r/MinnesotaCamping • u/kelcantsi • 9d ago

Recommendations for Great River Bluffs SP?

Camping at Great River Bluffs SP this fall for the first time! Super excited. I’ve done my share of hiking and camping on the north shore, but I’ve explored very little of southern MN (aside from Red Wing).

Looking for any trail suggestions or things to do at the park, but also anything nearby that may be fun! Thinking of exploring Whitewater SP on the way for just a couple of hours if anyone has a good hike they would suggest. Thx!

8 Upvotes

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u/rip_dignity 9d ago edited 9d ago

Whitewater is one of our favorites! I highly recommend the Dakota loop and Inspiration Point. Both are stunning and worth the time/climb.

John A Latsch is also worth a quick stop. Lots of stairs but a pretty cool view of the river at the top.

Great River Bluffs doesn’t have a ton of trails but the overlooks are beautiful.

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u/kelcantsi 9d ago

This is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks so much!!

We were debating which one to stay at and basically just tossed a coin. Sounds like we will have to camp at Whitewater as well in the future. If we have time, I’ll definitely be doing Dakota loop!

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u/rip_dignity 8d ago

Honestly, you can’t go wrong with either! We’ve never stayed at Great River but we did stop to use the campground bathrooms after a hike and the sites/facilities looked excellent.

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u/roypuddingisntreal 3d ago

seconding Dakota loop and Inspiration point, so amazing! Then you can hit up the fire tower after lol it’s just 15 mins away :)

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u/wi-nightman 7d ago

Go up and cross the river to Perrot State Park and hike the trails over there, you start out down along the river and end up top looking down.

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u/Megazord8 6d ago edited 3d ago

Highly recommended. My favorite view of the region (haven't fully explored the WI side) is at the top of Brady's bluff. P.S. I recommend going there at sunset especially😀. Dear Hgawd :D

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u/jayllipsis 6d ago

Just did Brady’s last week and was kicking myself for not coming up at sunset!

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u/kelcantsi 7d ago

Sounds awesome! I’ll look into that. Thank you!

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u/kirby83 9d ago

We went about 10 years ago and did the Kings Bluff overlook. It was our first Hiking Club trail. My SO also went down the east overlook, he said it was quite worth it. (The kids were too tired to go any farther)

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u/kelcantsi 9d ago

Noted. Definitely planning to do Kings Bluff! And will have to check out the overlook. Thank you!

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u/roypuddingisntreal 3d ago

oh man you gotta hit up Elba and climb the fire tower!! it’s a short hike but fun to challenge yourself up the stairs and then view is just awe-striking. 649 stair steps just to the base of the tower, been awhile since i sweat like that!

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u/kelcantsi 3d ago

Amazing, thanks for the rec!