Near Bluff Trail
A short stop to enjoy the view.
Near Bluff Trail
I lived 20 mins from this park until I was 19 years old. I never knew about it until I came back home when I was 30 years old. An overcast morning long exposure on the Canyon Trail.
Near Bluff Trail
View from the lower dell at Matthiessen State Park.
Near Bluff Trail
Waterfall at the end of the Interior Canyon Trail. This water fall is also accessible by several stairs at the Matthiessen Lake Shelter parking lot. The road to the Matthiessen Lake parking lot is a single lane gravel road next to a golf course.
Near Bluff Trail
Lake Falls waterfall.

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Driving Directions
Hike Trail

Bluff Trail

3.0 (1 Rating)
A short loop around the Dells area with plenty of views along the way.
2.2
mi
Distance
218
ft
Gain
moderate
Difficulty
BirdingFamily FriendlyLakeRiver/CreekViewsWaterfallWildlife
Access Issues
Matthiessen State Park is open from dawn to dusk. Swimming, wading, scrambling on the rocks, and possessing alcohol are all prohibited in Matthiessen State Park.

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
2.17mi
Distance
218ft
Elevation Gain
218ft
Elevation Loss
65%
Max Grade
633ft
High Point
453ft
Low Point
Path Type
Loop
Description
The Bluff Trail is a mostly gravel doubletrack trail that loops around the Upper and Lower Dells and provides views down into both from various vantages. The Bluff Trail can be traveled in either direction from where it starts on either side of the Entrance Stairs Connector. This description is for the counterclockwise direction. From the parking area, descend the Entrance Stairs Connector to the junction with the Bluff Trail, and take a right. From here, the wide trail gently climbs for over a half mile before descending to a large bridge that crosses over the dam and Lake Falls. The view straight down the face of the falls and into the canyon is quite impressive. The trail continues descending past the upper end of the Interior Canyon Trail, Interior Canyon Trail Connector, and the lower end of the Interior Canyon Trail before it arrives at the middle bridge. Keep to the right to circle around the Lower Dell, eventually descending a long set of wooden stairs. Enjoy a bird's-eye view from the lower bridge before climbing past the Bluff Trail Extension to end across from where the trail started at the Entrance Stairs Connector.

Route Conditions

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All Clear
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Contributors
Eric Ashley