Afton has the river, trees, and prairies all of which are beautiful in different ways as the seasons change. The campground is great - quiet with well-spaced, mostly shady sites and convenient firewood and solar water pump. The vault toilets and porta potties were well-stocked. Theres enough shoreline for easy social distancing. Ive come 4 times and still havent hit most of the hiking trails.

Great get away not too far from Twin Cities. We hiked the back trails on a Tuesday and didnt see anyone until we were closer to the river. Those trails were pretty busy but could social distance. The park visitor center is closed but restrooms were open. Bring your own toilet paper. Some trims have running water or mud crossing them due to how wet its been. Close to Hastings.

First impression is this is a great park. Late October hike was great. Nice hills to hike with a clean stream and view of the river.

This park has cabins and yurts for people to stay in. It is along the St. Croix River and has a pretty view. The trails are nice and long and you can go there multiple days and have plenty to see and explore. Check out Selma’s, nearby in the town of Afton. They have geocaching, if you like to do that.

Very scenic by the St. Croix River with miles of hiking trails. Some are aggressive going up steep hills while others are level. Exercise for all fitness levels.

This is a wonderful park to go hiking at. It has picnic areas, hiking you can horseback ride, fish and they also have volleyball nets and horseshoes. There is at a visitor center and plenty of bathrooms.

A must place tobHike along the Scienic St.Croix River! !

Beautiful, well-maintained park! Lots of hiking opportunities along the river, bluffs, and wildflowers. Even found a few agates on the beach! Definately not the most well-known state park but a great getaway without having to go too far from the cities.

Afton State Park was an awesome place for camping. They have a nice little set up and the camp spots are pretty private. The water pump was broken so we were happy they put up plenty of signage and put it on their website so we knew to pack water ahead of time. We hiked a little more than 14 miles and theres plenty to see. Tons of flowers, animals, water and open prairie. Would recommend this place for people of all ages. Just a heads up that camp grounds are a mile in at least and there is plenty of uphill on the way there.

Beautiful state park. A good amount of trails gives options to the type of hike you’re looking for. Flatter prairie trails are plenty mixed with hilly trails through the forest. Many views of the Saint Croix River can be found throughout the park. Add in Wildlife, wild flowers, campsites, and a beach make this park overall great.

This is a nice state park near our home. It has lot of nice camping spots, hiking trails, the beach! You can leave the main hiking areas and the river side trail to hike up to the prairies and it would feel so peaceful. I saw few people while i was there, looked like i was the only one walking around in that area.Also you can get maps and park guides and entrance. This park has clean bathrooms and some really great view areas. There are some challenging trails once you go up and further from the prairie. I enjoyed hiking them! You will come across many wild flowers and plants. Along the river there are lots of picnic tables as well. All of the trails are really well marked and its easy to follow their system if you know how to read a trail map and where you want to go.I have seen so many deers while hiking around here. Also make sure to pay attention to signs and directions at trail intersections or you will get lost easily!

Beautiful, was not a fan of the stairs to get down to the beach and back up in 90 degree weather BUT its very pretty down that way!

This Park is absolutely gorgeous with plenty of area to hike, bike and be one with nature. Driving back I found this little cabin camping area, and biking some of the trails alongside the river was breathtaking. Alot of the area was flooded when I got there because of heavy rain. Moreover, the biking trails ventured more towards the golf area so be mindful of which trail you are on. Overall, this place is great and highly recommend.

This is our go to hiking spot in the Summer. Has some decent hills if youre looking for a challenge. Everything is marked really well too.

Spent a weekend camping in one of the hike in sites there. Otherwise than the sites being a little to close together, loved it. Great trails for hiking. Had our dogs with and they had a blast playing in the river as well. Definitely will be going back for more hiking and camping.

A favorite park for us! GreT place to spend the day watching Eagles, fishing, and learning about nature. For sure would recommend!

I have been looking for a place to go running on trails in the local area. Today I went to Afton State Park and it was fabulous. Its a great place to run off of pavement. I will say that it was busier than I expected and by the time I left there were few to no parking spots.

We loved camping at Afton. We stayed overnight in the White Pine cabin, and the experience went super smoothly. We showed up around 7 pm, so the center was already closed. The key to the cabin was left in the door for us. There was firewood available in the cabin for $6 a bundle, and a picnic table and a fire pit out front.

Beautiful park with lots space to socially distance and still enjoy the park. The secret beach is our new favorite place who with the family.

Beautiful park with plenty of parking. It was very clean and well cared for. We enjoyed the beautiful wild flowers and little toads everywhere. Nice picnic area overlooking the St. Croix.

Afton State Park is a very nice park located by the Ste Croix River, featuring great hikes, water activities, and much more. It is very popular, and for those weary of large crowds, come before 11am, as the parkings get full quickly.

This was one of the most beautiful parks weve visited. Tons of nice trails to explore with amazing views. There is a lot of wild life, flowers and different types of trees throughout.Tip: if you are backpacking to your campsite no need to haul a ton of water up that steep trail. There is a fresh water pump up by the campsites to refill your camel packs and water bottle. Theres also 2 vault toilets and firewood up there for campers with an honor system box. Be prepared to cut wood to firepit size however. The park provides a saw horse and saws. Long pieces of wood are thin and easy to saw through.Also, there are raccoons at night so make sure you put all your food away.

Easy escape from the hustle of the Cities. Enjoy endless trails and beauty of MN landscape.

Beautiful trails, so many different places to go. Pretty steep so be warned!

Really nice nature trails right in the twin Cities!

Well used and maintained trails with just enough solitude for this close to the city.

Very nice park to go hiking, walking, or jogging. If you need some alone time this is a nice state park. One day pass is $7. There are some beautiful areas in this park. Remember you can always jump in the river after a good hike.

Went camping early March with the dog. First site we had booked was flooded out and awful so we called the office and asked if anything else was available. The second campsite was also flooded but much better. The saws they provide are rusty and old, prepare to bring your own saw like we did.

Great state park along the St Croix River! This is the place to take your family to see the autumnal leaves. Beautiful trails of various types: Prairie, wooded, bluffs, with. Only $7/per car to visit for the day. You could spend the entire day here. Closer to other attractions and cities.

Possibly my favorite near-to-the-metro State Park. Gorgeous short trails with both overlooks and river access. The swimming area was magically beautiful. We saw many Bald Eagles.

Although it can get a bit crowded on weekends, this is a great park for a weekday picnic or hike. Well maintained, lots of well spaced picnic tables, lots of trails, both Riverside and in the prairie. With social distancing requirements in place, this is a big enough park to feel safe and find some solitude.

Temperatures are perfect in May for walking or biking. Picnic tables and views of the St Croix River. Camper cabins and even a couple of Yurts available.

Breathe taking raw beautiful of God’s creation in nature! Hike, bike, walk and breath in the time away from stress.

Very beautiful park but also busy! Try to go on a weekday or earlier in the day to avoid large crowds! Very friendly staff!

We went today for a short time. But the state park is absolutely beautiful!! Ample parking lots, beautiful views of St. Croix river and convenient beach access areas. The beach access areas also have lots of benches for anyone to sit, relax, and watch the beauty of the river and the many boats passing by. Couldnt see the camping grounds ad they were all closed due to the current COVID-19 situation. The visitors center and restrooms are closed. They have a few mobile toilets before reaching the visitor center. We went on a Sunday afternoon and the place was not too populated. This is a good place to spend your time outdoors with kids while practicing social distancing.

A great park to go a hike with varied terrain from flat to hilly. When exploring this hikers paradise be sure to check out the views of the river valley and different wildlife around you!

This is a really cool place to go to. there’s a pretty big lake w/ a sock that is unfortunately usually covered up by the water cause of the tide. but overall, it’s a really nice and pleasant place to be :)

We went today for a picnic and its was so beautiful! Very clean park and the view of the river was very nice. We loved watching the speed boats go by and all the cute dogs walk by. After our picnic we went on the hiking trails and it was stunning. We took off our shoes to go in the river but the water was ice cold. Cant wait yo to back in the summer time

Unfortunately not many paths or trails on which you are allowed to ride a bike, but there is one for biking (lenght of about 3 miles in one direction, then you go back, there is no loop). It us worth exploring, though; you go first through prairie, then pass the visitor Centre and then go along the shore of St. Croix River, by the beach. The bike trail is paved or gravel and you share it with hikers.

Best park Ive been to nearby the twin cities (North Shore is way, way better)

One of my favorite SPs in Minnesota. Its simply gorgeous. The trails are well kept, the hike-to camping sites are well spaced and afford plenty of privacy. One can enjoy several ecosystems in the same afternoon: prairie, hardwood forest, pine forest, riverside, parking lot, and grasslands. Visitor center is closed due to COVID-19 nut the restrooms are abailable.

What a great chunk of land! Great views from the hill tops to the rivers edge. A very diverse park with grass lands, heavy wooded areas, to the rivers edge. Very clean trail systems and camping on the hill is great! Except for the cutting of the wood and walking it to camp. Maybe a wheel barrow could be kept there?

A fun place for a fall hike! We brought our toddler, infant, and dog. Many of the trails are paved and all are well-marked. You can make a hike of any distance by choosing your own route to explore.

Came with 2 kids and 3 adults to do some light hiking/walking. March is an awkward month for this since the trails are melty, snow packed, and can be slippery. Parts of the trails were blocked off with caution tape. I would like to go back either during mid-winter for snow shoeing or for hiking during the summer/fall. There are beautiful views of the river to be had. Lots of fun puddles to splash in.

I hadnt been here in years and despite some of the beaches having higher than normal water, you can tell the state is slowly reinvesting back into its state parks. The trail markers were clear to read, updated maps, updated waypoint posts.... lots of updates since I was last here - including free life jackets for kids at the beach. Did a quick 3.6 mile loop to the north scenic overlook and then back down through the backpack campgrounds.

Great spot to take your family for a picnic. The park is pretty big and if youre adventurous, youll have lots of paths to explore. The experience changes depending on the amount of time you spend here.

Afton State Park is a very versatile park. When I go with the family we will usually eat lunch up on the bluff or hike down to the swimming area along the river.Ive also enjoyed a couple light backpacking trips here. The backpacking campground is perched on a prairie at the top of the bluffs about a mile from the parking lot, making it a pretty doable family endeavor if you have the right equipment and a couple strong backs. I brought my two year old one year and it was a great experience. The sites have enough space that you dont feel like youre surrounded by people.Its also a popular spot for trail running and hiking due to the large trail network. Ive come here many times this year to ramp up my hiking distances and get some hill work in. I love getting here early in the morning before they open the gates, parking up by the entrance and dropping down into the Deer Valley Loop. I have usually been able to observe some wildlife on my early morning trips, including deer, wild turkeys, and a possum.

Great park! The trail along the river front is gorgeous and the trails are well maintained. Feels further away from the metro than it is (in a good way).

Fantastic park! The trails are well groomed and well marked. Day pass for parking is only $7 (and it goes to the park so dont be too upset). There are trails for all sorts of hiking (easy, medium, hard) and it takes you through all types of landscapes- river/beach/bluff, swamp, woods, prairie etc. They have great little fire pit areas and picnic area if youre looking to stay for the entire day. 10/10, would recommend.

Great place to hike with variable terrain.

Always well kept, lots of trails to explore, great place to take your dogs and great backgrounds for photo sessions!

It was a great experience for me and my wife for a picnic.

A beautiful, fun, and clean place to bring the family!

Beautiful park, great hiking.

Beautiful park. Great for outdoor activities and beautiful scenery! Never too crowded in the summer.

My favorite place for hiking, I can spend in Afton State park all day. A lot of good unpaved trails, great for running. Also, in ASP you can rent a cabin or yurt, or just camp there with your own tent.

A fun hiking location! Great trails and right on the St Croix.

Awesome and scenic!

Great hiking trails and walking paths! Always a beautiful and well kept park. Kids loved to run the prairie trails.

It was cool and the yurts were clean Feels safe and the yurts were comfortable. Has tons of privacy. I can’t really think of any thing better than having showers!!! The park staff was amazing and want to come here more often. Good job (️️️️️)

Great hiking trails along the river.

Great state park to hike, fish or picnic at! Great views of St croix river.

Nice place for a hike and walk closer to st croix river.. enjoyed the hike and will visit again

Its gotten really popular (ie crowded) over the last several years, but otherwise still enjoyable - wildlife still abundant.

Great variety of trails!

Less than an hour drive from Minneapolis this is a good get away. As expected it has many walk trails. Highlight of this location is beach which is nice for swim and sun bath. But beach isnt motor vehicle accessible so expect 5-10 min walk. Campgrounds are nearby beach and require further walk.

Beautiful day spent walking around as much of this state park as possible.Went on the Saturday during Memorial Day weekend and it wasnt too crazy busy. Left some of the more main routes and went up by the prairie areas - it was so beautiful and peaceful up there! Passed a few trail runners and ran into people a few times but not very often. Mostly felt like I had the park to myself. Found lots of lovely wildflowers and there are big lilac bushes at the entrance of the park. Level walking in the prairies but then there are a few trails that have some more up and down hill hiking. As I got closer to the river there were definitely more people. There were a couple of good view points as well as many places to stop and rest at benches if needed. By the river there are lots of picnic tables as well. All of the trails are really well marked and its easy to follow their system to know how to read a trail map and where you want to go. 10 miles of hiking at this park for the day and saw 2 bald eagles perched on the telephone line at the park entrance. Ill be back!!

Very pretty park along the river. Lots of deer! Uffda.

Beautiful scenery with lots of challenging trails and more than a few steep inclines make this a unique treasure of the Twin Cities area.

Up from deep South for an appointment at Mayo Clinic, but with the medical all done wanted a real Minnesota experience. After evaluating our options headed out to Afton and was not disappointed. The staff in the park were most helpful and opened the door for our first ever snow shoeing experience. After being oriented at gate entrance and renting our short snow shoes we chanced to meet Linda Radimecky, the park naturalist. Linda is a jewel and helped us get into a pair of real snow shoes and pointed us into a snow covered field. She did this, I think as a act of kindness as her work day was done and couldnt have nicely blown us off, but gave us extra time and shared something precious to her by allowing us to use vintage snow shoes.Thanks for your hospitality, Linda! We had a great time. So much so, after an hour in the field strapped on the little ones and treked down to the river

Beautiful views along the water with plenty of stroller accessable trails to walk.

Come lets hike, take out pets and explore the wild.

Great place to visit year round!

I went with my family and friends, we felt in love, We walked around 4 hours and the beach is special.

Probably some of the best hiking trails near the twin cities. There is actually some elevation in the walking trails and you get to go through prairies, the woods, and probably a mile or so along the river. Also, you can walk the shoreline which is better than the trail. They also have some great events during the winter as well, like Afton Lights.

Nice place. But the parking and the personnel attitude sucks

Beautiful and peaceful! The backpacking campground is very beautiful & is set up very well! The pumps for the wells are solar powered and the nearest one to our site (site 3) wasnt working unfortunately (perhaps too many cloudy days) so we had to walk to the water that was near the beach but that wasnt a huge deal. We would definitely return!! There are switch backs that give you quite the workout!

The yurts were great. The park staff were friendly. The yurts were comfortable and very clean. There was plenty of privacy. Bathroom close by. Wish they would have had showers and flush toilets closer to sites.

Beautiful park and nice trails.

Awesome first time experience and wish we had more time there. Spacious and well maintained! Definitely recommend the trail that runs along the St Croix. Saw my very first pheasant too!

Gorgeous park. Be ready to hike, unless you are group camping at a cabin not much can be accessed by car, but for the rest of us, grab your pack and enjoy some of the best river valley views around.Campsites for backpackers are on top of a ski hill. If youre not in shape (Im not), its a bit of a slog. But its worth it.

Camp spots are cozy, bring bug spray

Close to the city. Winter camping you will hear the Afton Alps ski resort. Busy, but nice. If you need nature but dont have the time for a drive it will work.

Ive been coming to this park for about the last 35 years. Its changed a little bit, but still great for hiking.

This is a great place it you want to spend time outdoors, go for a hike, have a picnic, swim, camp, or ride a bike on paved or unpaved trails. There are miles of trails and enough scenery for any occasion. There are hardly any pesky bugs, and its generally an uncrowded area. It is open all year round, and is just as fun in the winter as it is in the summer, spring or fall. You can bring your pets, and its enjoyable for everyone. There are plenty of options to explore from all sun, all shade, or some of both. You can walk through the woods, by the river, through and around meadows, and all sorts of other places. From a relaxing walk in the park, to an exciting on or off road bike adventure, or just a peaceful picnic, this place is so kinds of fun.

Really nice park. Since I live in Minneapolis its a favorite spot for a long walk/hike and the occasional quick camping trip. The fall colors today were absolutely stunning!

Great state park. It has a surprising number of hiking trails and they have clearly marked signs for summer and winter hiking. There are places for hiking, biking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and horse riding. Many hikes go along the river and have nice views. Most of the trails seem pretty easy and family friendly or good for trail running.

One of my favorite nature areas to go to when trying to escape the cities. A short 30min drive from downtown Minneapolis so this is a great afternoon getaway.

It was a beautiful place with many hiking trails to choose from. It offers camping and cabin rentals as well. Very crowded on weekends though and lots of dogs. That may be a good or bad thing depending on if you like dogs. Our dog had a great time.

The park features great views of the St Croix River. There are many hiking trails to chose from. However, I would not recommend biking in the park. The trails are very steep and often a little congested with people. There are other good biking options in the surrounding area outside of the park. The park does offer a swimming beach. There is a dock, however it requires hauling a kayak/canoe down a steep, paved path to reach it. Overall, I would recommend this park to anyone who likes to get out and hike. The park is also in a very convenient location, not far from the Twin Cities.

Great spot for a quick hike that is close to the city. Open year round (hiking, horseback, biking, xc skiing, snowshoeing). Could easily spend an entire day, but there are also shorter hikes (1.5 hours and less)

This is a beautiful State Park. Great hiking trails of all skill levels and great views. Located close to the Twin Cities it is an easy drive but you feel far away from it all.

We (family of 6 - youngest is 2 months) came to hike and picnic. There are so many trails! Its actually easy to miss your turn, if you arent careful. Its definitely a great place to get a little lost. I loved that some of the trails that are marked as easy for those a little less mobile, but theres plenty for those able to do more. Everyone at the visitor center was very nice and helpful, too.

Wonderful place to explore for anyone with an inkling of wanderlust for the outdoors. Whether you are a cyclist, runner, hiker, camper, or walker, this park has it all. Many miles of trails ranging from strenuous to easy and open field to heavily wooded forest. Great views of the St. Croix and ample room to grill and picnic. Fresh water and bathrooms are nearby as well as maps of the area.Total milage differs, so please take a look at the map posted in the pictures. Definitely worth a visit!

Camp here many times during the year especially during the winter. Great place to teach new backpackers.

Great place to hike that’s so close to the cities. There’s trails up through the fields along with a trail along the river that has areas to get down by the river front. There’s tons of picnic tables and multiple areas for lunch or get togethers. The campsites are a pretty short walk though they’re mostly uphill.

Great hiking trails, camping and swimming.

Ranger was super helpful. Trails were groomed. Great variety of hikes. Camped at one of the backpacking sites and it was fun to cut our own wood for the evening!

Beautiful park. Many trails with varying landscapes.

Great hiking!