Jeffers Petroglyphs
Loop Trail

Jeffers Petroglyphs is a place of power. The first time I walked here was in the early morning, a cold wind blowing across the prairie on a leaden sky day. The rustle of the grass seemed distance as I first set foot on the stone, staring long at each carving, slowly becoming one with the prairie and the stone.

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This is a place worth visiting many times. Light makes all the difference - morning and afternoon light show the carvings best, but other light shows other things.

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The walk through the prairie after viewing the petroglyphs is quiet and contemplative, a good place for newfound feelings to find their place.

Approach

From the junction of MN-19 and Interstate Hwy 71 in Redwood Falls, Minnesota, head south along I71 for 30.2 miles to Cty. Hwy 10.

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At Cty Hwy 10, turn left and head east 3.0 miles to 510th Ave/Cty Rd 2.

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Turn right onto Cty Rd. 2 and head south 1.2 miles to the entrance to Jeffers Petroglyphs.

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Coordinates for the hike: 44.0909020,-95.0586670

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Parking / Trailhead amenities

Park in the gravel parking lot - there is plenty of room. You will need to enter the visitors center to pay an entrance fee - rates are posted along the short path that leads to the visitor center. The visitor center has clean restrooms and some interesting exhibits, along with gifts and merchandise for sale.

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Trail observations

The trailhead starts at the exit from the visitors center - the gravel trail to the petroglyphs is wide and smooth. There are benches and signs along the trail. When you get to the petroglyphs, be sure to walk along all the boardwalks - when you are walking on rock, be sure to stay inside the rope walkway!

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Beyond the petroglyphs, a mowed trail leaves from the end of a turnaround on the gravel pathway. Take this trail to return to the visitors center.

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Trail statistics

The trail is 1.47 miles long. The sum of all the uphill climbs is 30 feet.

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Trail waypoints

0.04 mi	Parking	Parking lot and visitor center
0.17 mi	Go right	Branch - stay right
0.33 mi	Bench	Bench
0.38 mi	1st Boardwalk	First boardwalk
0.42 mi	Keep left	Keep going left
0.49 mi	Water	Water break on a platform
0.52 mi	Rope Path	Rope path
0.56 mi	Go left	Branch - go left
0.66 mi	Stay left	Branch - stay left
0.67 mi	Mowed trail	Branch - go left onto mowed trail
0.91 mi	Bench	Bench
0.95 mi	Go straight	Intersection - go straight across
0.98 mi	Go straight	Intersection - go straight
1.22 mi	Sidetrail	Go right on side trail, then return and go left
1.41 mi	Right to the center	Branch - go right to the visitors center
1.47 mi	Trail End	Trail end