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Kinnickinnic River Gorge & Delta State Natural Area

4.7 ★★★★★ 59 Google reviews · Running trail in River Falls, Wisconsin · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Natural surface
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Kinnickinnic River Gorge & Delta State Natural Area's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

Natural surfaceScenicRestroomsTrailhead parking

What runners say about Kinnickinnic River Gorge & Delta State Natural Area

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (59 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 7 mentions

“Such a beautiful spot on the river to tie up for an afternoon or overnight (if your boat has facilities).”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 3 mentions

“Beautiful, calm, peaceful place to spend your overnights!”

The view of the river gorge and wetland is amazing. You can park up at the top of the bluff and go to the look out to see it. I also recommend taking the purple trail to the beach. The beach itself is wonderful and the water is very clean.

★★★★★ — Cindy , Sep 2025

Good spot for river swimming. The trails are OK. There are better in the area. There is not very much info about the park at the visitor center besides maps. I might be missing something, but I don't think it's worth a visit without an annual pass or unless you wanna use the swimming area.

★★★★☆ — Matthew , Sep 2025

Was a decent state park. You do need a state sticker to enter. Hiking trails. Picnic tables and restrooms where we went. Can see the water below which was pretty awesome. Not many people at all when we went here on a Wednesday. Was not my favorite state park but nonetheless nice.

★★★★☆ — Melissa , Aug 2023

Nice hike down the Black Trail (asphalt trail, but very steep) and a picnic at the top near the delta overlook. Warm, late-fall weather. Beautiful park.

★★★★★ — Beth , Nov 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 59 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 10 mentions

“Nice hike down the Black Trail (asphalt trail, but very steep) and a picnic at the top near the delta overlook.”

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🚻 Restrooms 2 mentions

“Picnic tables and restrooms where we went.”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack

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🅿️ Trailhead parking

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Plan your run at Kinnickinnic River Gorge & Delta State Natural Area

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
  • Websitednr.wisconsin.gov
  • Phone(715) 425-1129
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 6 AM–10 PM
Tuesday 6 AM–10 PM
Wednesday 6 AM–10 PM
Thursday 6 AM–10 PM
Friday 6 AM–10 PM
Saturday 6 AM–10 PM
Sunday 6 AM–10 PM

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Kinnickinnic River Gorge & Delta State Natural Area

River Falls, Wisconsin

Get directions

Running trails near River Falls

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Kinnickinnic Red Trail Trailhead

4.6 ★★★★★ 28 reviews

River Falls, WI

Natural surfaceScenic

under a mile away

Kinnickinnic State Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 745 reviews

River Falls, WI

MixedScenicDog-friendly

Park with a sandy beach & 6.5 miles of hiking trails offering opportunities for fishing & hunting.

1.4 miles away

Drewiske Family Preserve

5 ★★★★★ 5 reviews

River Falls, WI

3.2 miles away

Carpenter Nature Center

4.8 ★★★★★ 583 reviews

Hastings, MN

ShadedScenic

Nature center with trails and an orchard featuring bald eagles and other wildlife along with an exhibit hall.

5.0 miles away

River Falls School Forest

3.5 ★★★★☆ 2 reviews

River Falls, WI

Natural surface

5.4 miles away

The Community Forest

4.8 ★★★★★ 8 reviews

River Falls, WI

5.4 miles away

All running trails in River Falls, WI →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.