Gitchie Manitou State Preserve

"Finally had the time to check this place out. I need to actually visit earlier in the summer, when the prairie is "alive". Not a whole lot to take pics of this time of year, although I did see a bald eagle soaring overhead. I have mixed feelings on the graffiti on the ruins. Was really prepared to be disappointed and disgusted in humanity, but after seeing it and spending time looking at it, it has a beauty all its own. The "trail" is well overgrown, but I guess maybe it's supposed to be. It'll be worth another visit, but at a different time of the year."

"It's definitely a nice walk/hike up to the ruins. The trails wrap around, we went part of the way and turned around so not sure how far it actually is. Dog friendly as long as your dog is friendly! Met three good doggos on our walk, esp the beagle. Family friendly, you can overlook the river from the trail also. Don't forget to snap a picture at the state line sign posted on the fence. It's small so keep your eyes peeled."

"Definitely gives off an eerie vibe, at least for me, knowing what happened here all those years ago. The silence there is very ominous I must say. I was there in July of 2018, graffiti on the ruins was everywhere, but when I returned in November 2021, the graffiti had then covered every inch of the area surrounding the ruins. I kind of do think the graffiti gives this place a sort of unique and "surreal" kind of look, but sort of sad to see as well. Otherwise, once you get further from the ruins, the graffiti becomes less evident and is rather peaceful."

"Such a great place for a hike with the family. It's a lot of grassland with a stretch of river and some forested areas. We were there for a few hours and didn't see anyone else in the trail. It's a shame that vandals decided to completely cover the ruins with spray paint, but it's still a cool hike!"

"As a preserve it is mostly untouched which can be a good thing, however graffiti has taken over the gitchie monument. Wish the highlights of the area were better laid out so you could find them without trampling through prairie grass or social trails."