4.5Cascade River State Park(337 reviews) - Beautiful trails and waterfalls Spent 2-3 hours State Parks • Hiking Trails
Northshore park known for its breathtaking waterfalls.See more..
4.5Quarry Hill Nature Center(265 reviews) - Visiting the Quarry Hill Nature Center Monday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Hiking Trails • Educational sites
Enjoy the beauty and habitat of southeastern Minnesota by hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, or snowshoeing the meadows, flood plain and upland forests on the 8 miles of trails covering 329 acres. Park land features a former working quarry, the Rochester State Hospital Cemetery, and a 3 acre pond. The Nature Center offers interactive displays and exhibits of the area's wildlife and natural beauty including a 1,700 gallon native-fish aquarium. Public programs on Sunday's at 1:30 pm include cave tours, live animal programs and bird banding. Cross-country ski and snowshoe rentals available seasonally.See more..
All visits and appointments by reservation only, PLEASE! Located near Ely, Minnesota, a special little town known far and wide as the Gateway to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in the Superior National Forest, we provide exciting dog sledding adventures to individuals, families, and groups of all kinds. Our knowledgeable, seasoned guides accompany you as you drive your team of eager, friendly, sled dogs over scenic wilderness trails. That, combined with our thorough trip preparation, top-notch equipment, comfortable facilities, and convenient proximity to Ely, makes a Chilly Dogs Sled Dog Trip the perfect winter activity.See more..
Beautiful hike! Not very long or difficult and you are rewarded with beautiful views and a waterfall! Can be a bit muddy/slippery after a rain and you just need to watch your step over rocks and exposed roots. No scrambling or climbing necessary and no big hills though a few slight inclines/declines. Just watch your footing and you will be fine. We only saw a single other couple when we were there on a Monday late morning, so it was nice. There is a bench by the falls so you can relax and watch for a bit. Beautiful woods with interesting tree root formations growing on rocks to see along the hiking trail. Very enjoyable.See more..
4.5Paul Bunyan State Trail(128 reviews) - Scenic bike ride on tree lined path. Monday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent 1-2 hours Biking Trails • Hiking Trails
Fifty miles of trails to bike, hike, rollerblade and snow-mobile, depending on the season.See more..
Scenic paved trail running along the Cannon River from Cannon Falls to Red Wing, Minnesota, ideal for rollerblading, biking and hiking. Multiple access points. Please view our website for more details.See more..
Gorgeous views! The Big Falls trail is about 3 miles round trip, and was easily hiked by my 9-year-old. The facilities in the visitor center are very nice, clean restrooms and well stocked vending machines. The gift shop is nice and the employees at the front desk were very kind and helpful. Also plenty of tables to enjoy a picnic!See more..
4.5Bass Lake Trail(54 reviews) - Favorite Ely hike Hiking Trails
The perimeter hike is 6+ miles of rugged terrain surrounding Bass Lake and Dry Lake. The woods are full of mushrooms and berries. Most of the walk is shady, if rocky. Don’t wear flip flops for this hike!See more..
Viewing point from the Superior Hiking Trail.See more..
4.5Dakota Rail Regional Trail(37 reviews) - Enjoyable Biking Trail Especially West of Mound Spent 2-3 hours Hiking Trails
Terrific bike trail in the Twin Cities. I pedaled from Minnetonka Beach out to Mayer and back which was a 34 mile round trip ride. The trail is mostly flat with only occasional mild elevation change. Aside from the views riding across the bridge at Crystal Bay, I found the stretch from here to Mound to be less interesting as it travels behind business along Shoreline Drive with minimal views of the lake. However, the stretch west from Mound to Mayer was wonderful and gets you away from the city and out into some nice countryside. The stretch along Lake Waconia was my favorite part of the ride. Enjoyed finding some ice cream at Lost Lake Creamery in Mound near the trail parking at the end of my ride.See more..
This a moderate 5-mile hike. Lots of waterfalls and gorgeous views. It took us nearly three hours to complete the loop with a couple of short breaks to absorb the sheer beauty of the trail. See more..
Great trip! We arrived at approximately 4:30 pm and made our way towards the entrance of the trail. The trail was steep in certain areas, and contained a numerous amount of stairs, however the views at the top of the trail made the hike absolutely worth it. I would rate this trail as moderate. We were able to see picturesque views of the water and surrounding trees. Tip: I recommend spending 30 minutes here if you truly want to see everything.See more..
4.5Beaver Islands Trail(29 reviews) - Wonderful Walking Trail near my home Hiking Trails
Every Season, almost every day and sometimes twice a day.....I am so lucky to walk right out my door and enjoy this beautiful trail. Very clean, very friendly people walking, biking, roller blading for a natural workout. Beautiful wild flowers, gorgeous trees and singing birds too. See you out there !See more..
4.0Northland Arboretum(29 reviews) - Christmas Light display that is a must to see Monday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Spent 2-3 hours Hiking Trails
In addition to its gardens, the Arboretum offers hiking and cross-country skiing, picnic areas, bird watching, environmental education, family events, geocaching, and many outdoor activities.See more..
4.5Trezona Trail(29 reviews) - A beautiful trail! Hiking Trails
My husband and I stayed at the Lodge and stepped across the street to take a walk on the trail. It was winter, but seemed to be nicely groomed for cross country skiing and walking! Nice hard packed snow that wasn’t icy or slippery. We went the whole way around (about 4 miles) and really didn’t have too much trouble at all. Just a lovely path! See more..
Nice little walk around the National Monument. Peaceful and beautiful. Check out the historical petroglyphs. See more..
4.5Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve(25 reviews) - Great woodsy place for a hike Nature & Wildlife Areas • Parks • Hiking Trails
Great place for a hike. Hikes for about an hour around a pretty little lake, with sunset views. Some paths paved. Some dirt. But plenty wide and clear. Small hills. Good get away exercise place. Early December with no snow, yet they had made snow and had x-c skiers doing some of the loops. Impressive!See more..
5.0Silverwood Park(21 reviews) - Beautiful Spent 1-2 hours Bodies of Water • Parks • Hiking Trails
Lovely park. Great for birding, running, walking with family. Small play areas for kiddos. Lots of interesting sculptures outside. Nice cafe usually with an art display. Kayak rental in the summer. Popular with photographers and small weddings. Lots of good activities for families year round. Great horned owls have nested here for several years now in the spring.See more..
My husband and I kayak here just about twice a week when the weather is nice. Hardly anyone uses the lakes and channels during the week, so it's a fairly peaceful paddle. Lots of water birds...herons, egrets, an occasional muskrat...what's not to love about this place!See more..
5.0Root River State Trail(18 reviews) - Beautiful trail in excellent shape! Spent More than 3 hours Biking Trails • Hiking Trails
I rode this trail from Houston to Lanesboro. Mostly shaded except for a few miles just west of Rushford. Often by the river itself, nice and cool even on a hot day. The small towns are delightful—especially Rushford Depot Trailhead and the small town of Whalan. See more..
What a treat to be able to spend some time in deep contemplation on these beautifully maintained trails. One day was sunny and warm with deer, a wild turkey, many little songbirds and squirrels becoming active; the next day I was in the midst of an invigorating snow storm which transformed the temple, outdoor chapel and the prairie into a wonderland of white. Observing nature and opening my heart to the contemplation seeds along the trail, bring insights and wisdom ... a true spiritual experience. I would recommend a visit to the strikingly simple yet stunning Temple of ECK and even better if you can participate in a HU Chant. This simple prayer song is for anyone seeking a deeper connection with God and the Holy Spirit.See more..
This trail is located near Crane Lake, just across the Voyagaire Lodge. It's a 3 mile out and back trail rated as moderate. It follows the beautiful Vermilion River for most of it. And ends up with a gorgeous view over the falls. Bring plenty of mosquito repellent and long sleeves/pants.See more..
5.0Rainy Lake Visitor Center(16 reviews) - Must do! Spent < 1 hour Bodies of Water • National Parks • Hiking Trails
Of the 3 visitors centers in Voyageurs National Park, this one seems to have the most to offer. We intended to take a tour from Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center, but literally missed the boat because we didn't book early. Rainy Lake Visitor Center wasn't even on our to-do list, but because the next available boat tour debarked there, we made the drive. So dang glad we did. Ranger Eric was on staff in the center, & we learned a lot from him as we just chatted. Turns out, he was also our guide for our boat tour later that day. He was just dynamite! We also walked the short Ethno-botanical Garden trail, which is on-site. Don't overlook this Visitor Center! It's so worth a visit!See more..
5.0Baker Park Reserve(15 reviews) - A nice oasis close to the metro Beaches • Hiking Trails • Forests
We frequent this park a few times over the summer as it's close to our home. Our daughter who is currently four enjoys swimming at the beach. Also it's very nice to walk around on the paths. Currently a new playground is being built so we look forward to when that is finished. We've only walked through the campground, never stayed there. The campsites don't appear to be very private. I enjoy sitting on the picnic tables and taking in the lake views.See more..
4.0Red Pine Trail(15 reviews) - So worth seeing! Hiking Trails
Located in Itasca State Park, this path winds through large Norway pines.See more..
Great place to hike, visit nature and see the beautiful sunsets over Lemans Lake. First visit back after a long winter. Hoping within a few weeks and after the rain the reserve will begin its Spring growth.See more..
4.0La Salle Lake State Recreation Area(13 reviews) - Beautiful lake with trails and facilities Spent 1-2 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas • Parks • Hiking Trails
What a beautiful lake. We stopped here during our seven day 330 mile bike tour of central Minnesota. I was so grateful to have a restroom with pavilion. The walk up to the overlook of the lake was gorgeous. If you are a bird watcher, this is a great place to see and hear warblers.See more..
4.5Vermilion Falls(12 reviews) - Vermillion Falls Were Worth The Trip Hiking Trails
We made the 35 minute drive from Orr to Vermillion Falls stopping for lunch at the restaurant at Trails End Resort along the way (delicious). All the roads were in good condition and the signage made the route easy to follow. There was a short path to the falls with picnic tables along the way. You could stop to eat at the calmer area near the top of the falls, or overlooking the beautiful area at the bottom of the falls. The falls themselves had lots of water tumbling into a narrow gorge where the water was fast and turbulent. There was a viewing platform and steps. I wouldn't recommend stepping out onto the rocks, as they appeared to be slick and dangerous. There was only one other person at the falls when we were there and the area was beautiful and peaceful - except for the roar of the falls. We were glad we made the trip to see this area.See more..
We drove along Shingobee Island road. It is a very beautiful area. Stopped at an access area just before getting back on the highway and took a couple of pictures. If you time, just take a leisurely ride through here if nothing else.See more..
4.5Old Mill State Park(11 reviews) - Nice Historic State park & Campground Spent More than 3 hours State Parks • Hiking Trails
Beautiful sites, Hiking Trails, swimming, and bridge....also an historic cabin site and mill landmark. Had a great family visit to old MillSee more..
4.5Chester Woods Park(10 reviews) - Outstanding Chester Woods longtime return camper. Monday: 5:00 AM - 10:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours State Parks • Nature & Wildlife Areas • Hiking Trails
Chester Woods Park is located on the headwaters of Bear Creek in the rugged bluff country of Southeastern Minnesota. There are approximately 15 miles of primitive trails winding through a variety of inviting natural habitats in the undeveloped areas of the park, including fields full of native grasses and flowers, oak woods, bluff prairie, and savanna where you may see grasshopper sparrows, bobolinks, fox snakes, painted turtles, white-tail deer, wild turkeys, broad-winged hawks, wood ducks, mergansers, red-eye vireos, and veeries. A mile-long hard-surfaced trail links the campground, boat launch, fishing pier, and picnic areas. Motor vehicles and bicycles are restricted to improved roads and designated trails only. There is no entrance fee to the park. 1330-acre park 110-acre lake 50-unit campground and restrooms with showers 41 campsites with electrical hookup 9 non-electric campsites 2 camper cabins: the Oak cabin sleeps 5, the Maple cabin sleeps 6, both are handicap accessibleSee more..
We biked this trail on 3 different days, and never repeated a section of trail. The trail is smooth and relatively flat, however, the Shingobee extension is very hilly and windy. All trails went through dense forest and along lakes.See more..
3.5Echo Bay Trail(10 reviews) - Easy walk in the woods for exercise Spent 2-3 hours Hiking Trails
This is an easy, mainly flat loop hike in the woods. Bring bug spray. I’ve hiked this three times in early June and there have always been some mucky sections. You get one nice overlook view. I consider it a way to add variety to daily walks more than a hike.See more..
4.5Angleworm Lake(10 reviews) - Pictographs Bodies of Water • Hiking Trails
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness scenic lake which is an entry point for canoeing.See more..
What fun to tour the site with a volunteer guide. Learned so much and even located a relative on the CCC roster! Highly recommend this free experience.See more..
I am in my late forties, my son and I hiked into Locator for a day of fishing. The hike was long for me although my son (22) handled it with ease. My son and I caught lots of nice northern, several around 30" and had one 40 plus right up to the canoe. My son used a spinner for awhile and caught several very nice large mouth bass. Worth the hike. We canoed through several lakes and back during our stay.See more..
5.0Blue Hill Trail(8 reviews) - Nice walking trail Hiking Trails
Great trail to hike and walk your dogs. Very pretty and peaceful in the woods. Trails are well groomedSee more..
There are three different trails you can choose from. It isn't a rigourous as Blue Hill but I think Blue Hill has better scenery. I usually take the Marsh Trail because I like the bridge but I am not sure if it is still thereSee more..
Honeymoon bluff in Grand Marais begins inside the Grand Marais Municipal Campground. The trail is dirt and winds around the shoreline. Of course, you will enjoy amazing vista's of Lake Superior and you might see some wild life. Wear footwear for muddy walking. This trail always seems a bit damp. However it is a fairly easy trail and appropriate for all ages.See more..
Family told us to visit. Very old pines that were missed during the logging days. Now a protected forest to visit. Multiple trails to go on. Some appeared more rigorous. We were short on time so will return to be able to take a more extensive trail. Gorgeous!See more..
Excellent biking trail stretching for 10 miles. Perfect asphalt surface and well maintained. Winds it’s way through wooded area between Elm Creek Park Reserve and the Coon Rapids Dam on the Mississippi.See more..
5.0Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail(6 reviews) - Flat, beautiful, and well maintained trail in southern Minnesota. Biking Trails • Hiking Trails • Jogging Paths & Tracks
Really beautiful, flat, and long trail in southern Minnesota that runs from Mankato to Faribault. I went on a Friday morning, with my road bike, and the trail had plenty of room for all abilities of cyclists, walkers, and runners. Many of the communities along the path have rest stops as well as restaurants, shops, etc. You could easily make a day or multi-day trip out of this. Trail is well maintained.See more..
4.5St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park(6 reviews) - Accidental Find Monday: 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas • Parks • Hiking Trails
St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park is a 579-acre Regional Park on the wild and scenic St. Croix River. The rolling upland prairies, wooded ravines, and bluffs are a hallmark of this park, which fronts on 3,800 feet of shoreline along the St. Croix River, a nationally-recognized wild and scenic river route. Vehicle permits are required in this park. Park Facilities and Activities: ◦Basketball Court ◦Boat Launch (only suited for boats 19 feet or shorter) ◦Campfire Programs ◦Hiking Trails ◦Modern Camping ◦Picnic Pavilions ◦Play Area ◦Programs & Events ◦Tennis Courts ◦XC Ski TrailsSee more..
4.5Shooting Star State Trail(5 reviews) - great bike trail! Hiking Trails Great trail! Stop by Lake Louise Sate Park for a picnic or rest afterwards. Well maintained, beautiful summer meadows.See more..
