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. AFTON STATE PARK 6959 Peller Ave. South Hastings, Minnesota 55033 Phone: 651-436-5391 Toll Free: 888-646-6367 . Learn more ». 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. Introduce them to the magic of floating atop powdery snow on this family-friendly snowshoe tour of Afton State Park. Afton State Park . By Nina Manzi | December 4, 2020 | 4 minute read. The rest of the trails are intermediate or advanced. But they thaw out in the spring and come back to life. Lower St. Croix: St. Croix 360 partners with online calendar St. Croix Splash. 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. Hastings, MN. Minnesota State Parks and Trails Events Calendar Find a fun activity at a park near you! 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. Registration is CLOSED but you can register in-person at the event with cash or check. Kids starting to feel cooped up this winter? Grand oaks and delicate prairie flowers grace the rugged, rolling landscape of this park. Visit BringFido for an overview of Afton State Park, along with pictures, directions, and reviews from dog owners who’ve been there. COVID-19 Press Release 6/10/20 for the Afton Trail Run - The 2020 Afton Trail Run has been cancelled. Tickets. There's still lots to see, even as winter settles in along the St. Croix Valley. This inn and riverboat cruise offers flexible venue options for weddings of every style. 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. Note: Afton State Park volunteer Nina Manzi has been updating the phenology calendar in the visitor center with events … ... are once again are requiring that all TCH participants wear masks from the start point through to the endpoint of each event. Total. Afton House Inn and St. Croix River Cruises will help you plan your version of the perfect... (Wedding Venues Afton) 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. 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 is a popular attraction for dogs visiting Hastings, MN. Website. Click here to learn more… Afton Art in the Park SEPTEMBER. Beginner loop is 2 1/2 miles long. 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. Registration Deadline Date: Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020 The park offers … Afton State Park is located 10 miles north of Hastings in Minnesota’s Washington County. See more event information in the current issue of the City Newsletter. See other events. Price. With 1,600-acres of forested ravines, rolling gr… When you hike at the park look for flocks of dark-eyed juncos, golden-crowned kinglets, red-breasted nuthatches, and tree sparrows. White oaks have rounded lobes. 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. 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. Email: ... Grand oaks and delicate prairie flowers grace the rugged, rolling landscape of this park. 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. But other birds who go farther north for the summer have come south to Afton for the winter! Afton State Park Afton, MN • 50K, 25K. 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. A knobby cap covers the top half of its acorn. The forests combine … Afton State Park Visitor Center, Afton State Park Trail, Hastings, MN 55033, USA. StCroixSplash.org is the new online resource for Arts and Cultural information in the St. Croix Valley, from … Blooming little bluestem grass at Afton State Park, October 4, 2018 (Photo by aossanna via Flickr). About The Event. Adult Member Registration. Frogs that spend most of their time on land, called “terrestrial frogs”, like the wood frog, are not good diggers and look for cracks and spaces in rocks and logs. Purchase a vehicle permit before you go and get a year of unlimited visits to all of Minnesota's state parks and recreation areas. Quantity. The trail(s): Park features wooded hills mixed with open prairie along the wild and scenic St. Croix River. If cost is a barrier, please contact Jessica Rust at jessica@mnhum.org before registering. Many parks offer rentals. For events elsewhere in the watershed, contact St. Croix 360 directly. Don’t see your business listed here?Email us to add it! 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. These events are free, family friendly, and perfect for anyone looking to spend a fun evening in Minnesota state parks! The Swamp White Oak grows in moist soils along rivers and wetlands, and can live to be 150 to 200 years old! All photos copyright Nina Manzi, except: Bill Marchel, Minnesota Conservation Volunteer: first deer track and both buck deer photos. We’ll start skiing at 10:15. … At Afton State Park, you and your family can get a GPS device from the camp store and start your treasure hunt. We will also be limiting newly posted events to a maximum of 12 attendees. The park is set in a rolling glacial moraine and bluff land. Hikes and Humanities - 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). Jul 4, 2020. 6959 Peller Ave S Hastings, MN 651- 436-5391 If you have your own snowshoes, please bring them. Click here to learn more… Afton Halloween Event OCTOBER. Choose from three banquet rooms, each offering unique settings for your big day. The park offers visitors a swimming beach, backpack campsites and a visitor center with interpretive displays. 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. ... Held at Twin Cities area parks, these day-long events will include reflection time, conversations about selected readings, and moderately challenging hiking. 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 … … 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. "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 Nov. 22, Sun {A} Hike Afton State Park. For the nature-lover, marcescence in oaks means that you can still learn to distinguish oak trees from one another in the winter. 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. Snowshoe rentals are also available at Afton State Park for $5 a pair, the park office closes at 4pm. IMPORTANT! It is an independent news source produced by Greg Seitz, with past support from the St. Croix River Association. 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. Trails traverse remnant and restored prairies, wind down deep ravines and rise up … Perfect for snowshoers of all skill levels, this 1.5 hour hike through the woods makes it one of our favorite winter excursions. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! I don't fish or ski and motorized boats that go any … 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. The Prairie Walk interpretive trail, oak savannas and wooded river valley offer an interesting contrast of wildlife habitats. It contains a combination of oak openings and woodlands. March 4, Wed {WW} Ski or Hike at Afton State Park. 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. You can snowshoe anywhere in Minnesota's state parks and recreation areas, except on trails that are specifically groomed for … Deer tracks are among the easiest tracks at Afton to identify – keep a lookout for them when you’re hiking. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. The goal is to restore the river by reducing phosphorus levels to 360 tons/year. What do frogs and toads do in the winter? 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. How to find us. St. Croix 360 builds support for river stewardship, and connects people and organizations. Afton State Park – Hikes & Humanities. If you feel out of touch with the natural world because of too much city, Afton State Park will help you mark the seasons. More Info + … If you take a walk in the woods you might notice some deciduous trees that are still holding their leaves. The rugged, rolling landscape of this park provides excellent hiking and skiing opportunities with scenic overlooks of the St. Croix River. Site visitors should refer to the event organizer's website for possible schedule changes. In the event that there is no snow, this event becomes a winter walk. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, and nature trips. Meet at 10 AM and hike for a few hours. Important Please Read! 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. 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 … Social. 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. Pretty amazing! Afton'sTown Square Park may be reserved for events. 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. 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. The visitor center offers a good place to get oriented to the trails and special features of the park… Click here to learn more… Afton Village Holiday DECEMBER. 8/15/2020 8:00:00 AM. We wish to thank you for your cooperation in helping all … For a time their hearts actually stop! This day-long events will include reflection time, conversations about selected readings, and moderately challenging hiking. If you were planting bulbs this fall you might have surprised a toad or two! They are probably oaks! Time & Location. Afton Strawberry Festival JUNE. Click here to learn more… Ultimate Girls Night Out. 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. Red and black oaks have pointed lobes. 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. Grand oaks and delicate prairie flowers grace the rugged, rolling landscape of this park. The leaves eventually drop before the new leaves open up in the spring. Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) health crisis events on our calendar may be cancelled or postponed. But this re-growth of antlers by members of the deer family is the one and only instance of organ regeneration among mammals. AFTON STATE PARK. Calendar. 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. Most people don’t think twice about deer growing new antlers each fall then losing them in the winter. Facebook Blog ☰ This Event Took Place Sat. Afton State Park volunteer Nina Manzi has been updating the phenology calendar in the visitor center with events and pictures for years. Situated in the St. Croix River Valley, Afton State Park is an easy 40-minute drive from the Twin Cities metro area. Afton House Inn and St. Croix River Cruises is a premier riverboat and restaurant wedding venue in Afton, Minnesota. Many birds who are at Afton for the summer have gone farther south for the winter. Afton State Park, December 2017 (Photo by Tony Webster via Wikimedia) Astronomy. The trails are perfect for hikers, horseback riders and cross-country skiers. Afton State Park, Hastings: Address, Phone Number, Afton State Park Reviews: 4.5/5 Click here to learn more… Afton 4th of July Parade JULY. Directions Watch. The trails are perfect for hikers, horseback riders and cross-country skiers. 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. Grows in moist soils along rivers and wetlands, and tree sparrows beach, backpack campsites and visitor... With pictures, directions, and can live to be 150 to 200 years!. The deer family is the one and only instance of organ regeneration among.! Camp store and start your treasure hunt of 12 attendees new leaves open in... 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