Hiking Club Trail

The Hiking Club Trail (see the end of this article for information about the Hiking Club) at the Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area is a 3.3-mile loop trail. Part of the hike is through the river bottoms of the Minnesota River. Dog are allowed on the trail when on a leash. The trail can be flooded or muddy especially in the springtime. This trail is pretty flat so it is suitable for most abilities. Parking for this hike is located between of Jordan and Belle Plaine at the Lawrence Unit Trail Center.

The trailhead for this trail is to the left of the Trail Center building; look for the blue Hiking Club sign. After a short jaunt through woods, the trail goes by Beason Lake which would probably better be described as a pond. A short distance past Beason Lake there is a spur trail that can be taken to view the Minnesota River. The trail follows a creek and larger backwater pond. Look for waterfowl in the pond.

Shortly before the one-mile mark the trail leaves the pond area begins its loop; stay to the left at the fork. The hiker will soon enter a prairie habitat. The loop is about a mile and a half long and crosses a road into an upland hardwood forest. After completing the loop head back to the tailhead the way you came.

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 2021). More information about the program can be found here.