Playgrounds and picnic area – Hidden Falls loop from Hidden Falls

Hiking trails & Routes

United States

Minnesota

Rice County

Playgrounds and picnic area – Hidden Falls loop from Hidden Falls

Easy

4.7

(2479)

10,964

hikers

Playgrounds and picnic area – Hidden Falls loop from Hidden Falls

01:45

6.39km

100m

Hiking

Easy hike. Easily walkable paths. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: October 27, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Nerstrand Big Woods State Park

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

99 m

Amphitheater

Highlight • Rest Area

Small amphitheater built off the parking lot

Tip by

299 m

Playgrounds and picnic area

Highlight • Rest Area

Multiple play areas and a picnic shelter with restrooms

Tip by

979 m

Hidden Falls

Highlight • Waterfall

Prairie Creek flows over Hidden Falls as it winds its way through Nearstrand Big Woods State Park. There are many hiking trails in the park that lead to this scenic spot.

Tip by

4.65 km

Prairie Creek Crossing

Highlight • Bridge

It's just a nice bridge on the hiking trail, but I always find myself using it as a landmark for my hike so I decided to create a highlight, I also have pictures through lots of seasons here.

Tip by

6.23 km

Park Office

Highlight • Rest Area

Buy your park permit, book your camping trip, and visit with the nice rangers.

Tip by

6.39 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

6.01 km

369 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

5.80 km

428 m

151 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Today

Saturday 7 November

12°C

-1°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Expect light wind and shifting conditions.

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

June 16, 2026,Hike at Nerstrand Big Woods

I don't do a lot of summer hiking, usually too many bugs and people. But I felt like seeing what the waterfall looked like and how many people were camping. About a 3rd of the campground was full, and a family visiting the waterfall was making themselves known hundreds of feet away with the screaming and 257% volume of the …