Are dogs allowed on Inspiration Peak?

Yes, dogs are allowed on Inspiration Peak but must be kept on a leash at all times. Pack out waste and respect wildlife.

Do I need a permit to hike Inspiration Peak?

No, Inspiration Peak does not currently require a permit. Still check for seasonal closures or day-use fees with the managing agency before heading out.

How difficult is Inspiration Peak?

Inspiration Peak is rated easy. It is 0.5 miles long with 148 feet of elevation gain. Difficulty ratings reflect a combination of distance, elevation gain, and terrain — your experience will depend on your fitness level and trail conditions.

Is Inspiration Peak suitable for kids?

Yes, Inspiration Peak is considered kid-friendly. As always with children, bring water and snacks, pace yourself, and watch for weather changes and wildlife.

Status unknown — verify before visiting

We don't have current condition data for this trail. Check with the land manager before you go.

See Minnesota trail conditions

EasyLoop

Minnesota

Inspiration Peak

Leaf Mountain, Minnesota

0.5 mi

Distance

148 ft

Elev. Gain

Est. Time

Loop

Route Type

Easy

Difficulty

About This Trail

Inspiration Peak is a glacial feature of the Leaf Hills Moraines and of Otter Tail County in the U.S. State of Minnesota and is the second highest peak in Otter Tail County. It is 22 miles (35 km) northwest of Alexandria. The peak rises about 310 feet (94 m) above the surrounding plains, to an elevation of about 1,727 feet (526 m) above sea level. It is the central feature of Inspiration Peak State Wayside, a small recreation area maintained by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, which manages it from nearby Lake Carlos State Park. The wayside has a paved parking lot and a picnic area. The hike to the top is a short but strenuous walk up a well-worn trail from the parking lot.

Source: Wikipedia — text licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Verify trail conditions and seasonal closures with the managing agency before you go.

Trail Conditions

Unknown

We have no current condition data for this trail. Check with the operator before you go, and submit a report below if you've been recently.

No recent condition reports. Be the first to share what you see on the trail.

Elevation Profile

Min:478 ft

Max:521 ft

45 ft

Trail Details

Route Type: Loop
Surface: Dirt

Official sources & verification

We don't have curated agency sources for this trail in our cache yet. Outdoors is not the permitting authority — confirm conditions, permits, and access with the managing agency before you go. If you know who manages this trail, please tell us.

Reviews

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Legacy import — verify before navigating

Path geometry came from our pre-launch legacy database. Routes have not yet been re-verified against the operator and may differ from the actual trail.