Minnesota State Parks Revisited: Great River Bluffs State Park

 

Great River Bluffs State Park

Date Hiked: October 13th, 2025

Trail Hiked: Great River Bluffs Trail, King's Bluff Loop, Sugar Loaf to Garvin Heights Trail

Distance Hiked: 9.9 miles

Elevation Gain: 1368 ft.

Duration: 4:03:20

The last time I visited this park, the allegedly glorious views from the eponymous bluffs were nothing more than a Pyramidhead haven of the void, which to be fair was plenty appropriate for how I was doing at that time in my life. Imagine my relative delight when I headed back to the Winona area on the revisiting quest and the visibility was quite the opposite! 

One really can't go wrong on the crescent of this state. While there are plenty of gems throughout the rest of the state, some of which I've ranked pretty high, the North Shore and the bluffs along the river road are easily the most consistently good. So much so that in addition to hiking the longest trail in this state park (which, among long trails in Minnesota State Parks, isn't that long), I also decided to stop on down in Winona proper to climb on up to Sugar Loaf, head over toward Garvin Heights, and make a blufftastic day out of it. 

The fall of 2025 was extremely kind toward fools like me, even though I'm someone who will hike in anything above -30. The autumn leaves are lovely, though being from the northeast it's hard to compare to New England, which is likely why the Gilmore Girls binge comes around that time with the season. But, the weather stayed pretty consistently mild until the middle of December for the most part, and as the bugs, ticks, and bears started going away along with the throngs of tourists, I was lucky enough to see state parks like this one without a scarf over my face, thus causing my breath to freeze on my sunglasses. What more could one ask for?

I noted before, but this park is a bit of a pain to get to, including trekking over some roads that would make even the fine citizens of Flint give some side-eye. For what it is, it's beautiful and a nice way to spend a clear autumn afternoon, but given how much wondrous nature and Appalachian-esque terrain is available, it leaves a little to be desired. Maybe I was spoiled by growing up in the aforementioned mountains or spending time on the Superior Hiking Trail close to this time, but I felt like it could be so much more than it is. Great River Bluffs, to me, inspires thoughts of steep climbs and difficulty-pushing hikes, but most of the trails there are already on top of the bluffs. Which is fine, I'm not knocking the access to glorious aerial views, but if I'm gonna travel several hours to hike on some bluffs, I want some sick elevation gain out of it. Thus, I also hiked another trail that starts from the bottom and allows for some leaftastic pushes up the sides of these ridges. 

Great River Bluffs State Park is beautiful and remote, and I'm in no way knocking going to visit or spending time exploring its trails. But, it could be even better. 

Minnesota Hiking Club #30 - Great River Bluffs State Park

 

Minnesota Hiking Club

#30 - Great River Bluffs State Park

Date Hiked: March 4th, 2025

Other Hikes That Day: None

Wanderloon Ranking System Score: 3.33

For once, it wasn't the cold or snow that led me to have a comparatively unique experience of a Hiking Club trail. 

There was only one park left in the entire southeast to do, mostly because of its W-coding and the others in proximity not being such. But I was excited to give this one the time and focus it deserved, because the river bluffs remind me so much of the Appalachian mountains where I grew up. I understand they are different geological landscapes and the latter is tremendously ancient, but they give me similar vibes. In a state that can be socially isolating to those who aren't from here, feeling some vague connection to even a concept of "home" is endearing. 

Sure wish I could've seen it though!

The Great River Bluffs State Park Hiking Club trail is shaped like a fancy signature with a heart in the middle. Where most are loops, this is a down-and-back with a small heart loop, and that is quite unique. Rather than climbing the bluffs, like many trails in the surrounding Winona area, this one starts and finishes atop them, leaving the far point for the views of the river valley to inspire the trip back.

Sure wish I could've seen it though!

Unpleasant weather was imminent, and I wanted to get something in before the skies unleashed. While I didn't get any rain, US-52 on the trip home was a monsoon of meteorological punishment for daring to have hope that spring was approaching. Being already on the bluffs was merciful, because the trek was so muddy that I'd be a Moon that descended rapidly to hear the song of a flute. This way I only slid around the foggy barrow-downs and hoped I didn't have to fight a wight. 

When the trail reaches the bluffs overlook, the trees clear, and it feels like summiting a great peak with a flat top, minus the whole climbing part. In this case, I moved from the densely foggy woods to the Misty Mountain Hop, as instead of fog in a bunch of trees, there was open space with nothing but fog filling it in! Diversity of landscapes for the win!

This park is really cool, and while I wish in a general sense that we could've gotten some Manitou-esque elevation change, the slip factor would've made that a muddy nightmare that no laundry machine could wash away. The views, according to the photos on AllTrails, are as spectacular as advertised. Fortunately for me, the fog and inclement weather at least led to a quiet stroll of solitude through a place I'm sure is hopping all throughout the summer, as well it should be! 

My avoidance of people is not their fault... unless they have bluetooth speakers with no headphones. Then, all bets are off and my death stare is genuine. This Hiking Club trail lives up to its reputation and anyone searching for scenic overlooks will enjoy it. 

Sure wish I could've seen it though!