Top 8 Natural Monuments around Red Wing

A nice DNR loop that you can hike or mountain bike. It's best either in the spring or the late fall/winter as the summer gets really tall grasses at the top of the loop and it can be hard to follow the trail.

Trenton Bluff Prairie State Natural Area preserves a remnant of the dry prairie ecosystem that once lined the Mississippi River bluffs. The 110-acre site includes two distinct units of dry "goat" prairie perched atop steep, 300-foot sandstone bluffs. These bluffs are capped by towering vertical cliffs of dolomite limestone, revealing a clear view of the region's unglaciated bedrock layers. The high elevation offers sweeping views of the Mississippi River and its sandy terraces. As a State Natural Area (SNA), Trenton Bluff Prairie is managed primarily for ecological preservation. There are no restrooms, water sources, or developed picnic facilities on-site. There is a trail that is challenging, with a steep grade that climbs nearly 300 feet in elevation over its short, roughly 0.8-mile length. It dead-ends at the northwestern edge of Trenton Bluff.

The River Terrace Prairie Scientific and Natural Area (SNA) is a protected landscape located near Cannon Falls, Minnesota. The main purpose of Scientific and Natural Areas is to conserve rare natural features and native plant communities, This "dry sand-gravel prairie" sits on terraces left by glacial meltwater at the end of the last Ice Age. It is particularly valued for supporting one of the largest known populations of Kittentails (Besseya bullii), a threatened plant species in Minnesota. The terrain features steep topography, including goat prairies and floodplain forests along the Cannon River, all contributing to its ecological significance. The prairie is a premier destination for observing spring wildflowers. In April, its hillsides are often blanketed in Pasque flowers, followed later by Prairie Smoke, Great-flowered Penstemon, Silky Aster, and even Brittle Prickly Pear Cactus. The area’s diverse habitats attract a range of wildlife, particularly birds such as the Clay-colored Sparrow, Eastern Kingbird, and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, as well as reptiles like the Bullsnake. There are no maintained trails within the SNA, so hiking involves traversing rough footpaths and open vegetation, with terrain that can be steep and uneven. No restrooms or amenities are available. The paved Cannon Valley Trail, a popular bike route, runs near the base of the unit, but the SNA itself covers mostly upland prairie. To protect the fragile ecosystem, rules at River Terrace Prairie SNA are strict: activities like camping, campfires, geocaching, organized athletics, and gathering plants or rocks are not allowed. Pets, particularly dogs, are generally prohibited to prevent disturbance to wildlife and sensitive plants.

a little known Minnesota SNA that often delivers great sightings of turtles soaking up the sun at this very spot. I always make a point to slow down and dismount here for a break and also look for turtles.

As true for all Minnesota Scientific and Natural Areas, no officially maintained hiking trails exist. Still, unofficial, natural surface trails lead to several beautiful scenic overlooks.

He Mni Can / Barn Bluff is a popular destination along the upper Mississippi River thanks to its geology and the connection to the Dakota people, for whom the place is sacred. Furthermore, the bluff was used as a visual reference for explorers during the 19th century. Today, the area is popular for hiking and recreational purposes.