Afton State Park

Afton State Park preserves a dramatic stretch of bluffland and glacial moraine along the St. Croix River, with deep ravines, wooded slopes, prairie remnants, restored oak savanna, and views from blufftop trails. Created as Minnesota sought relief for nearby William O'Brien State Park, it grew from a 1967 riverfront purchase that included the last beach on the state's side of the river, though local resistance delayed full land acquisition for thirteen years. That opposition shaped a low-impact design with a relocated entrance, no snowmobiles, and foot-only access to the campground and swimming beach. Opened in 1982, the park offers extensive trails, backpacking campsites, and habitat restoration along Trout Brook.

Afton, Minnesota · United States