Red Wing is extra quaint, and worthy of at least a day trip if you live in the metro area. Frontenac state park technically isn’t in Red Wing, but you basically drive by the pretty prison(yes!) and you are almost there. Do yourself a favor and enter the park from the entrance closest to the river(if you look at a map you will see it’s the same road that just loops through) or when you are leaving the park take a left to drive through the same area. It is basically our very own Minnesota version of Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls. There is also an impressive former convent, Villa Maria, that is currently an event center and will soon offer lodging.
A lot of people come to Frontenac as a picnic destination, my mom and stepdad have a tradition of going to Nelson creamery in Wisconsin and bringing cheese curds and having a picnic at the scenic overlook off of the parking lot. From the parking lot you have access to the bluffside trail that goes down to the river. Going down is easy, going back up is a challenge. I would say that if the thought of running a mile seems daunting, then you should consider taking another trail. We started our hike with the hiking club trail in reverse, and it was gorgeous and enjoyable in the fall. We probably would have avoided the bluffside component if we had started the trail going the correct way.
There is a selection of hike-in and drive-in camping. We went the last weekend in October for a last hoorah with the fall colors, and the only bathrooms open were the pit toilets which were ok. The drive-in sites are pretty crammed together, so my site recommendations are based on view of the river and separation from your neighbors. Best sites(photos/videos are provided as well): 5, 20, 36, 42, 50
Food tip: Eat at The Smokin’ Oak on your way into Red Wing. It is a hotel parking lot restaurant, but it is amazing.
