Great River Bluffs State Park
About
Great River Bluffs State Park is a 2,127-acre state park in southeastern Minnesota, about 3 miles from the town of Dakota. It is managed by the state park agency, and the park holds two campgrounds within its boundaries, making it a base for overnight stays as well as day visits. Summer and early fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Trempealeau Dam show July highs around 82°F and September highs near 72°F, while winter brings highs in the 20s and regular snow days from December through February. The closest neighbors are the Lake Onalaska Canoe Trail, about 4.5 miles away, and the North Loop and South Loop trails, each roughly 6 miles off. Within about 8 miles you'll also find the Eagle Bluff Loop.
Park size
2,127 acres
Inside this park
Location
Great River Bluffs State Park
Minnesota
Data source: USGS PAD-US 4.1 (Protected Areas Database, public domain)
Facts about this place
When to go
Best time to go: May–Sep. The mildest months here, with typical highs of 69–82°F and lows of 48–63°F.
Typical monthly averages (not a forecast) from the Trempealeau Dam 6, WI weather station, 4.3 mi away. High / low in °F, and days with snow.
- Jan25° high8° low5 days with snow
- Feb30° high12° low4 days with snow
- Mar43° high24° low2 days with snow
- Apr57° high37° low1 days with snow
- May69° high48° low
- Jun78° high58° low
- Jul82° high63° low
- Aug80° high61° low
- Sep72° high53° low
- Oct59° high40° low
- Nov43° high28° low2 days with snow
- Dec30° high16° low4 days with snow
Where it is
- Great River Bluffs State Park · State park
- Nearest town
- Dakota, Minnesota · 2.9 mi
- Managed by
- State Park and Recreation
Nearby
- Lake Onalaska Canoe TrailCanoeing4.5 mi
- North Loop TrailHiking5.8 mi
- South Loop TrailHiking5.9 mi
- Red AppleHiking8.4 mi
- Eagle Bluff LoopHiking8.4 mi
- McintoshHiking8.5 mi
- Boy ScoutHiking8.7 mi
- Woods TrailHiking9.8 mi
Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)
Best time to visit Great River Bluffs State Park
Best months: April–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
25° / 8°
7 wet · 5 snow
Feb
30° / 12°
7 wet · 4 snow
Mar
43° / 24°
8 wet · 2 snow
Apr
57° / 37°
11 wet · 1 snow
May
69° / 48°
12 wet
Jun
78° / 58°
12 wet
Jul
82° / 63°
11 wet
Aug
80° / 61°
10 wet
Sep
72° / 53°
9 wet
Oct
59° / 40°
9 wet
Nov
43° / 28°
7 wet · 2 snow
Dec
30° / 16°
8 wet · 4 snow
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Trempealeau Dam 6, WI, 4.3 mi away at 660 ft. We don't have this place's elevation, so higher spots nearby can run cooler. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
