Paint Mines Interpretive Trail and Hot Chocolate

Ladies, let’s get outside and explore somewhere truly spectacular! Join us for an easy, scenic hike through the Paint Mines, a fascinating area filled with colorful clay formations, hoodoos, spires, and incredible geological wonders.

The Paint Mines get their name from the brilliantly colored clays that were collected by American Indians. The vibrant reds, yellows, oranges, and pinks come from naturally occurring iron compounds throughout the layers of clay—making this place feel almost otherworldly!

Along our hike, we’ll wander through the park’s unique formations and learn a little about the area’s fascinating history. Humans have been here for nearly 9,000 years, and the site contains archaeological evidence dating from the Paleo-Indian period onward. The area was designated an archaeological district on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.

Details:
📍 Meet: Paint Mines parking lot
⏰ Time: 10:00 am — we’ll wait about 5 minutes before heading out
🥾 Trail: 3.4 miles / 331 ft of elevation gain
🧊 IMPORTANT: Dress for the weather and please bring your micro spikes! If the trails are icy, you’ll be very glad you brought them.

Post-Hike Treats: After our hike, we’ll warm up together with hot chocolate and hot apple cider.

The drive is approximately 1–1.5 hours from the metro area, so feel free to carpool and make the drive part of the fun!