Charles A. Lindbergh State Park

River Hiking Trail

Eight miles of hiking trails meander through Charles A. Lindbergh State Park and along the banks of the Mississippi River. Benches (such as this one) offer the perfect spot to sit and enjoy the scenery.

Charles A. Lindbergh Historic Site

The Charles A. Lindbergh Historic Site is located along the Mississippi River and operated by the Minnesota Historical Society. The site is conveniently situated across the road from Charles A. Lindbergh State Park and just a ten minute walk from the park’s campground. For visitor center and tour hours, please contact the Minnesota Historical Society.

Park Office

The park office is located just off of Lindbergh Drive. Visitors can stop here to purchase a vehicle permit or register for camping. Park at the lot near the office and the picnic area is just a two-minute walk away.

Picnic Area

The Charles A. Lindbergh State Park picnic area offers a small playground, grass volleyball court, horseshoe pits, shelter building, water tower, and bathroom. The water tower and picnic shelter building were built in the 1930s by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The water tower stopped holding water in 1965, when the park switched to the Little Falls water system.

Picnic Shelter Building

The park’s picnic shelter building, built by the Works Progress Administration (WPA), is available for rental. The shelter’s doors, open in this photo, are typically closed unless a group decides to prop them open. A sink is available seasonally in the back room. During the winter, the fireplace is replaced with a wood stove, which is used to heat the building.

South Pike Creek Footbridge

This footbridge is a two minute walk from the picnic area and overlooks Pike Creek. The bridge provides an excellent spot to watch for wildlife. While water is low in this photo, spring melting and high rains can cause the creek level to approach the bottom of the bridge!

Jenny Landing Site

Four years before his historic trans-Atlantic flight, Charles Lindbergh bought an old World War I surplus plane, a Curtis JN-4D (or Jenny). He barnstormed from Georgia to Texas before pointing his airplane north towards his parent’s farm in Little Falls, where he eventually landed the plane in this opening in July of 1923. In the years since Lindbergh landed his plane in the field, trees have grown in and reduced the size of the opening.

Prairie

When in full bloom, colorful wildflowers found in the park’s main prairie can be quite beautiful. This prairie is undergoing restoration.

Prairie Hiking Trail

While most of Charles A. Lindbergh State Park is forested, a prairie is located in the northwest corner of the park. A wide hiking trail runs through this prairie. Be careful if it’s been raining, low spots in the trail can get soggy.

North Pike Creek Footbridge

Two footbridges cross Pike Creek within the park. This footbridge is a short walk from the campground. While water is low in this photo, spring melting and high rains can cause the creek level to approach the bottom of the bridge!

Pike Creek Overlook

Overlooks are offered at various points along Pike Creek, named after explorer Zebulon Pike. This scenic view can be found just off of the campground’s non-electric loop and near the group camp.

Group Camp

The Charles A. Lindbergh State Park group camp is rated to accommodate up to 30 campers and is adjacent to the campground. Nearby trees provide dappled shade over the picnic tables and fire rings available within the group camp.

Electric Camping Loop

The park’s 15 electric sites (with 30-amp plug-ins) are nestled in a wooded setting. A water fill-up and dumping station for trailers are located near the campground. 

Canoe-in/Cart-in Campsites

Two campsites are available for rent along the banks of Pike Creek. These sites are part of the Mississippi River State Water Trail and are available for rental by those paddling down the river. For those driving to the park, the sites are accessible by foot from the picnic area, where a cart is available to bring gear to the sites. The sites each contain a picnic table, fire ring, and access to the water.

Canoe Launch

Does an afternoon out on the water appeal to you? The park has four canoes available for rent. This canoe launch site is along Pike Creek, which feeds into the Mississippi River a short distance downstream. A hiking trail also runs through the area.

Boat Launch

A boat launch is located along Pike Creek, just a stone’s throw from the Mississippi River. 

Footbridge in Winter

Large white pines buffer these snow-laden trails along Pike Creek near the south footbridge. Fresh snow offers a wonderful opportunity for exploring park trails. Hiking, snowshoeing, and break-trail cross-country skiing are popular activities at the park in winter.

Charles A. Lindbergh House

The historic Charles A. Lindbergh House, located along the snow-covered banks of the Mississippi River, can be seen from this river view hiking trail in the winter. The Minnesota Historical Society (MHS) offers tours of Charles Lindbergh’s boyhood home. Contact MHS for more information.