Crookston and the surrounding area have lots of trails and recreational areas just waiting for you to explore. Our local nature trails are great places for hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing, all while enjoying Minnesota’s beautiful natural scenery. Here are our picks for the most scenic trails in and around Crookston.
City of Crookston Trails
Image via Flickr by Tony Webster via CC BY 2.0
Crookston has lots of nature trails just waiting for you to enjoy. Take the whole family out for a hike on any of these Crookston favorites:
- Kreutzberg Trail: This trail has a natural surface and is perfect for hiking in the summer months and cross-country skiing in the winter months.
- Castle Park Trail: Take a stroll on this natural surface trail. Castle Park Trail is also the home of Crookston’s popular Story Walks for kids. Story Walks allow kids and their families to walk through the pages of a book as they follow a trail.
- Aunt Polly Trail: The Aunt Polly trail is a natural surface trail used for hiking and cross-country skiing.
- Fisher Trail: This short trail offers a quick walk and some fresh air.
- Veterans Military Memorial Loop: This paved trail is a great place to enjoy a walk or ride your bike. The trailhead is at the intersection of US Highway 2 and Fairfax Avenue. This looping trail features life-size monuments and lots of beautiful natural scenery. Flags line this walkway on special occasions and holidays. A picnic shelter is also available.
Red River Valley Natural History Area
Less than a mile from Crookston, the Red River Valley Natural History Area covers 85 acres of ancient Lake Agassiz. Although it is primarily used as a living laboratory by the University of Minnesota, the public is always welcome to hike on the natural surface trails. The Red River Valley trails wind through several habitats, including cottonwood forest, willow swamp, cattail marsh, aspen forest, and prairie. The Red River Valley trails are also a great place to go birdwatching.
Tympanuchus Wildlife Management Area
The Tympanuchus Wildlife Management Area is only 10 miles southeast of Crookston, just off of highway 32. Tympanuchus covers 840 acres of beautiful natural grasslands, including flowers like the purple coneflower and blazing star. Hiking trails run along the beach ridges of ancient glacial Lake Agassiz. In addition to hiking, many visit Tympanuchus to look for birds, including prairie chickens. A parking lot is available for easy parking and access to the area.
Agassiz Recreational Trail
The Agassiz Recreational Trail is best known for its scenic views of the Wild Rice and Sand Hill Rivers. This 52-mile trail runs along abandoned railroad tracks and alternates between densely wooded areas and wide-open farmland. Hikers often see lots of native wildlife along the Agassiz trail. The trail is a natural surface, including grass, dirt, and gravel. In addition to hiking, Agassiz Recreational Trail is a great place to ride your bike, horse, off-road vehicle, or snowmobile. Restrooms and picnic shelters are available at regular intervals along the trail. A large campground is at the trail’s midpoint.
In addition to using the trail for recreation, many use the Agassiz Trail to get to other towns from Crookston. The Agassiz Recreational Trail connects Crookston to Ulen, Twin Valley, Fertile, and Gary. Parking and trail access is available in Ulen off Highway 32 and at the intersection of Highway 102 and 9.
Belgium Wildlife Management Area
Belgium Wildlife Management Area has several ridge trails on its southern end. Belgium offers the opportunity to explore 190 acres of grasslands, marshes, and forests. Many migratory birds, waterfowl, deer, and other woodland animals make their home in Belgium. If you visit at the right time, you can also pick native berries, such as grapes, choke-cherries, and thorn apples.
Be sure to bring knee or hip boots if you plan on exploring the marshes in Belgium. You can easily access the Belgium Wildlife Management Area via township roads.
Greenway of Greater Grand Forks
The Greenway of Greater Grand Forks offers over 21 miles of paved trails, including a 10-mile loop that provides easy access to other nature trails in Grand Forks and East Grand Forks. Trail endpoints are in Grand Forks’ Riverside Park and East Grand Forks’ Folsom Park. The Greenway trails are a great place to bike, inline skate, walk, and cross-country ski. Bicyclists can also use the Greenway trail to access the 100-mile paved Rural Bicycle Loop in Grand Forks.
Kiosks along the Greenway provide information on the history of the area, geologic features, and wildlife. In addition to the trails, Greenway has playgrounds, picnic areas, fishing spots, campgrounds, and golf courses. The Greenway is easy to jump on, with more than 10 access points available. There are also 11 restrooms and 14 parking areas along the trails. All trails in the Greenway are wheelchair accessible.
Sand Hill Recreation Area
The Sand Hill Recreation Area is just down the road in Fertile. Sand Hill offers over 12 miles of trails used for hiking in the summer and cross-country skiing in the winter. Several horse riding trails also accommodate snowmobiles in the winter. Sand Hill also has 3 miles of specially designated snowshoe trails. Visitors to Sand Hill can enjoy the beautiful panoramic views from Scout Tower, the ever-changing dunes, brightly colored wildflowers, native birds, and stunning river views.
Sand Hill Recreation Area has several easily accessible restrooms and a nature center. Snowshoe rentals are available at the nature center in the winter months.
Bottineau Trail
Named after Pierre Bottineau, a Minnesota frontiersman, this 3-mile trail runs through the town of Red Lake Falls on former train tracks. Bottineau’s paved surface is perfect for hiking, biking, snowmobiling, hiking, and cross-country skiing. The southern portion of the trail passes through residential and industrial properties. The northern end of Bottineau runs through a densely forested area. The Bottineau trail includes two old railroad bridges that cross over the Red Lake and Clearwater Rivers. Restrooms, picnic tables, and camping sites are available. Trail access is via Riverside Park.
There you have our top pics for scenic trails near Crookston. If you have a favorite nature trail or wildlife area we missed, drop us a line and let us know. We will be sure to add it to our list.
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