Do you love hiking in the Midwest? Below is why you need to add Afton State Park in Hastings, MN to your list.
Growing up, we used to go to a lot of state parks. Not only was it an affordable getaway for my family but we also loved being in the great outdoors. According to the Minnesota Department of Resources (MN DNR) Website, there are 66 state parks, 9 recreational areas, and 9 waysides.
Side note: What is a wayside? A wayside is a piece of land normally around a natural resource or historical site that is too small to be considered a full state park. It is however maintained by the MN DNR and usually has a short walking trail and parking but some may also include picnic areas and restrooms.
Growing up in Northern Minnesota, the state parks we visited were mostly in the northern half of the state so when I moved to the Minneapolis area, I knew I wanted to explore more of the state parks in the southern half of the state.
We were looking for something to do one weekend so I suggested we check out Afton State Park. It was a beautiful day for being outside and not far from our house so we decided to check it out.
Keep reading for more information about your Afton State Park adventure.
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Where is Afton State Park?
Afton State Park is located in Hastings Minnesota. Only about a 40-minute drive southeast of downtown Minneapolis, this is an easy state park for many people to get to.
The eastern border of Afton State Park is the Saint Croix River which runs between Minnesota and Wisconsin. And is
What is there to see and do?
Afton State Park is unique in many ways because it offers a wide variety of scenery and landscapes. There are rocky cliffs, forests, the St Croix River, and flower-filled plains. A long swimming beach is popular in the summer. And with 20 miles of hiking trails, there are options available for most ability levels.
We went for the day so only took part in the hiking. All though I did take my shoes and socks off to stick my toes in the river to cool off.
We opted for a beautiful trail that went along the river, up the rocky cliff, into the woods, and then came back out into the fields. It was a little rough in some parts but mostly it was a nice, moderately strenuous in some parts, walk that gave us a taste of what the park had to offer.
They offer fishing equipment rentals in the summer if that is your preference. Many picnic areas are available around the park and some even have volleyball nets for the sports enthusiasts.
Is there camping available?
YES!!! Afton State Park not only has 28 rustic hike-in camping sites, but it also offers a canoe-in campsite and two group campsites. Don’t have a tent? No problem!! Afton also offers four cabins with electricity and heat. And they have two yurts and a wall tent you can rent as well. Not sure what a wall tent is? Check out this link for more info. Tipis and wall tents | Minnesota DNR (state.mn.us)
Reservations are required so plan ahead to make sure there is availability on the dates you plan to camp.
Our hiking trail took us past the yurts, I thought it looked like an awesome adventure and hoped to convince someone to go with me sometime.
Side note: There are flush toilets in the visitor center and park office but they are only available during normal operating hours. The rest of the park…vault toilets. (aka outhouses)
Is there a fee to get into Afton State Park?
Since Afton State Park is part of the Minnesota State Parks and Recreation Areas you can buy an annual pass that allows you into any of the state parks and recreation areas. At the time of this writing, the annual pass is $35 but you will want to check the Minnesota State Parks and Recreation Areas Parking Pass website before you go.
You can also buy day passes for less than $10.
I highly recommend buying your parking permit online before you leave home since the offices are not open 24/7.
Is Afton State Park open year-round?
Yes, Afton State Park is open year-round. This includes the trail system and the camping facilities. During the winter months, some trails are designated for only snowshoeing, some are groomed for cross-country skiing and others are cleared for walking trails.
Please be respectful and use the trails designated for your desired activity. Show shoes are available for rent at the park office during their normal operating hours. Check out their website for times and locations.
When there is no snow on the ground, the tails are open for hiking and trail running. There is also a paved trail for biking.
Why you should go to Afton State Park.
Afton State Park is a great place if you want to have a family picnic, cool off in the river, or enjoy a hike with amazing views close to Minneapolis/St. Paul. The hiking, in my opinion, is good for many different fitness levels. I’m not a super fit person but I found the trail challenging but doable.
Bring water bottles and a snack. A common question is are there bears in Afton State Park? The answer is yes but don’t let that scare you away from going. There are bear sightings in some residential areas of the suburbs too. You are in Minnesota, there could be bears almost anywhere there are lots of trees.
If camping is your thing, check out the yurts, they are a unique camping experience that is not available everywhere.
Happy travels and remember the world is full of adventures all around you.
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