Attractions and Places To See around Afton - Top 20

Afton, Minnesota, is known for its beautiful natural features. The St. Croix Crossing Bridge offers sweeping views of the Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway. You can also enjoy elevated views of the river from the Saint Croix River Viewpoint. For extensive trails and diverse landscapes, visit Lake Elmo Park Reserve, which features lakes, ponds, wetlands, forests, and prairies.

Yes, Afton offers several family-friendly attractions. The St. Croix Crossing Bridge has a pedestrian and bicycle path with scenic overlooks, perfect for a family stroll or bike ride. The Saint Croix River Viewpoint is also a great spot for families to enjoy the scenery. Additionally, Colby Lake in Colby Lake Park features a paved trail around its perimeter, ideal for walks or runs with children.

Afton, Minnesota, provides excellent hiking opportunities. Lake Elmo Park Reserve boasts 20 miles of natural and paved trails through diverse landscapes. For a unique experience, explore the Lost Valley Prairie Scientific and Natural Area, a protected preserve with uneven terrain and a maintenance road for easier walking. You can find more detailed hiking routes, including the Trout Brook Loop and the Bluebird and Butterfly Loop, in the Hiking around Afton guide.

Yes, Colby Lake in Colby Lake Park offers a paved trail that runs the entire perimeter of the water, making it a great wheelchair-accessible option for enjoying the peaceful surroundings.

Beyond hiking, Afton, Minnesota, offers a variety of outdoor activities. You can enjoy cycling on routes like the St. Croix Crossing Bridge – Stillwater Lift Bridge loop, detailed in the Cycling around Afton guide. Road cycling enthusiasts can find routes such as the Colby Lake loop in the Road Cycling Routes around Afton guide. Afton State Park also offers skiing during winter, and the St. Croix River is popular for swimming.

Afton State Park, located along the St. Croix River, is renowned for its rugged, rolling landscape, deep ravines, oak savannas, and wooded river valleys. It provides excellent opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, skiing, and birdwatching. The park also features a swimming beach and scenic overlooks of the St. Croix River.

For breathtaking views of the St. Croix River, visit the St. Croix Crossing Bridge, which has three scenic overlooks. Another excellent spot is the Saint Croix River Viewpoint, offering elevated perspectives of the river above the woods.

While Afton, Minnesota, is primarily known for its natural beauty, you can explore local history at the Afton Historical Museum, located in the historic Old Village of Afton. It displays local artifacts and insights into the area's past.

The Afton Apple Orchard is a popular local attraction where visitors can enjoy the orchard experience, typically involving apple picking and other seasonal farm activities. It's a great spot for families and those looking for a taste of local agriculture.

The Lost Valley Prairie Scientific and Natural Area is a 320-acre protected preserve in Denmark Township, characterized by a bedrock bluff prairie with limestone ridges and dry swales. It's a critical habitat for several state-threatened species and an excellent location for birdwatching, with sightings of northern harriers, loggerhead shrikes, and various migrating warblers and sparrows. Be prepared for uneven terrain as there are no maintained recreational trails.

Visitors particularly enjoy the sweeping views from the St. Croix Crossing Bridge and the peaceful, elevated perspectives from the Saint Croix River Viewpoint. The extensive trail system at Lake Elmo Park Reserve is also highly appreciated for its diverse natural landscapes and opportunities for exploration.

Yes, Afton offers excellent birdwatching opportunities. The Lost Valley Prairie Scientific and Natural Area is a prime location, with documented sightings of northern harriers, loggerhead shrikes, and various migrating warblers and sparrows. Afton State Park is also known for its birdwatching.