Hike To This Sandy Cave In Minnesota For An Out-Of-This World Experience
By Trent Jonas|Published January 17, 2023
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Trent Jonas
Author
Trent Jonas came to Minnesota to attend college - and never left. He's a Twin Cities-based writer with a BA in English and a MFA in creative writing, a Minnesota Master Naturalist, and the proud father of two adult children. With more than a decade of freelance writing experience under his belt, Trent is often out exploring his favorite topics: Minnesota's woods, lakes, and trails. Rhubarb pie is his weakness, so discovering new diners is also a passion.
Did you know you can take a short trail to a sandy cave in Minnesota – and then continue on to a waterfall? If you didn’t before, you do now. Head on out to Stillwater, and from there, we’ll show you where to go.
Start at the St. Croix Boom Site, a Minnesota State Wayside and part of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway unit of the National Park Service.
From the base of the stairs, head south (i.e., turn to your right) and follow the trail along the base of the bluff for a short distance until you reach a small, sandy beach.
Although small, the cave is deep. And it’s clearly well-used - and not always with respect. You’re likely to find graffiti on its walls and possibly trash or other debris in the cave.
The whole hike is a little over a mile and is not particularly strenuous. Just be aware of your surroundings to avoid roots, erosion, and loose rocks as you walk. Reward yourself afterward with a burger and a shake at Leo’s Grill and Malt Shop in nearby Stillwater – you’ve earned it.
Have you hiked to the cave and/or waterfall at St. Croix Boom Site? Are there any other caves in Minnesota that are as easy to access and explore?
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