Afton: Prairie Trails, Bison Watching, and Village History

Afton offers several reasons to spend your trip outdoors or in the Historic Village: easy trails through prairie and native woodland, a bison herd on restored prairie, and opportunities for boating and fishing on the St. Croix River. There are also astronomy events and a park with a publicly accessible playground. If you’re traveling with family, you can decide whether nature trails, wildlife watching, water, or village history should be the focus of your stay.

Trails through Prairie and Woodland

The Tallgrass Trails offer 2.5 miles of easy trails through tallgrass prairie and native woodland. You can take the trail length into account when planning your day; the routes pass through two distinct types of landscape. For a stay centered on outdoor activity, the Tallgrass Trails offer a specific place to start. In winter, sections of the trails are groomed for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and hiking. This seasonal use offers additional ways to experience the trails, depending on when you travel.

The Oxbow Trails are shorter: they include 1.25 miles of wood-chip-covered trails along wooded bluffs, shaded areas, and Valley Creek. The stated trail length makes it easy to plan your day. The Oxbow Trails are open seasonally and are currently accessible from dawn to dusk. If you plan to visit these trails, take note of both their seasonal opening and the stated access hours.

Bison Prairie and Stargazing

At Belwin, the restored bison prairie is home to a herd each year from mid-May through the end of September. The animals roam 130 acres of restored prairie. Those interested in land stewardship and wildlife will find a special connection with nature here. Belwin’s Bison Observation Platform is open from dawn to dusk. The herd’s seasonal presence and the platform’s opening hours are two important details to consider when planning a visit.

The night sky is also part of what’s on offer: several times a year, Belwin hosts events with the Minnesota Astronomical Society to observe the moon, galaxies, and planets. The Joseph J. Casby Observatory houses an eight-foot-long 10″ TMB Apochromatic Refracting Telescope. Afton therefore offers both daytime nature watching and astronomy-related activities; the events themselves take place several times a year.

River, Park, and Historic Village

The St. Croix River offers opportunities for boating and fishing in Afton. For families who want to include water activities in their trip, these offer a distinct focus alongside the trails and nature watching. Your preferred activity can help you decide what kind of stay you’re looking for in Afton.

Afton Town Square Park is at the southern end of the Historic Village. Its playground and play structure are publicly accessible at all times during the park’s regular hours. This is a practical addition for families who want to make time for play during their trip. Afton Museum is also in the Historic Village. It is housed in a former Congregational church building dating from 1868. The park and museum offer different reasons to explore the Historic Village; the museum’s description refers to the historic building.

When choosing a vacation rental in Afton, your travel interests may guide your decision: Would you like to consider trails and seasonal winter activities, visit a bison prairie at the right time of year, or explore the river and Historic Village? These different focuses can help you choose Afton as a destination based on the kind of vacation experience you want.

More places to explore: Oakdale, Lake Elmo, Cottage Grove, Stillwater, Woodbury, Forest Lake.

For the broader travel overview: Washington.