Spring Lake Overlook

Spring Lake Overlook sits at 855 feet along the Great River Road, facing 240 degrees. The land drops 169 feet within 600 meters of the overlook, giving the view some depth. The Dakota County Spring Lake Park Reserve Archery Trail lies to the west, 2.5 miles away at 799 feet elevation. The facing direction is roughly 30 degrees off due sunset alignment, so sunsets are visible from the overlook without being centered on it; on the June solstice the sun sets at 21:02, while on the December solstice it sets at 16:34. Saint Paul is 15.2 miles to the north-northwest, Bloomington is 19.5 miles west-northwest, and Minneapolis is 22.1 miles northwest. This overlook falls between Horseshoe Bluff and High Rock along the byway route. The combination of elevation and terrain drop off makes for an open outlook toward the west, with the archery trail as the identified feature in view.