The651.com

One day I was walking the path along Mississippi River Road when I spotted a barely noticeable break in the trees to my right. Curious, I leaned in to see more. A path! After a few more steps through the densely wooded space, a beautiful stone staircase unfolded before me, leading me down 102 steps to what felt like a hidden, shady retreat enhanced by the soothing purr of a stream. Sounds like some sort of dreamy fairytale, right?

To be honest, I thought I’d discovered a secret nature hideaway. There was no one else around. I practically expected leprechauns to pop out from the lush, vibrant green forest.

Turns out, it was the “Hidden Falls” portion of St. Paul’s Hidden Falls Regional Park. Not so secret after all! Still, when I brought my husband back a few days later, he confessed that in his 15+  years of living here, he’d never visited this particular part of the park.

As I continued wandering down the path, I came across the small, spring-fed “waterfall.” It was more like a trickle, but pretty nonetheless, and I’m sure it gets going in the springtime. The trail ends here and makes the perfect spot for a secluded picnic. Heading the other direction along the stream, I passed two gigantic bonfire pits— where I plan to return to with friends sometime—more lush green, and more beauty, until the path opened to a wide, grassy meadow dotted with big, old trees. This was the more publicly-known area of the park.

Up ahead I saw a parking lot where people in-the-know had simply driven in through the park’s north entrance off Mississippi River Road. Apparently I came in the back way—and in my mind, the more adventurous and scenic way.

Hidden Falls Regional Park feels like a one of St. Paul’s most scenic outdoor gems. Between the picnic areas, paths that wind along the Mississippi River and connect to Crosby Farm, a boat launch, and endless stretches of beach along the river, you could spend hours here just exploring. Or lounging in the grass. Or fishing for walleye, which I saw several folks doing. Or skipping rocks, like my husband did.

Now that I have discovered my not-so-secret secret hideaway, I’ll be back again and again. I’m sure I’ll see you there, but shhh—don’t tell too many people.

Where: Hidden Falls Regional Park, 1415 Mississippi River Blvd. S., Saint Paul, MN 55116