Hiking Club Trail at Big Stone Lake State Park

The Hiking Club Trail (see the end of this description for information about the Hiking Club) at Big Stone Lake State Park is a 2.2-mile lollipop loop; the loop portion of the hike is quite short. This trail takes hikers past the Big Stone Lake through a deciduous forest that includes a native oak savanna. Dogs are allowed on this trail when on a leash. Parking for this hike at the boat landing in the Bonanza Area of the Park. There are two sections at Big Stone Lake State Park; The Bonanza Area is the northern section. There is a fee to enter the park; a day use or annual permit can be purchased at the Park Office in the Meadowbrook Area or at a self-serve kiosk.

To find the trailhead look for the blue Hiking Club sign north of the boat landing parking area. The blue Hiking Club signs mark this easy-to-follow trail. Big Stone Lake can be seen during most of this hike. The trail is mowed grass and packed dirt with some gentle rolling hills. At about the half mile mark, there are a couple of picnic tables by the lake. At just under a mile, the trail loop begins; go to the left here. There is a small waterfall near the end of the loop. When the loop is nearly complete, there is a trail to the Bonanza Education Center that may be confused for the Hiking Club Trail. The Hiking Club Trail is closer to Big Stone Lake. Once the loop is completed, retrace your steps back to the boat landing parking lot.

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.