ELBA, Minn. – The tourism promotion agency Explore Minnesota chose Whitewater State Park as a Top 10 place for hiking. Specifically the agency recommended Chimney Rock Trail, a steep 1.1-mile loop to a panoramic view of the Whitewater valley. Especially noted: Cold, swift streams leave few stagnant pools for mosquitos to breed. Among other seasonal recommendations statewide:
> Blind Ash Bay Trail, a 2.5-mile loop at Voyageurs National Park near International Falls.
> Cannon River State Water Trail, a 2.2-mile loop at Sakath Lake on the longer trail that connects Mankato. and Faribault.
> Chase Point Trail, overlooking Coon and Sandwick lakes in Scenic State Park near Bigfork.
> Glacial Ridge Trail, a 1.2-mile loop at Mille Lacs Sate Park near Onamia.
> Mississippi Gateway Regional Park, two miles of trails to a Mississippi River Dam at Brooklyn Park.
> Nokke Veiuen Trail, eight miles at Kensington State Park near Alexandria.
> Pine Ridge Trail, a 2.5-mile loop along Hayes Lake near Roseau.
> Purgatory Creek State Park‘s 2.4-mile loop at Eden Prairie.
> Shingobee Trail, at Shingobee Recreatin Area near Walker.
Hard-packed trail. Leads to a panoramic view of the Whitewater valley and hardwood forests. Image: Explore Minnesota