Golden Views from the Valley 🍁
Fort Ridgely State Park's rolling hills and overlooks make for a perfect fall day trip.
📷: Fort Ridgley State Park, 10/9/21
Just when you think you’ve seen the best of Minnesota’s state park vistas, a new one pops up as a contender. Before winter tightens its grip, consider a visit to Fort Ridgely State Park.
Fort Ridgely’s river and creek valleys open to sweeping views that rival any in the state. Add in prairie remnants framed by old shade trees, a historic fort, and peaceful trails, and it’s easy to see why this park shines as a late-fall destination. Prairies thick with big bluestem native grass waving in the wind are mesmerizing!
The park may be small, but it holds a deep history. The name 'Fort Ridgely' comes from the military post established in 1853 amid growing tension between European immigrants and the Dakota people. The grounds of fort site, now managed by the Minnesota Historical Society are open daily from dawn to dusk. The park also maintains multiple stone and timber structures that were constructed by the Civilian and Veterans Conservation Corps in the 1930s, including two picnic shelters and a bathroom.
After you stop by the fort, head over to one of the park's incredible overlooks, particularly Airplane Hill. At this park, any trail that leads to an overlook is a trail worth taking. Fall colors are peak at Fort Ridgely this week and the perfect time to take in the golden views.
Autumn is also one of the best times to explore the park’s rolling landscape on horseback — the trails wind through quiet valleys and prairie grasses. Riders will find plenty of space to roam, with easy trailer parking available at the horse rider day-use area. Although camping at the main and equestrian campgrounds is wrapped up for the season, Fort Ridgely State Park is still glowing with reasons to visit!
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Casey Jones State Trail 🚶
Rolling farmland, lakeshore views, and fall colors around every turn.
📷: Casey Jones State Trail (Currie Loop), Lois Reinert 11/2/13
A fall hike or bike ride along the Casey Jones State Trail is a journey through the quiet beauty of southwestern Minnesota. The trail winds through rolling farmland, wide prairies, and shaded ravines that capture the spirit of the upper Great Plains. You'll pass stands of tall trees, open views of Lake Shetek, and wind turbines rising from the horizon. It's a landscape of contrasts--prairie and woodland, past and present, all within the landscape described by Laura Ingalls Wilder in her “Little House” series.
The three-segment trail, named after the famous railroad engineer Casey Jones, was one of Minnesota’s first state trails. The sections include:
Pipestone to Woodstock: 10 paved miles, 2 miles of unpaved natural surface.
Lake Wilson West: 1.5 miles of unpaved natural surface.
Currie Loop: 6 paved miles.
Make a fall day of it at Lake Shetek State Park with a bike ride or walk along the Currie Loop section. Start your adventure from the park, where you can easily hop on the six-mile paved trail connecting Lake Shetek to the nearby town of Currie. The route winds past historic sites, open prairie, and shimmering views of Smith Lake and Lake Shetek — especially stunning when framed in autumn color. After your ride, spend the afternoon exploring the park’s trails or relaxing by the lakeshore. The campground typically stays open until the first significant snowfall, and four cozy camper cabins are available year-round, making Lake Shetek a perfect home base for your fall getaway in southwest Minnesota.
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