Playgrounds and picnic area – Hidden Falls loop from Hidden Falls

Hiking trails & Routes

United States

Minnesota

Rice County

Playgrounds and picnic area – Hidden Falls loop from Hidden Falls

Easy

4.7

(8513)

9,987

hikers

Playgrounds and picnic area – Hidden Falls loop from Hidden Falls

01:58

7.11km

120m

Hiking

Easy hike. Easily walkable paths. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: October 27, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Nerstrand Big Woods State Park

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

103 m

Playgrounds and picnic area

Highlight • Rest Area

Multiple play areas and a picnic shelter with restrooms

Tip by

783 m

Hidden Falls

Highlight • Waterfall

Prairie Creek flows over Hidden Falls as it winds its way through Nearstrand Big Woods State Park. There are many hiking trails in the park that lead to this scenic spot.

Tip by

1.66 km

Amphitheater

Highlight • Rest Area

Small amphitheater built off the parking lot

Tip by

3.18 km

Prairie Creek Crossing

Highlight • Bridge

It's just a nice bridge on the hiking trail, but I always find myself using it as a landmark for my hike so I decided to create a highlight, I also have pictures through lots of seasons here.

Tip by

6.99 km

Nerstrand Big Woods State Park sign

Highlight • Rest Area

Welcome to the park, now get hiking!

Tip by

7.06 km

Park Office

Highlight • Rest Area

Buy your park permit, book your camping trip, and visit with the nice rangers.

Tip by

7.11 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

6.73 km

355 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

6.54 km

395 m

160 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Today

Friday 6 November

8°C

-2°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 7.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

February 6, 2026,Hike at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park

Got my annual sticker and went down to see the waterfall. Since the creek was still solidly frozen I hiked down it for awhile and saw some more great ice formations and big sandstone shelves that have fallen. Plus took some shortcut trails I normally don't, which was kinda fun to see a part of the park I don't normally.