Whitewater State Park is one of my favorite State Parks to visit. With gorgeous bluff outlooks, winding rivers, and trails with dipping hills that are reminiscent of something you’d see in a Lord of the Rings movie, there’s a lot to see and explore at this park.
Whitewater also has several great camping sites, and I would highly recommend this as a park to camp at if you’re looking for a place to get away into the wilderness for a few days.
If a day hike is more your vibe, check out my four recommendations below:
1. Check out Chimney Rock.
This is a must-do for any hike at Whitewater. The trail to Chimney Rock is a stone’s throw away from one of the main parking lots, and quite a few steps to take you up the steep incline along the river. It’s a beautiful trail, and the views at the top are well worth it.
There are many more stairs than this, but it’s no Judge C.R. Magney State Park.
And at the top is Chimney Rock.
Let’s get a closer look.
Towering above the bluffs, Chimney Rock is a cool outcropping with two tiny entrances into a small cave inside.
If you dare to crawl into the cave (I would recommend checking for critters such as chipmunks and more importantly, timber rattlesnakes, before doing so), there are two cute little windows inside. The windows overlook the side of the bluff, all the way down to the trailhead.
I was a little hesitant to crawl into the cave due to the aforementioned timber rattlesnakes, but after doing a quick check, the place was clear. I actually got pretty comfy here, taking in the beautiful views over the edge of the bluff. If you enjoy heights, you’ll enjoy climbing into this space. Here is a complimentary blurry selfie of me in my element.
Snug as a bug in a rug. Or a timber rattlesnake in a cave.
2. Keep climbing to the outlook.
Continue just beyond Chimney Rock, and you’ll have to climb up a few steep rocks to get to a plateau at the top of the bluff.
I’m telling you, a lot of this park reminds me of Lord of the Rings, and this is one prime example of a spot very Shire-like in my mind.
At the top, the landing has a nice slab of rock that you could sit on and enjoy the panoramic views.
This is another can’t-miss spot in my mind, and I head here at the start of every hiking trip at Whitewater. Tradition.
3. Soak up some inspiration at Inspiration Point.
This is one of my favorite places in all of Minnesota.
Now, there are a lot of Inspiration Points and Peaks across Minnesota, and presumably the rest of the world, too, but this one is especially beautiful. To get there, just turn back on the trail that brought you to Chimney Rock, but instead of taking a right down the stairs and back to the parking lot, keep going straight. Alternatively, if you skip Chimney Rock, you can simply take a right at the top of the stairs when you arrive.
The trail to get there is steep, and has several inclines and declines. There are a few points that might be a bit iffy for folks who aren’t as sure of foot.
For example, this is the trail on a steep section on the side of the bluffs. You might be asking, “Where is the trail?” and the answer is that the trail is the rocks and the bit of trodden dirt between the trees. Thank God for the trees, they are excellent at helping you keep your balance on some of the trickier sections, especially on muddy days.
Along the way, there are more Lord-of-the-Rings-esque spots, like these little stairs that I have a soft spot in my heart for.
Just a cute little set of stairs in the woods.
There’s also a few places to stop and take in the scenery along the way – once you reach the top of the bluffs, you can sneak views of the horizon in the breaks in the treeline.
Even on gray days, it’s beautiful.
After about a mile of hiking, you’ll reach Inspiration Point!
This rock outcropping sets you out on center stage, surrounded by the greenery of the bluffs. There are gorgeous views at all angles, and the feeling of being so out in the open at the top of the landscape there is truly an incredible, freeing feeling. Main character energy for sure.
You can get super close to the edge, which is pretty crazy. Just be careful about your footing!
You can get a good glimpse of one of the other outlooks at the park, all the way across the bluffs – and if you’re lucky, you might even spot an eagle or two.
4. Walk along the burgundy bridge (and bring a fishing pole if that’s your thing).
To shake up the scenery a bit, enjoy views of the prairie-like landscape and the rivers by visiting the burgundy bridge. Just a short path away from the parking lot is a mowed trail that takes you to the bridge.
Every time I’ve been here, I’ve seen groups of people with fishing poles headed to the bridge or sections of the river, so it must be a pretty good spot to throw out a line.
The path takes you through some very tall grasses, and you can tell by the hoof prints in the mud and the gentle indents in the grasses that this is a place that deer frequent and probably sleep in.
I like the look of the bridge in the Fall season, the burgundy against the gold and orange of the grass. There’s also a pretty gorgeous view of a bluff directly behind it, which always inspires me to keep hiking.
Don’t you just want to climb that bluff?
It’s a nice peaceful space to walk along the river, as well.
In all, Whitewater State Park is a great place to get outdoors and enjoy a variety of hiking experiences. The park is massive, so there are many more trails to check out, and some wonderful camping spaces to call home. Be sure to check it out, and cultivate some inspiration at Inspiration Point!
Let’s Connect:
