Willow Falls and Nelson Farm Trail Loop

Took the clockwise 6 mile route from the nature center with our 9 year old and our dog. The route had nice undulations with a couple of steeper ups and downs (with some loose gravel so we had to be careful going down). The falls were a real treat towards the end of the hike. The nature center area has a play area, picnic pavilion and bathrooms. .

Around this time of year (August) the weather gets kinda muggy and the weather is suitable for swimming. Lots and lots of people flood the waterfall and enjoy it's cool flowing water. Not very many people hike the trails so if you're into exploring it's the perfect time. The trails are well maintained. Definitely bring bug repellent while hiking little to no traffic hiking trails during low light periods.

Beautiful views. Wide trail, water fall views worth the trip.

Wonder day hike. Beautiful falls. Many trails at different levels.

Did the entire loop. Well marked nicely maintained trails, waterfall was filled with waders on this 90 degree Sunday. Didn't see anyone on the west trails. Short steep inclines gives you a bit of a workout. Overall easy (walk) hike.

Overall the trails were kept up and nice to walk on. Lots of small steep hills that are challenging. Not a ton of variety in terms of views on the trails, but it was a nice long hike. It's too bad the lake is no longer there. Pretty populated area with lots of great energy.

The Nelson Farm trail starts off very flat through beautiful plains. The hills are what I would call severe, not moderate, so be careful on that. The falls are beautiful but FULL of kids so it's not a relaxing experience. We saw many snakes and even a rattler so watch the ground

Fun hike with the family.

well kept..beautiful waterfall

Nice long walk out to cool refreshing falls, the day we went was a time crunch and we only walked to the falls and back. Definitely want to go back and do more! It can be crowded in the summer months when lots of people are camping but the trails are wide and spacious for everyone to walk.

It was very crowded in the summer time, however the trails that lead above the falls are much more private and calm. Overall beautiful park, definitely will come back!

good trail run. steep hills. great vistas

Worth the trip from the twin cities. Great area for picnicking. Tons of space. The falls area had a lot of people but it didn't feel crowded. Even on a perfect Saturday afternoon. The trail itself did have a lot of people on it so if you're looking for peace and quiet, this may not be a guest pick for that. The falls were awesome. We'd definitely go back!

For what's around this area, this is a nice trail and the falls are nice but I wish the trail was a bit more natural and rugged instead of feeling like a city trail due to the paved sections and overly manicured trail.

Flat and wide most of the way. My mom and I parked at the nature center and walked clockwise. I'd recommend walking this way, only because it was so nice to have a cold waterfall to swim in towards the end of your hike. Bring your bathing suit! Wild flowers are great and lots of wildlife! We loved this walk!

Loved the trails here! Can't wait to come back and try more!

Super fun!! Kids had a blast playing behind the falls.

pretty amazing sight!

Gorgeous falls and stroller friendly paths. Camping sites were rustic and pretty.

This is a good trail if you're looking for the exercise, and it does complete the loop with the other willow falls trails, but there's not much for scenery besides one overlook of the river flood plains. The trail itself has several steep hills and is mostly gravel and dirt.

Mostly paved path on the east side of the trail, but on the west side you see more dirt and gravel. The falls are gorgeous, but I recommend going early in the morning before its swarming with people. There's also a few small caves along the river if you dare to climb along the banks. It's a nice trail, but the falls are really the only point of interest.

Love the breathtaking peacefulness of the falls...

Love Willow River Park. Always something new to see and trails are fabulous year round.

Love swimming here

This is a longer trail that goes from near the waterfalls to the West side of the park to a bridge crossing the river. We hiked the park as a loop beginning on the Willow Falls Trail connecting with the Burkhart loop and then the Nelson Farm trail for a 7 mile hike. The Waterfalls were awesome then took the Stairs up to the overlook. After leaving that the crowds of people disappeared and it was a quiet hike the rest of the way. First time to Willow Falls SP. Lots of people from the twin cities visit there on the weekends. Also Climbers there at the falls rock climbing.

Fantastic trails, mostly gravel on outside trails then paved on the main trail. Be sure to check out the falls as they are spectacular. Lots of people swimming and fishing. A must hike for experts and beginners.

OMG, everything you could possibly imagine and more. Hike to the falls and swimming area, go rock climbing on the side of the cliff, wade around right at the bottom of the fall, walk arcoss a wooden bridge and get some beautiful pictures... I loved it. We stopped on our way through and I wished that we had much more time than the few hours that we spent there!

This trail is great! The trails I walked were in perfect condition and about 1/4 of the way I was hiking next to/above the river. Fantastic view of the falls! I will be back many more times!

Nice park. I ran the Trout Brook Trail and Nelson Farm Trail. I saw eight deer along the way which was cool. It was worth my time!