Annie Battle Lake Trail a 3.3 mile trail that circles the 350 acre Annie Battle Lake. This trail is quite flat. Most of the trail is wide mowed grass; there is a paved section of the east side of the lake. Much of the trail provides views of lake which does not allow motorized boating.
Parking for this trail is located near the Glendalough Trail Center (which has indoor restrooms) at the Lodge Area of the park. This write-up describes the hike in a clockwise direction. Look for the mowed grass trail just to the east of the Trail Center. The lake can be seen from this wooded northern section of the trail. After about a half mile, the trail turns south onto the paved Glendalough Trail. This paved portion of the trail follows the east side of the lake, but has no views of the lake. Shortly before leaving the paved trail you will see two yurts that are available for overnight stays.
Once off the paved path, the trail is again mowed grass. This portion of the trail along the south side of the lake provides views of the lake. Near the southwest end of the lake, the trail crosses a stream that flows between Annie Battle Lake and Molly Stake Lake. Shortly after crossing the bridge, trail heads north along the west side of the lake where there is some prairie habitat. The lake remains in view for the rest of the hike as it passes by the campground and a canoe and kayak rental hut. The trail crosses another stream, after that it is a short walk by a gravel road back to the parking area.
This trail also doubles as the state park’s Hiking Club trail. 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 2020). More information about the program can be found here.
A map of the state park and this hike can be found here.
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