Big River Bluffs

Great River Bluffs State Park is located high on the bluffs above the Mississippi River in southeast Minnesota. It is not well known, and access is down a long gravel road past a farm house and across corn fields. The road actually appears to be an extension of the farmer's lane crossing his fields to get to the park entrance. Once within the park, there are 31 primitive camping sites, a picnic area and trails leading to sensational views of the "Great River" from points on the bluffs. Throughout the woods there are private picnic areas. At the entrance a parking fee is collected and maps of the various trails to the bluffs can be obtained. Fall is my favorite time for a visit to see the changing colors of the leaves across the Mississippi valley. At the last visit, the park was overrun with lady bugs crawling through the leaves. I was shaking them out of my clothes for the next few days after the visit.

The drive to the park from Winona along the Mississippi also offers many high point opportunities for viewing the river. These are the highlights from my several visits to the park.

Along the way - These are some of the views from high points on bluffs over the Mississippi along the way to the park. I could not resist following each sign offering a high point vista so the trip to the park took twice as long as needed.

In the Park - These are views of the woods and trails throughout the park. In the late fall, there were very few people in the park so hiking through the woods was very peaceful and quiet. There were times, while deep in the woods and alone, that I thought I should look around for the Blair Witch. The park is well maintained and trails well marked.

Views from the Bluffs - At the end of the trails, there are unique views of the Great River, winding through the Mississippi Valley. Since I exclusively use a digital camera, many of my shots do not do justice to the views. Digital cameras tend to wash out with distant scenes at this current state of the technology. But one makes this trip to sit and absorb the views in person.

For more information click on this link to Great River Bluffs State Park maintained by the DNR.