Willow Creek Reservoir Loop

Willow Creek Reservoir Loop is a 2.1-mile loop hike in Minnesota, about 3 miles from the town of Judge. The route is short and easy, with a total elevation gain of 57 feet, and it starts and ends at nearly the same elevation, around 1,148 feet. The trail is a loop, so you can walk it in either direction, and the climb is gentle, with the steepest stretch at about 0.18 miles in, where the grade reaches 6 percent. Bikes are allowed on the loop, but horses are not, according to OpenStreetMap tags. That makes it a good choice for a quick outing on foot or by bike. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Rochester show July highs around 80°F with lows near 61°F, while winter highs stay in the 20s. Several other outdoor spots sit within a few miles. The Pipe and Meander are cross-country ski trails about 2 miles away, and the River Trail is a hike roughly 4 miles off. Paddlers can head to the South Fork Zumbro River, about 6 miles away.