Afton State Park

Afton’s 20 miles of hiking trails, some of which are challenging, begin from the parking lot near the interpretive center. To reach the backpack sites or the trails in the main body of park land, you’ll have to drop into the ravine, cross Trout Brook near its mouth, and climb the bluffs on the other side of the stream. Some trails follow the 2-mile-long river shoreline in the park, while others twist through the hills and valleys farther inland. The quietest trails are in Afton’s northern and western extremes. A 5-mile-long bridle trail allows horseback riders to enjoy the park’s hilly terrain. A paved bicycle trail parallels the park road and extends along the river, totaling some 4 miles of pedaling for cyclists.

The 28 wooded open sites in the backpack camping area are on an upland plateau. The secluded primitive sites are spaced along the forested edge of a former pasture and are a favorite of backpackers. A group camp has two sites with room for forty campers each. There’s also a canoe-in campsite near the river. For a less rustic experience try one of four camper cabins or one of the two yurts for an overnight stay.

The St. Croix River Valley is one of the state’s best birding areas. As the flocks fly overhead, you can hear the collective fluttering of their wings, like a wind urging them on their way. In spring, warblers and bluebirds return to the park, filling the woods with song. You’ll also see many hawks during the migrations and might notice red-tailed hawks circling above the fields, hunting for rabbits or rodents. Eagles are often spotted soaring above the bluffs on their way through the park, but they don’t nest here.