john latsch state park

John Latsch State Park is Located 12 miles north of Winona, Minnesota along the Mississippi River. Driving from the south it's about 1 mile past Mississippi River lock # 5 on the left. The sign to the park is not that big so you can easily miss it. But once you get there, there will be a small parking place and wooden stairs in front of you. There are 587 steps to the top of the bluff for a spectacular 180 degree view of the Mississippi River. The best time to go is in the fall. there is no cost to visit the park.

You have to look at the rock formations all around like a child. See if you can find faces. When I get my ship, gonna have an artist paint a few. Don't stay at The Plaza. The General manager so far the worse I have encountered as I do talk to them a lot due to my weeks of stay in hotel's. That's what happens when owner's are not around. Granted I might be a little excentric as been told, but when I was a Exec with AOLTW, we know money when it is in front of you. It was just one of those moments of day and night writings. I told sum1 about my book and it changed their life's thoughts - just gotta fig a way to get this into the book, or maybe a sequel farsay

Nearly 600 steps to the top but well worth the walk. Loved the extensive view from the bluff of the Mississippi.

We hiked the Riverview Trail on a Saurday evening in late August with five children, ages 5 to 11. I am pretty sure it was the most consecutive steps any of us have ever walked up! There are resting benches about halfway up and a few spots where you can step off the main trail and look out over the river prior to the top of the bluff. There are no guard rails near the edges of the bluff, so parents should keep a close eye on their children and prepare them to take proper precautions near the edge.It is a difficult walk up to the top of the bluff simply because there are so many steps. The sign at the beginning of the trail says it climbs 450 feet and takes an hour. It did not take us even near to an hour to go up and come back down, but we half ran part of the time and didn't spend a lot of time at the top, in part due to other folks already sitting on the bench up there and in part due to our anxiety over the kids going near the edge of the bluff.The view of the river and forest is quite beautiful! It certainly is one of the prettiest views I've seen in Minnesota south of the North shore area. It is worth the time and effort if you can handle the steps.There is a parking lot near the base of the trail and there were only two other vehicles in it while we were there. We only passed one other person on the steps and saw one other couple at the top of the bluff. It certainly did not seem overcrowded while we were there. Also, unlike some other State Parks, I didn't see any sign saying that a state park pass is required for parking.

The whole trail to the top is stairs, over 500 of them! The view from the top is is worth climbing the stairs, plus it is a good workout for the legs. We were a few weeks to early for fall color, but I'm sure it would be georgous!

All stairs, not the dirt trail we expected in a state park, but worth the effort with an incredible view at the top. Hiking poles really helped both up and down the bluff.

Stopped one day after work to check it out for a picnic. I was pretty disappointed. I suggest going somewhere else.

The campground area is very nice but is smaller than most, no electrical sites yet. Very nice shower and restroom facilities. The trails are great and the views are absolutely fantastic. The park is one of our favorites Minnesota State Parks.

John Latsch State Park is a nice stop along Scenic Highway 61. It is on the left hand side of the road as you head west toward Minneiska. It is just past the Lock and Dam 5. It is a small park with no camping. It has a picnic table, but no toliet facilities. Its main trail is the River View trail and it is approximately 475 ft in elevation. The trail consists of all steps except for maybe 20 yards on your climb up. Once you hit the top there is a trail that veers off to the right. The path is somewhat overgrown and is very narrow. It goes through the side of the bluff, but about 1/4 mile down the way you start to head out of the state park. I did not proceed past the state park the length of the trail was 1.46 miles there and back. The views are incredible!

This is a short hop across the Minnesota and Wisconsin bridge. Be sure to drive over the old wagon bridge and check out the old park on the other side of the bridge. Stop for a look at the unique old boat houses. Enjoy the view over to Winona and check out the beauty of the Mississippi River. Great for a walk, just a drive, or for a picnic lunch.