Attractions and Places To See around Osceola - Top 19

Franconia Bluffs Scientific and Natural Area (SNA), located near Franconia, Minnesota, is a protected public area set aside to preserve native plant communities and rare species, making it a haven for those interested in natural heritage. The 85-acre site sits along the St. Croix River Valley, featuring steep bluffs, ravines, and a mosaic of native forests, including red oak, sugar maple, and basswood. The SNA is recognized for its exceptional biodiversity, hosting rare and endangered wildlife such as the Higgins eye mussel and birds like the red-shouldered hawk and bald eagle. It’s also an Audubon Important Bird Area. If you plan to hike here, know that while the SNA is open for activities like hiking, birdwatching, photography, and plant exploration, the trails are generally not maintained, and there are no amenities such as restrooms or drinking water. The land is divided into East and West units, both accessible off Highway 95, and visitors need to be prepared for challenging terrain, especially in ravine areas. The focus of the area is conservation, so hikers are encouraged to come well-equipped and minimize their impact on this unique landscape.

Probably one of the most highly trafficked of the Minnesota's State Parks. Worth at least the short walk around the potholes, and check out more of the park or the Wisconsin side which is much bigger.

This section of the Walter Mondale Trail is fairly easy. If you continue downstream, you will reach a trail that heads inland and hugs, then ascends, a sandstone bluff that is significantly more challenging.

Discover the wonders of Interstate Park at the visitor center, where you can learn about the park’s history, geology, and wildlife. Browse the exhibits, shop for souvenirs, and join a guided hike or a nature talk. Don’t forget to pay the entrance fee and grab a map before hitting the trails.

For a hike that combines history, nature, and adventure, check out the Railroad Trail near Taylors Falls, MN. This trail follows an old railroad bed that once brought visitors to the scenic St. Croix River Valley. You’ll either start or end from/at the historic depot-themed community center in town and walk along a flat and easy path for about 0.75 miles. On the western edge of the trail becomes more challenging as it climbs up/down a steep hillside and wraps around a ravine. You’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the river and the sandstone bluffs that line its shores.

If you’re looking for a scenic and adventurous hike along the border of Minnesota and Wisconsin, look no further than the Walter F. Mondale River Trail. This trail follows the majestic St. Croix River, a National Scenic Riverway, and offers stunning views of the river valley, the sandstone cliffs, and the wildlife that call this area home. You’ll also get to see some of the unique geological features that were carved by ancient glaciers, such as potholes and rock formations. The trail is named after Walter F. Mondale, a native Minnesotan who served as Vice President and championed environmental causes.

These glacial potholes were formed about 10 to 11 thousand years ago as the last glacier melted. Sand and gravel caught in the eddies and whirlpools of the water of the melting glacier was swirled with such force that it literally drilled holes into the rock, forming the so-called potholes. There are more than 80 potholes at this location. The depth of the deepest pothole is 60 feet deep.