Afton State Park volunteer Nina Manzi has been updating the phenology calendar in the visitor center with events and pictures for years. This day-long events will include reflection time, conversations about selected readings, and moderately challenging hiking. With 1,600-acres of forested ravines, rolling gr… The red-breasted nuthatches don’t come south every year, only in years when their preferred winter food, the seeds of conifers, are in short supply farther north. There's still lots to see, even as winter settles in along the St. Croix Valley. Snowshoe rentals are also available at Afton State Park for $5 a pair, the park office closes at 4pm. If you have your own snowshoes, please bring them. In the event that there is no snow, this event becomes a winter walk. Click here to learn more… Afton Village Holiday DECEMBER. IMPORTANT! Afton State Park Visitor Center, Afton State Park Trail, Hastings, MN 55033, USA. For a time their hearts actually stop! It contains a combination of oak openings and woodlands. Grand oaks and delicate prairie flowers grace the rugged, rolling landscape of this park. Monday, November 30th brings the Full Beaver Moon; it’s not clear if this moon takes its name from a high degree of beaver dam-building going on at this time of year, or from it being a good time to trap beavers to ensure a good supply of warm pelts for the winter. St. Croix 360 builds support for river stewardship, and connects people and organizations. Adult Member Registration. If you take a walk in the woods you might notice some deciduous trees that are still holding their leaves. Afton House Inn and St. Croix River Cruises is a premier riverboat and restaurant wedding venue in Afton, Minnesota. Click here to learn more… Afton 4th of July Parade JULY. Click here to learn more… Afton Halloween Event OCTOBER. The park is set in a rolling glacial moraine and bluff land. The Northern Red Oak has only shallow indentations or “sinuses” between the lobes on its leaves, and the cap only covers the very top of its acorns. Before you go: Anyone age 16 or older must carry a signed ski pass when using groomed cross-country ski trails in state parks or state forests, or on state trails or grant-in-aid trails. Email: ... Grand oaks and delicate prairie flowers grace the rugged, rolling landscape of this park. I don't fish or ski and motorized boats that go any … Grand oaks and delicate prairie flowers grace the rugged, rolling landscape of this park. See other events. White oaks have rounded lobes. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, and nature trips. See more event information in the current issue of the City Newsletter. Visit BringFido for an overview of Afton State Park, along with pictures, directions, and reviews from dog owners who’ve been there. They are probably oaks! By Nina Manzi | December 4, 2020 | 4 minute read. Weddings at Afton Alps Nestled in the rolling hills & wooded landscapes of the St. Croix River Valley, you will find the perfect backdrop for your special occasion. Trails traverse remnant and restored prairies, wind down deep ravines and rise up to the grassy ridgetops and bluffs overlooking the scenic St. Croix River. The Prairie Walk interpretive trail, oak savannas and wooded river valley offer an interesting contrast of wildlife habitats. Afton State Park is a popular attraction for dogs visiting Hastings, MN. If cost is a barrier, please contact Jessica Rust at jessica@mnhum.org before registering. Hikes and Humanities - Afton State Park. It is an independent news source produced by Greg Seitz, with past support from the St. Croix River Association. 35 reviews of Afton State Park "I'm still trying to figure out how after having lived in the Cities for most of my life I had never once come to the Afton State Park (it's just south of Stillwater on the St. Croix River and less than 30 minutes from the 'burb you know I love2hate: Woodbury). Afton State Park – Hikes & Humanities. Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) health crisis events on our calendar may be cancelled or postponed. Directions Watch. Here are photos of the bark, leaves, and acorns of two oaks that are present at Afton, the Swamp White Oak and the Northern Red Oak. These events are free, family friendly, and perfect for anyone looking to spend a fun evening in Minnesota state parks! The park also provides Geocache group activities throughout the year, so make sure to check out their events calendar to see when their next available date will be. Find descriptions, dates, times and locations for free events, theatre, music, dance, stand-up comedy, art exhibits, history tours, film, author events, lectures, workshops, kid-friendly events, special events and more. But this re-growth of antlers by members of the deer family is the one and only instance of organ regeneration among mammals. Feb 16, 11:15 AM – 1:30 PM. Nov. 22, Sun {A} Hike Afton State Park. The scientific term for retaining dead leaves that are normally dropped is “marcescence”. Afton State Park volunteer Nina Manzi has been updating the phenology calendar in the visitor center with events and pictures for years. DNR RESPONSE TO COVID-19: For details on adjustments to DNR services, visit this webpage.For information on the state’s response, visit … Trails traverse remnant and restored prairies, wind down deep ravines and rise up to the grassy ridgetops and bluffs overlooking the scenic St. Croix River. "Every Bend in the River" Pop-up Exhibition at Afton State Park Presented by ArtReach St. Croix and Afton State Park at Afton State Park Jul 12 - Jul 14, 2019 ... are once again are requiring that all TCH participants wear masks from the start point through to the endpoint of each event. Beginner loop is 2 1/2 miles long. The rugged, rolling landscape of this park provides excellent hiking and skiing opportunities with scenic overlooks of the St. Croix River. Registration is CLOSED but you can register in-person at the event with cash or check. What do frogs and toads do in the winter? Click here to learn more… Afton Art in the Park SEPTEMBER. Blooming little bluestem grass at Afton State Park, October 4, 2018 (Photo by aossanna via Flickr). AFTON STATE PARK. Annual events include street dances (May, July & October), Afton's Strawberry Festival (June), Afton Fest (August) and Afton Art in the Park (September) and Holiday in the Village (December). UPDATE - SAME LOCATION - NEW LEADER GEORGE VANIA WILL LEAD HIKE (BRING YAK TRAKS AND POLES) OR SKI (IF "CORN SNOW") Meet at 10:00 a.m. in the Visitors Center, 6959 Peller Avenue South, Hastings, MN 55033. You can snowshoe anywhere in Minnesota's state parks and recreation areas, except on trails that are specifically groomed for … The trails are perfect for hikers, horseback riders and cross-country skiers. All photos copyright Nina Manzi, except: Bill Marchel, Minnesota Conservation Volunteer: first deer track and both buck deer photos. 8/15/2020 8:00:00 AM. Afton State Park is a state park of Minnesota, USA, on the St. Croix River in Washington County.Its hiking trails offer views of the river, rolling glacial moraine, and bluffland it preserves.It is a popular place for birdwatching, picnics, camping, and other typical outdoor recreational activities.To deter overuse of a state park only … $8. Since the visitor center has been closed and visitors haven’t been able to check the phenology calendar to see what signs of spring to look for, Nina is sending it online. March 4, Wed {WW} Ski or Hike at Afton State Park. Purchase a vehicle permit before you go and get a year of unlimited visits to all of Minnesota's state parks and recreation areas. Introduce them to the magic of floating atop powdery snow on this family-friendly snowshoe tour of Afton State Park. Afton House Inn and St. Croix River Cruises will help you plan your version of the perfect... (Wedding Venues Afton) Learn more ». St. Croix 360 is powered by a broad community of St. Croix River-loving people. Please visit our submission page to send tips, press releases, and other news. Minnesota State Parks and Trails Events Calendar Find a fun activity at a park near you! The rest of the trails are intermediate or advanced. The leaves are four to seven inches long, and are widest above the middle. Important Please Read! For the nature-lover, marcescence in oaks means that you can still learn to distinguish oak trees from one another in the winter. Website. Site visitors should refer to the event organizer's website for possible schedule changes. Click here to learn more… Ultimate Girls Night Out. COVID-19 Press Release 6/10/20 for the Afton Trail Run - The 2020 Afton Trail Run has been cancelled. The visitor center offers a good place to get oriented to the trails and special features of the park… Afton Strawberry Festival JUNE. A knobby cap covers the top half of its acorn. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! If this is not possible, SCRA has a limited number of snowshoes available that participants can borrow … For events elsewhere in the watershed, contact St. Croix 360 directly. Total. Social. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. One of the biggest challenges facing the St. Croix River is harmful blooms of algae in in the lower river, due to excess nutrients in runoff. Afton State Park: North and South Loop is a 7 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Hastings, Minnesota that features a river and is rated as moderate. 9 million gallons of manure: Factory farm proposed near St. Croix tributary would make a lot of waste, Hudson group promotes possibility of new park at mouth of Willow River, River of Refuge: New book of St. Croix River essays now available, There’s a sailboat frozen in the St. Croix for the second year in a row, Bowfishing risk to St. Croix River could be reduced with reasonable rules, Reward offered to catch bald eagle poachers in St. Croix Valley, Scientists find dazzling diversity of aquatic insects in the St. Croix River, single digit overnight with fog rising off open water. Deer tracks are among the easiest tracks at Afton to identify – keep a lookout for them when you’re hiking. Kids starting to feel cooped up this winter? Meet at 10 AM and hike for a few hours. Monday, November 30th brings the Full Beaver Moon; it’s not clear if this moon takes its name from a high degree of beaver dam-building going on at this time of year, or from it being a good time to trap beavers to ensure a good … The park’s trails plunge into deep ravines and climb up to ridge tops where you can overlook the St. Croix River Valley. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. American toads are good diggers and burrow down below the frost line and sleep away the winter in a state of torpor, sometimes waking up enough to move up and down in order to stay just a bit below the frost line. More Info + … Hastings, MN. Trails traverse remnant and restored prairies, wind down deep ravines and rise up … Many birds who are at Afton for the summer have gone farther south for the winter. Registration Deadline Date: Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020 When you hike at the park look for flocks of dark-eyed juncos, golden-crowned kinglets, red-breasted nuthatches, and tree sparrows. We will also be limiting newly posted events to a maximum of 12 attendees. Since the visitor center has been closed and visitors haven’t been able to check the phenology calendar to see what signs of spring to look for, Nina is sending it online. Afton State Park, December 2017 (Photo by Tony Webster via Wikimedia) Astronomy. Afton State Park is located 10 miles north of Hastings in Minnesota’s Washington County. But other birds who go farther north for the summer have come south to Afton for the winter! At Afton State Park, you and your family can get a GPS device from the camp store and start your treasure hunt. Afton'sTown Square Park may be reserved for events. Don’t see your business listed here?Email us to add it! The Swamp White Oak grows in moist soils along rivers and wetlands, and can live to be 150 to 200 years old! But they thaw out in the spring and come back to life. Aquatic frogs, like the leopard frog, don’t dig into the mud at the bottom of a pond but lie on top of the mud or only partially buried so they can continue to breathe. If you were planting bulbs this fall you might have surprised a toad or two! Situated in the St. Croix River Valley, Afton State Park is an easy 40-minute drive from the Twin Cities metro area. This inn and riverboat cruise offers flexible venue options for weddings of every style. Discover the magic of a starlit hike, when even the most familiar trails reveal sights and sounds they only share with the cool, quiet night. The leaves eventually drop before the new leaves open up in the spring. Presented by ArtReach St. Croix at Afton State Park, Presented by St. Croix River Association at Afton State Park, Presented by Afton State Park at Afton State Park, Presented by ArtReach St. Croix and Afton State Park at Afton State Park, 651.351.1717 | info@discoverstillwater.com, © 2020 discoverstillwater.com | info@discoverstillwater.com | Join Monthly Travel Tips E-newsletter, ArtReach Mobile Art Gallery exhibit: Mending, "Every Bend in the River" Pop-up Exhibition at Afton State Park. As we travel along this mellow hike, we'll stop for a guided exploration of the constellations above. AFTON STATE PARK 6959 Peller Ave. South Hastings, Minnesota 55033 Phone: 651-436-5391 Toll Free: 888-646-6367 . Most people don’t think twice about deer growing new antlers each fall then losing them in the winter. Tickets. The goal is to restore the river by reducing phosphorus levels to 360 tons/year. StCroixSplash.org is the new online resource for Arts and Cultural information in the St. Croix Valley, from … Calendar. The park offers visitors a swimming beach, backpack campsites and a visitor center with interpretive displays. Many conifers produce large numbers of cones one year and very few the next, which leads to a two-year cycle in which the red-breasted nuthatches come south to Afton (and other places) in one year but not so much in the next. About The Event. Facebook Blog ☰ This Event Took Place Sat. The trail(s): Park features wooded hills mixed with open prairie along the wild and scenic St. Croix River. Time & Location. Since the parks establishment in 1969, Afton has given hikers, backpackers, trail runners, and cross-country skiers alike the opportunity to explore in a quiet, natural setting. We wish to thank you for your cooperation in helping all … Choose from three banquet rooms, each offering unique settings for your big day. How to find us. Quantity. Perfect for snowshoers of all skill levels, this 1.5 hour hike through the woods makes it one of our favorite winter excursions. William O’Brien State Park in Marine of St. Croix, Afton State Park in Hastings, and Lake Maria State Park in Monticello all have campsite rates ranging from $14 to $17. The forests combine … Chickweed Geometer Moth (Haematopis grataria) observed at Afton State Park on Sept. 10, 2020 (rgsullivan7 via iNaturalist)Note: Afton State Park volunteer Nina Manzi has been updating the phenology calendar in the visitor center with events and pictures for years. … Note: Afton State Park volunteer Nina Manzi has been updating the phenology calendar in the visitor center with events … Frogs, unlike toads, actually freeze but have high levels of glucose in their vital organs which acts as an antifreeze and prevents ice from puncturing their cells. Many parks offer rentals. Afton State Park . Red and black oaks have pointed lobes. The park offers … Afton State Park Afton, MN • 50K, 25K. The trails are perfect for hikers, horseback riders and cross-country skiers. Lower St. Croix: St. Croix 360 partners with online calendar St. Croix Splash. 6959 Peller Ave S Hastings, MN 651- 436-5391 Pretty amazing! Jul 4, 2020. This is a prime time to see bucks with full racks of antlers; after the first of the year you may come across dropped antlers or “sheds” out in the woods. ... Held at Twin Cities area parks, these day-long events will include reflection time, conversations about selected readings, and moderately challenging hiking. To help increase awareness of the St. Croix River, news organizations and other outlets are free to share St. Croix 360 content, as long as you follow a few simple rules. Afton State Park, Hastings: Address, Phone Number, Afton State Park Reviews: 4.5/5 Price. 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