University of Minnesota
UMore Park
http://www.umorepark.umn.edu
612-626-8431

Vermillion Highlands: A Research, Recreation and Wildlife Management Area

Recreational Activities

Vermillion Highlands’ 2,822 acres provide ample opportunity for a number of recreational activities. Lone Rock Trail offers horse riders, hikers and cross country skiers a pleasant and scenic experience, including gently rolling terrain, wooded areas, agricultural land and two significant wetlands that flow into the Vermillion River.

Horseback RidingSeason schedule: Trail conditions permitting, the Lone Rock Trail opens to horseback riders on April 1 and remains open through October 31.

Fees: $5 daily or $25 annual (see Fees information below)

Access: The trail head is the sole access point for the Lone Rock Trail. Parking for horse trailers, horse watering facilities, and restroom facilities are provided at this location for trail users. View map for the trail head location.
HikingSeason schedule: The Lone Rock Trail is open to hiking from December 12 through October 31.

Fees: Hikers are not required to pay a fee to use the trail.

Trail courtesy: Please protect our natural vegetation by staying on the trail. Dogs are allowed on the trail with hikers, but must be kept on a leash.

Access: The trail head is the sole access point for the Lone Rock Trail. Parking and restroom facilities are provided. View map for the trail head location.
Cross-Country SkiingSeason schedule: Conditions permitting, the Lone Rock Trail is open to cross-country skiing from December 12 through March 31.
Note: Skiers are urged to use caution from mid-December to early-January as pheasant and late season goose hunting will be ongoing.

Fees: $5 daily or $25 annual (see Fees information below)

Trail conditions: The Lone Rock Trail is groomed in cooperation with Dakota County. For the most up-to-date information on trail conditions, visit the Dakota County Web site or call the Dakota County Trail Conditions line at 651-438-4636.

Trail courtesy:
  • Trails are one-way for skiers
  • Follow blue diamond markers
  • Please protect our natural vegetation and landscape features by staying on the trail
Access: The trail head is the sole access point for the Lone Rock Trail. Parking and restroom facilities are provided. View map for the trail head location.


Fees
Daily trail use passes ($5 each) for equestrian and cross-country skiing trail access are available by placing the fee in the box provided at the trail head. Season passes are available for $25 at the UMore Park Administrative Office at 1605 160th Street West, Rosemount, MN, or receive your pass in the mail by placing your fee in the box provided at the trail head. Trail use fees help pay for trail maintenance costs.

Download and print the Lone Rock Trail Day or Annual Trail Use Pass application (18.3 KB PDF).

Lone Rock Trail Map (pdf)

  • Farm Loop (1.9 miles)
  • Lone Rock Loop (4.6 miles)
  • Wetland Loop (3.6 miles)
  • Pine Loop (1.2 miles)
 


Directions to the trail head
The trail head, at the north end of the Farm Loop, has parking and restroom facilities. From the UMore Park Administrative Office on Co. Rd. 46, travel west one tenth of a mile to the first intersection, Station Trail Road. Turn south on Station Trail and continue. The trailhead is located just off Station Trail Road, south of 170th Street. See the UMore Park Map and Directions (pdf).

Call the UMore Park office at 651-423-2455 for additional information about recreational activities at Vermillion Highlands.

Note to Trail Users

Vermillion Highlands is open to various hunting activities during specific times of the year. Trail users are advised to wear blaze orange clothing during these seasons. Please visit the Wildlife Management page or call the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources at 651-322-4643 to learn more.