Skirting a high ridge line above the Mississippi at Great River Bluffs State Park, the King’s Bluff Loop is a scenic Minnesota trail that offers more stunning vistas than it has miles. So, lace up your boots and let’s hit the trail!

Great River Bluffs State Park, just outside of Winona, is perched atop the massive bluffs that form the Mississippi River valley in Minnesota’s driftless area.
Stephen Blum/AllTrails
Among the park’s handful of spectacular trails is the King’s Bluff Loop.
Beth McCoy/AllTrails.com
King’s Bluff - along with neighboring Queen’s Bluff - are part of a scientific and natural area (“SNA”) that abuts the state park.
Gene Hirschel/Google
The SNA protects the hardwood-forested bluffs and the goat prairie ecosystem that caps their ridges.
The 3.8-mile King’s Bluff Loop follows the ridge line from the park to the crown of King’s Bluff and back.
Jackie Peterson/AllTrails

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Along the way, hikers are treated to view after stunning view up and down the Mississippi River valley.
farmecologist “farmecologist”/Google
The hike also affords sweeping panoramas across the deeply-creased valleys and ravines that characterize the driftless area.
David Coleman/Google
The views are spectacular in any season.
Eric S/Google
Even view-obscuring weather can be hauntingly beautiful from the perspective of the King’s Bluff Loop.
Glee Merritt/AllTrails
Despite the amazing elevated views, the trail is relatively level and low in difficulty. This is because it follows the contours of the bluffs at about the same elevation over the entire hike.

We’re sure the King’s Bluff Loop will wow you as you hike. If you’re looking for another short hike with big views, check out nearby John A. Latsch State Park. It only has one trail, but the views from Mt. Charity are spectacular.

Have you hiked the King’s Bluff Loop at Great River Bluffs State Park? What are some other Minnesota hikes that offer more natural wonders than there are miles of trail?

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Great River Bluffs State Park, 43605 Kipp Dr, Winona, MN 55987, USA