AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Vermillion Highlands Research Recreation and Wildlife Management Area

Empire Lake–Farm Loop, 4 sights

12.7 mi · ▲ 364 ft · 4 hr 25 min

Empire Lake–Farm Loop, 4 sights is a 12.7-mile out-and-back in Vermillion Highlands Research Recreation and Wildlife Management Area near Empire, MN. The route passes Empire Lake before reaching Empire Lake at the turnaround, 6.4 miles in. It climbs 364 ft. It scores 45/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.

Elevation

0 mi866 – 978 ft13.4 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Wetland Loop 44.68148, -93.03549
Nearest town Empire, MN
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Empire Lake–Farm Loop, 4 sights

12.7 mi · ▲ 364 ft · 4 hr 25 min

Elevation 865–979 ft

Out & Back · Vermillion Highlands Research Recreation and Wildlife Management Area

Trailhead: Wetland Loop · 44.68148, -93.03549

Weather Sep 24: sunrise 7:02 AM · sunset 7:08 PM

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Wetland Loop, heading W.
  2. 1.7 miTurn right onto Lone Rock Loop, heading N.
  3. 0.3 miBear left, heading W.
  4. 1.6 miTurn right onto Farm Loop, heading S.
  5. 50 ftTurn left, heading S.
  6. 250 ftBear left, heading W.
  7. 0.3 miSharp right, heading SE.
  8. 350 ftBear right, heading S.
  9. 0.2 miBear right, heading SW.
  10. 0.2 miPass Empire Lake.
  11. 150 ftBear right, heading SW.
  12. 0.2 miTurn left, heading N.
  13. 50 ftTurn right, heading N.
  14. 250 ftTurn left, heading N.
  15. 50 ftTurn right, heading N.
  16. 0.2 miBear left, heading N.
  17. 150 ftTurn left, heading N.
  18. 1.6 miReach Empire Lake, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  19. 1.6 miTurn right, heading N.
  20. 150 ftBear right, heading NW.
  21. 0.2 miTurn left, heading SE.
  22. 50 ftTurn right, heading SE.
  23. 250 ftTurn left, heading E.
  24. 50 ftTurn right, heading E.
  25. 0.2 miBear left, heading S.
  26. 0.2 miBear left, heading S.
  27. 0.2 miBear left, heading S.
  28. 350 ftSharp left, heading E.
  29. 0.3 miBear right, heading NE.
  30. 350 ftTurn left onto Lone Rock Loop, heading SE.
  31. 1.5 miTurn right, heading E.
  32. 0.4 miTurn left onto Wetland Loop, heading NE.
  33. 1.6 miArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/empire-lake-farm-loop-out-back-4-sights-17-km

Trail surface

47% dirt53% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 7:02 AMSunset 7:08 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 3.2 mi in (~84 min). Leave by 5:24 PM for the 7:08 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:44 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from Wetland Loop Trailhead

Hikes near Empire, Minnesota