Elm Creek Park Reserve

Heron Trail

7 mi · ▲ 82 ft · 2 hr 22 min

Heron Trail is a 7-mile out-and-back in Elm Creek Park Reserve near Champlin, MN. It is mostly level, with 82 ft of elevation gain. It scores 19/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi860 – 925 ft7.5 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 45.18839, -93.45111
Nearest town Champlin, MN

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Heron Trail

7 mi · ▲ 82 ft · 2 hr 22 min

Elevation 858–925 ft

Out & Back · Elm Creek Park Reserve

Trailhead: 45.18839, -93.45111

Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:59 AM · sunset 7:17 PM

Toilets at the trailhead · Drinking water at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading S.
  2. 0.1 miSharp left, heading S.
  3. 2.8 miTurn right, heading E.
  4. 450 ftTurn left, heading S.
  5. 450 ftSharp right, heading E.
  6. 200 ftTurn left, heading S.
  7. 50 ftTurn right, heading SW.
  8. 450 ftBear right, heading SE.
  9. 0.2 miTurn right onto Heron Trail, heading W.
  10. 0.3 miBear left onto Sumac Trail, heading W.
  11. 0.1 miTurn right, heading NW.
  12. 0.3 miTurn left, heading N.
  13. 1.8 miTurn left, heading NE.
  14. 300 ftSharp right, heading NE.
  15. 0.9 miSharp right, heading NW.
  16. 150 ftArrive back at the trailhead.

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

Trail surface

47% grass39% paved13% dirt1% gravel

Weather

Sunrise 6:59 AMSunset 7:17 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.3 mi in (~8 min). Leave by 6:49 PM for the 7:17 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:41 PM — 6 min before dark.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Drinking water at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

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