Afton State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Afton State Park |
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Afton State Park's swimming area on the St. Croix River
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 Afton State Park
Location in Minnesota
Afton State Park
Location in the United States
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| Location | Washington, Minnesota, United States |
| Area | 1,600 acres (6.5 km2) |
| Elevation | 938 ft (286 m) |
| Established | 1969 |
| Governing body | Minnesota Department of Natural Resources |
Afton State Park is a beautiful state park in Minnesota, USA. It sits along the St. Croix River in Washington County. The park is famous for its amazing views. You can see the river, rolling hills formed by glaciers, and tall bluffs.
It's a popular spot for many outdoor activities. People enjoy birdwatching, picnics, and camping here. The park is only about 20 miles (32 km) from downtown St. Paul. To keep it from getting too crowded, you can't drive to the camping area or swimming beach. You have to hike to reach them.
The park is located about five miles (8 km) south of the town of Afton, Minnesota. The Afton Alps ski area is next to the park on three sides. The name "Afton" comes from a poem by Robert Burns. The poem is called "Afton Water" and is about a river in Scotland.
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Nature's Wonders at Afton State Park
Afton State Park is built on a special type of landform. This landform is called a glacial moraine. It was created by ancient glaciers. Deep ravines cut through the land down to the St. Croix River. You can even see sandstone rocks in some of these ravines. The bluffs rise about 300 feet (91 m) above the river.
Plants and Trees in the Park
For many years, parts of the blufftop were used for farming. But some small areas of natural prairie survived. Today, the park is working to bring back these prairies. They are also restoring areas to oak savanna. This means planting oak trees and prairie grasses. The ravines leading to the river are full of trees. You'll find oak, aspen, birch, and cherry trees there.
Afton State Park's History
In the 1960s, another park, William O'Brien State Park, was getting very busy. Minnesota needed more places for people to enjoy nature. It was hard to find good land along the beautiful St. Croix River. Then, in 1967, a special piece of land became available. It was undeveloped and had the last beach on the Minnesota side of the river.
Creating the Park
Even though some parts of the land had been farmed, the steep ravines kept it wild. State park officials quickly bought the land in 1968. Many local people were worried about the new park. They thought it would bring too many visitors. Even after the park was officially approved in 1969, it took 13 more years to buy all the land needed.
Local residents worked with the park to make some changes. The park entrance was moved to the west side. Snowmobiles were not allowed in the park. The main road was made shorter than planned. This is why you have to hike to the camping area and beach. Afton State Park finally opened in 1982. The visitor center was finished the next year.
Fun Things to Do at Afton State Park
Afton State Park offers many ways to enjoy the outdoors.
Camping Adventures
- Backpacking Sites: The park has 28 sites for backpacking. These sites are a .75-to-1.25-mile (1.2 to 2.0 km) hike up a big hill. Firewood and water are available at the campground.
- Canoe Site: There's also a special site for people arriving by canoe. It's right off the St. Croix River.
- Group Campsites: If you're with a big group, there are two drive-in group campsites. Each can hold up to 40 people.
- Camper Cabins: Since 2009, Afton has offered four new camper cabins. These cabins even have electricity.
Exploring Trails
- Hiking Trails: There are over 20 miles (32 km) of hiking trails. Some trails go along the tops of the bluffs. Others go down into the ravines and along the river. You can also hike through the prairie areas.
- Paved Trail: A 4-mile (6.4 km) paved trail is open for bicycles. It goes from the park entrance to the visitor center.
- Horseback Riding: About 5 miles (8.0 km) of trails are open for horseback riding.
- Winter Fun: In winter, 18 miles (29 km) of trails are groomed for cross-country skiing. Many of these trails have steep hills, making them a fun challenge. There are also 6 miles (9.7 km) for winter hiking and 4 miles (6.4 km) for snowshoeing. You can snowshoe anywhere in the park, as long as you stay off the groomed ski trails.
Picnics and Play
The park has two picnic areas. There are also four picnic shelters you can reserve. One of these is inside the visitor center and is heated in winter. You can go swimming at the beach on the river. The park even provides equipment for volleyball and horseshoes.
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