At Belwin, the Tallgrass Trails and Oxbow Trails differ in length and trail character. Tallgrass includes 2.5 miles of easy trails through tallgrass prairie and native woodland. Oxbow is half as long at 1.25 miles; its wood-chip-covered trails run along wooded bluffs, shaded areas, and Valley Creek. This lets you choose between a longer route rated easy and a shorter route with its own trail surface and riverside setting.
Trails and seasonal conditions
In winter, sections of the Tallgrass Trails are groomed for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and hiking. Check seasonal conditions before your trip. The Oxbow Trails are open seasonally and are currently accessible from dawn to dusk. Check these hours before your visit, too. When planning, it is worth considering the offerings separately: grooming applies to sections of the Tallgrass Trails, while access to the Oxbow Trails is seasonal.
Bison prairie and observation platform
Belwin's restored bison prairie is home to a herd of bison each year from mid-May through the end of September. The herd roams 130 acres of restored prairie. The Bison Observation Platform is open from dawn to dusk. So two different timeframes matter when planning a visit: the herd's seasonal period and the platform's daily hours. Check the seasonal situation and operating details before your trip.
Stargazing events
Several times a year, Belwin hosts events with the Minnesota Astronomical Society to observe the moon, galaxies, and planets. If you plan to attend one, check the dates separately. The Joseph J. Casby Observatory houses an eight-foot-long 10″ TMB Apochromatic Refracting Telescope. The astronomy events and telescope give your stay a distinct focus alongside the trails and bison prairie.
Historic Village of Afton
Afton Town Square Park is at the southern end of the Historic Village of Afton. Its playground and play structure are open to the public at any time during the park's regular hours. Since park hours may change, check the details before your visit. Also located in the Historic Village is the Afton Museum, housed in a former Congregational church building dating to 1868. The park and museum offer different points of interest: one features a publicly accessible play structure during park hours, while the other is a historic church building and a reminder of its former use.
Along the St. Croix River
The St. Croix River offers opportunities for boating and fishing in Afton. Alongside the trails and attractions at Belwin, you can also choose activities on the water. Boating and fishing are two different ways to make the river part of your interests during your stay.
Explore more destinations: Woodbury, Lake Elmo, Oakdale, Forest Lake, Stillwater, Cottage Grove.
Return to the main travel overview: Washington.
