The Most Romantic Valentine’s Day Hike You’ll Find in Minnesota

If you love being outdoors in the Land of 10,000 Lakes as much as I do, you understand what I mean when I say that that being out in nature is romantic - even in February. That's why I think taking a hike with your favorite person (or people) is an awesome way to spend Valentine's Day in Minnesota. And, as I'm sure you're aware, there are some truly incredible hiking trails in the Bold North. From the North Shore to the tallgrass prairies in the southwest, there are plenty of footpaths to explore and enjoy. But for Valentine's Day, I think we should tone it down just a bit, and perhaps, tack a destination onto the end - maybe even make the hike part of an overnight or weekend getaway. That's why I chose the Stillwater segment of the Brown's Creek State Trail as the most romantic hiking trail in Minnesota for a Valentine's Day adventure.

Brown's Creek State Trail is a paved, 6.3-mile, multi-use trail that connects with the Gateway State Trail at its western terminus and downtown Stillwater at its eastern trail head, where it meets up with the St. Croix Crossing Loop Trail. The Brown's Creek Trail and the St. Croix Loop combine for a lovely paved pathway that passes all the way through downtown Stillwater and extends along the St. Croix River both north and south of town. The latter trail even crosses the river over the historic Stillwater Liftbridge.

With this combination of options, you can walk as much or as little as you like, depending on the weather and how you're feeling. Personally, I like to walk north to where the trail crosses over MN-95, then turn around and walk south, back through town, to the trailhead just before Sunnyside Marina, and then back to town, once again. This stretch is just over three miles and includes the best St. Croix River scenery you'll get from the Minnesota side. Holding hands along the way will help keep you warm.

Make a reservation for dinner ahead of time, so you can end your hike at one of Stillwater's many wonderful eateries. Domacin Restaurant and Wine Bar always leans heavy toward the romance, as does Velveteen Speakeasy, which would be the perfect spot for an after-dinner drink. Plan to stay right downtown at Hotel Lora or one of the other hostelries in Stillwater's historic district. I don't think there's a better way to spend Valentine's Day in Minnesota than a beautiful hike, followed by a romantic dinner and getaway. How about you? Tell us about your favorite ways to spend Valentine's Day in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. And if you're looking to make a new Minnesota discovery, give our new Travel Planner a try!