
Jul 1, 2024 near Red Wing, MN
The wide trail along the top of the bluff.
Jul 1, 2024 near Red Wing, MN
View of Grotes Pond (L) and Lake Pepin (R) from the western edge of the bluff.
Jul 1, 2024 near Red Wing, MN
A Great Sprangled Fritilary butterfly feeds on a Butterfly Weed.
Jul 1, 2024 near Red Wing, MN
Up the old gravel road toward the top of the bluff.
Jul 1, 2024 near Red Wing, MN
Coming to the end of the main trail.
Jul 1, 2024 near Red Wing, MN

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