Hiking Club Trail

The Hiking Club Trail (see the end of this article for information about the Hiking Club) at Father Hennepin State Park two-mile loop that runs by Lake Mille Lacs and through a deciduous forest. The trail is quite flat with mowed grass, packed dirt, and paved surfaces. A wide variety of birds and wildflowers can be seen along the trail. Whitetail deer are often seen while hiking this trail. Parking for this hike can be found near the picnic area south of the Lakeview Campground. There are a number of other areas in the park to access the trail including the beach area. There is a fee to enter the park; a day use or annual permit can be purchased at the park office. Dogs are allowed on the trail, but must be on a leash.

Look at the blue Hiking Club signs while taking this hike. Start this hike by heading east towards the lake, the trail runs in the woods by the lake for a short distance before hitting the road for the Lakeview Campground. The Hiking Club Trail runs on the road through the campground and then follows a paved path near Mille Lacs for about a half mile. Near the beach the paved path ends and the trail moves away from the lake. This portion of the trail has a number of interpretive signs. The trail eventually returns to the Lakeview Campground. From the campground, the trail follows the road back to the picnic area.

The Minnesota State Park’s Hiking Club program encourages hikers to hike a designated Hiking Club Trail at most state parks. A Hiking Club password is found on all of these hikes. You can earn patches, free camping, and even a plaque (if you hike all of the Hiking Club trails) for participating in the club. A Hiking Club kit can be purchased at most state parks for $14.95 (as of 2023). More information about the program can be found here.

A map of the park and its hiking trails can be found here.