Overview
Afton is a city in the Twin Cities region of Minnesota. It lies nearly on the banks of the Saint Croix River, which forms the natural eastern border between Minnesota and Wisconsin.
2 things to do · 1 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Afton
Afton State Park
Established in 1969 this diverse and scenic State Park hugs the banks of the Saint Croix River. The park, which consists of nearly 1,700 acres, provides an excellent refuge from the more concentrated and suburbanized atm…
Afton Alps
Afton Alps is a ski resort with something for everyone. With almost 50 different runs (of varying degrees of difficulty) and an area designated solely for tubing, it won't be long before you will want to pull a Shaun Whi…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 83°F; winter lows dip to about 9°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and Aug. (climate data from nearby Saint Paul)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- MSP Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport / Wold–Chamberlain Field, Minneapolis — 22 mi away (major hub). Directions
- EAU Chippewa Valley Regional Airport, Eau Claire — 64 mi away. Directions
From the capital city of Saint Paul potential visitors can easily reach Afton by traveling nine miles east on Interstate 94 before heading south on Minnesota State Highway 95, which is also known as Saint Croix Trail. The town of Afton lies directly in the path of this road and is no more than three miles south of the Interstate 94 exit/entrance.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Afton State Park
- Lunch Selma's Ice Cream Parlour
- Afternoon Afton Alps
- Evening Current
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Afton was originally settled in 1837 by a French-Canadian voyageur. In the following decades Afton would become the home for a large concentration of Swedes and Germans. Today, Afton serves as one of the last stops in Minnesota before a traveler plunges into the harsh beauty of the Wisconsin countryside. It is a lovely community with nearly 3,000 individuals living inside the city limits.
Get in
From the capital city of Saint Paul potential visitors can easily reach Afton by traveling nine miles east on Interstate 94 before heading south on Minnesota State Highway 95, which is also known as Saint Croix Trail. The town of Afton lies directly in the path of this road and is no more than three miles south of the Interstate 94 exit/entrance.
Get around
The downtown area of Afton is compact enough to be easily traversable on foot. Still, as there is next to nothing in the public transit department access to a car is, like most of the United States, somewhat of a necessity. The only other option is to perhaps strap-on some Lance Armstrong spandex, brush the dust off your bicycle and take to the road. You will not be alone.
Do
Do Afton State Park
Established in 1969 this diverse and scenic State Park hugs the banks of the Saint Croix River. The park, which consists of nearly 1,700 acres, provides an excellent refuge from the more concentrated and suburbanized atmosphere of the inner-ring East-metro communities. With miles of trails, a plethora of campsites and year round access to the transcendent beauty of the Saint Croix River, Afton State Park is more than worthy of being integrated into the afternoon itinerary of any visitor to the Twin Cities area.
Buy
Eat
Eat Selma's Ice Cream Parlour
Old-fashioned ice cream parlor that has been around since 1913. Oldest ice cream parlor in the state
Drink
Drink Current
Healthy scratch cooking with locally sourced ingredients.
Sleep
Stay Afton House Inn
Stay safe
Afton is perhaps one of the safest and most benign communities that you will ever visit -with non-existent levels of violent crime and a warm and welcoming atmosphere that is exciting and refreshing. The most significant threat to public safety comes from the high level of deer that are native to the surrounding forests. It is not uncommon to have a nighttime drive interrupted by a shocking jolt of adrenaline due to these impish mammals suddenly appearing on the side of darkened road. Constant vigilance is strongly suggested during the night in order to avoid a costly accident.
Nearby
Hudson
City / town · 13 listings · 6 mi away
Bayport
City / town · 1 listings · 8 mi away
River Falls
City / town · 2 listings · 8 mi away
Woodbury
City / town · 7 listings · 9 mi away
Cottage Grove
City / town · 4 listings · 9 mi away
Prescott
City / town · 4 listings · 10 mi away
Stillwater
City / town · 13 listings · 11 mi away
Hastings
City / town · 1 listings · 12 mi away
My experience
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