Hay Creek Day Use Area

Hay Creek Day Use Area is part of the Richard J. Doer State Forest. My daughter and I are in Red Wing, MN for a few days and this place is my favorite. A trout creek (shallow during my visit) meanders for miles, and we just did some tent camping on state forest land (dispersed allowed) and wading, biking and hiking. You’ll probably see deer and other gentler wildlife. It’s legal to pick blackberries and nuts. :)
There are some really nice paved trails for biking, and dirt trails for mountain biking. For hiking you’ll find meandering paths through the woods. I read that this is one of the busier places because it’s near Minneapolis (and touristy Red Wing and Mississippi River), but I didn’t find it too busy, but not overly secluded either. For getting out and getting exercise and fresh air and getting into nature or escaping life for a while without having to use survival skills, this is a great place.
You can download maps at the Department of Natural Resources website (do a search for «Hay Creek» — the Hay Creek area is within the Richard J. Doer State Forest area — there’s limitations within the Day Use area). The Red Wing Public Library also has flyers at the entrance that has a rough outline of locations.
Nearby is the paved Pioneer Goodhue Trail (paved for biking) which I believe turns into the Hay Creek trail. (Red Wing is very bike friendly.)
«Hay Trail Road» is the primary point of access and is a gravel road a few miles long. 305^th street and 310^th street (or Recrecation Road) aren’t marked (unless I missed it). Private and Public property does interrupt each other, signage is weak but exists.
Fishing is allowed (we didn’t fish), and there’s snowmobiling paths. I do believe hunting is allowed in some spots (check the map). Someone official with papers did stop to ask if we were fishing, pleasant man, we weren’t — but if you fish or hunt I’d make sure you had a license if required. (My daughter is only 13 so license is not required for her. Personally, the water was waaaay too shallow to fish where we were so the question seemed funny unless I was fishing for minnows.) Creek water was very clear.
Unfortunately, I don’t have a horse or an RV, but there’s stables (Hay Creek Stables) that offer trail rides, and there’s definitely a presence of horseback riders here. Everyone I’ve met around the area has been very friendly. Down the road is the Hay Creek Campground for RVs and horse owners. Very horse friendly area.
I called the office, and «dispersed camping» (free camping in non-​designated spots) is allowed on State Forest land but not in the Day Use Area, but parking is limited and you need a good map to see boundaries, although there are some signs that say «State Forest Land.» It’s not bear country, but they do list coyotes.
If I had any reason to pass through here again, this would be a definitely «always stop here» place on my map. Unfortunately, it’s about 900 miles from home.
Oh ya, and it’s free! No parking fees! (Don’t expect restrooms or porta-​johns though.)
Highly recommend for outdoor horseback riding, hiking, biking, and drinking coffee at the creek in the morning.