Please join us for an easy-paced hike on the prairie trails of Oxbow Park in Byron. The route will be approximately 4.0 miles, and we expect to be hiking for about 2 hours. We will pause occasionally to enjoy the scenery.
All trails are unpaved with uneven terrain, including turf, ruts, roots, rocks, gravel, and possible mud.
Meeting location: Second Bridge picnic shelter
Date: July 25, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM
Parking: Free parking is available near the meeting area.
Pace: The planned pace is about 25 minutes per mile. Note that pace may vary depending on weather, group size, and trail conditions.
Leaders will do their best to keep the group together, though some natural spreading may occur. Trail maps will be available for anyone with concerns, and the park is well-marked.
Route: We are hitting several prairie sections along the Prairie Shortcut Trail, Bison Prairie Trail, and Yeager Nature Trail
Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo Map
Optional: Post-hike lunch
For anyone interested, we’ll gather after the hike at:
Kingdom Buffet
1639 N Broadway, Rochester, MN 55906
What to bring
Dress for the weather (layers recommended)
Wear hiking boots or supportive sneakers
Bring water as needed
Optional: lawn chairs for after hike socializing
Questions
Please feel free to post questions on Discord to the Hiking group page
Important: All regular hikers must be RASC members. If you only plan to participate in the organized walks, then you do not need to be a RASC member or sign the waiver. If you would like to participate as a guest to try it out, please click on the guest waiver button below to digitally sign our waiver. To sign up for membership or to sign a waiver, go to https://www.rasc-mn.org/hiking.