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Great River Bluffs State Park

The scenery atop the bluffs at this park is indeed fit for royalty. King’s and Queen’s Bluff will give you a view of the Mississippi River and its backwaters unrivaled in Minnesota. Bring your binoculars and camera, too. The Mississippi River is a stop for many species of migratory birds like hawks, eagles and many kinds of waterfowl.
Read about a trip to the park
Great River Bluffs State Park is located 13 miles southeast of Winona on the Great River Road Scenic Byway in Minnesota’s Winona County.

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One of the nine scenic overlooks with views of the Mississippi River at Great River Bluffs State Park

One of the nine scenic overlooks with views of the Mississippi River

View of King's Bluff at Great River Bluffs State Park

View of King’s Bluff

Great River Bluffs State Park is located 13 miles southeast of Winona on the Great River Road Scenic Byway in Minnesota’s Winona County

Great River Bluffs State Park is located 13 miles southeast of Winona on the Great River Road Scenic Byway in Minnesota’s Winona County

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Trails
The park’s 6.5-mile hiking trail system meanders out from the central parking area and has nine scenic overlooks, the most popular ones being the King’s and Queen’s Bluff. The terrain is a mix of wooded bluff lands with steep rock outcroppings, but also includes rolling grasslands. Even though it’s bluff country, the trails are fairly easy to hike.

Hiking trail to thre top of a bluff at Great River Bluffs State Park

Hiking trail to the top of a bluff

Hiking trail through the hardwood forest at Great River Bluffs State Park

Hiking trail through the hardwood forest

The higher areas of Great River Bluffs State Park are covered with grasslands

The higher areas of Great River Bluffs State Park are covered with grasslands

Camping
Great River Bluff State Park’s 31 drive-in sites are relatively private and shielded from each other by vegetation. There’s also a cart-in camping area with four sites, but campers need to bring their gear in with carts supplied by the park.
A unique feature at this park is the five bicycle-in sites along Highway 61, the Great River Road. They are not accessible from the main park area, but provide camping for travelers on the Mississippi River Trail Scenic Bikeway (MRT).
Winter

The park’s 9-mile cross-country ski system is considered easy to moderate. Snowshoeing is allowed throughout the park, but not on groomed ski trails. The park also has a sliding hill.
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