Hiking Club Trail

The Hiking Club Trail (see the end of this article for information about the Hiking Club) at Minneopa State Park is a 2.7-mile-long lollipop loop; the loop portion of the hike is quite short. This trail uses a portion of the Minnesota River Bluff Trail and much of the trail is near the park’s bison enclosure. The trail is quite flat and passes through a deciduous forest as well as prairie habitat. Dogs are allowed on this trail but must be on a leash six feet long or shorter. Parking for this hike is located near the entrance to the bison enclosure on the north side of Minnesota Highway 68. This is not by the popular waterfall section of Minneopa State Park. There is a fee to enter the park; a day use or annual permit can be purchased at the Park Office or at a self-serve kiosk near the entrance to the bison enclosure.

The trailhead for this hike is located near the northeast corner of the parking area. Look at the blue Hiking Club signs. After 0.3 miles the trail crosses a gravel road that leads to the campground. From here the trail runs near the fencing for the bison enclosure for 0.7 miles. If one is lucky the bison herd may be grazing in this area of the enclosure. Next the trail begins its loop, for about a third of a mile the trail moves away from the fencing. The second portion of the loop is by the fencing. After the loop is complete, it is a mile long hike back to the parking area.

The Minnesota State Park’s Hiking Club program encourages hikers to hike a designated Hiking Club Trail at most state parks. A Hiking Club password is found on all of these hikes. You can earn patches, free camping, and even a plaque (if you hike all of the Hiking Club trails) for participating in the club. A Hiking Club kit can be purchased at most state parks for $14.95 (as of 2022). More information about the program can be found here.

A map of the park and its hiking trails can be found here.