Finding privately owned recreational land along the Vermillion and Mississippi River backwaters this close to Hastings is not an everyday occurrence. This 26.33+/- acre Dakota County property offers a heavily wooded setting, approximately 950+/- feet of shoreline, and is directly adjoining Gores Pool #3 Wildlife Management Area.

Located just southeast of Hastings, the property lies along the backwaters of the Vermillion River as it approaches the Mississippi River. Water, timber, and surrounding public land combine to create a property focused squarely on recreation. Whether your interests include deer hunting, fishing, ice fishing, wildlife viewing, boating, canoeing, kayaking, or simply having a private place to spend a weekend outdoors, there are several ways to enjoy this land throughout the year.

Dakota County has advised the seller that it considers the property nonbuildable for a habitable structure under current conditions and regulations. Depending on the season and ground conditions, there are multiple areas where an owner could set up a camper or tent and use the property as a recreational base. Imagine arriving on a Friday afternoon, setting up the camper, getting a fire going, and spending the evening along the water before heading out to hunt or fish the next morning.

Approximately 950+/- feet of shoreline provides a substantial amount of waterfrontage. The parcel also includes land across the water, adding an interesting dimension to how the property can be used. Depending on water levels and ground conditions, a boat, canoe, or kayak can be launched from the property to access different portions of the backwaters for hunting, fishing, and exploring. A DNR public boat launch immediately adjacent to the property provides convenient access to the surrounding backwaters and river system.

Hunters should appreciate the heavy timber and location along a major river and backwater corridor. The wooded acreage provides cover and habitat for whitetails and other wildlife, while the property directly adjoins Gores Pool #3 Wildlife Management Area and its surrounding public habitat. As with any hunting property, wildlife use and hunting success will vary by season and conditions, but the combination of private timber, water, and neighboring public land creates an appealing setup for someone looking for a recreational base in this part of Dakota County.

Fishing and water recreation add another component. Launch a boat from the shoreline or slip a canoe or kayak into the backwaters and spend the morning exploring the Vermillion and Mississippi River system. When winter conditions allow, these backwaters have also long been known locally as a great ice fishing spot, adding another seasonal use to the property. From open-water fishing and paddling to winter ice fishing, the water provides recreational opportunities throughout much of the year.

There is also something to be said for simply owning a place where there is no house to maintain and no elaborate setup required. Bring the camper, lawn chairs, fishing equipment, or hunting gear, and spend some time outside. Morning coffee beside the camper, an afternoon on the water, and an evening around camp can all be part of a weekend here, yet Hastings is close enough for supplies, restaurants, and other conveniences.

The property directly adjoins Gores Pool #3 Wildlife Management Area, a large public wildlife area associated with the Mississippi and Vermillion River floodplain. This surrounding landscape consists largely of floodplain forest, marshes, islands, and backwater habitat, and adds considerably to the recreational character of the immediate area.

Development potential is limited. Dakota County has identified approximately 0.62 acres within the mapped 0.2% annual-chance flood area as the only portion where construction could potentially be considered without a FEMA map revision. Ravenna Township has advised that a standalone accessory structure is not permitted without a dwelling, although certain business uses may be considered through the Township's conditional use process. Buyers should independently verify any intended use with Dakota County and Ravenna Township.

Spend the weekend with a camper, hunt the timber, launch a boat, paddle into another section of the property, ice fish during suitable winter conditions, or simply sit along the shoreline and watch the river bottom come alive. For someone looking for a manageable-sized recreational property with waterfrontage and access to a much larger public-land landscape, this tract offers a distinctive opportunity just southeast of Hastings. Give Bob a call to schedule your private showing.