Minnesota

Chester Creek is a prime example of how Duluth, MN values the many green spaces within its borders. The trailhead to Chester Creek is easy to find. Right on the corner of 14th ave east and 4th st, across from Burrito Union.  For those of you without another form of transportation, there is a bus ...

The hike to the top of Oberg Mountain is short and sweet. The trail starts off with a climb of roughly 230ft in about a half of a mile before getting to the top of Oberg Mountain. At the top of the climb the trail forks, you can go either way since the trail loops around the top. I suggest you go...

The Gitchi-Gami is a paved bike path that will eventually extend from Two Harbors to Grand Marais. As it currently stands (2015), there's a really great segment that starts in Gooseberry Falls State Park and runs all the way to the town of Beaver Bay (total of 16 miles one way). I chose to do a ...

The badlands of South Dakota meet the prairies of Minnesota in Blue Mounds State Park.Located in the extreme southwestern corner of Minnesota, Blue Mounds is one of the largest prairie parks in the state. A majority of the 1,500 acres of grassland sits atop a massive outcrop of Sioux quartzite ro...

Temperance River State Park is located near Schroeder, and parking can be found alongside Highway 61 for easy access to the trail following the riverbed. There are two main falls that shape the gorges -- one just north of the highway and the other below the footbridge that is just south of the hi...

Located smack dab in the center of farm country, the Jeffers Petroglyphs are something you wouldn't expect to find in southwest Minnesota. If you're in the area or just passing through, this is an interesting place to view petroglyphs that have been dated back to nearly 7,000 years ago.Beginning ...

The AdventureThe work is done. According to The Photographer’s Ephemeris (app.photoephemeris.com) the sun will rise at 7:11 AM. You grab your gear, a hot beverage, and set out for the open road. Scenic 61 follows the shore of Lake Superior all the way from Duluth to Two Harbors, MN. The drive up ...

Getting to the parking lot:From Highway 61, turn onto MN-1 and continue for just over 4 miles. Then turn left onto Lax Lake Road. The parking lot will be on your left after about 3 miles. You will see a sign with park maps/information. The Hike:From the parking lot, follow the gravel service roa...

Although there are dozens of ways to do this trip and I encourage you to explore, I suggest one hike that I think does a good job of introducing this areas to new visitors. If you are planning on snowshoeing like I suggest, try to get a day with a good amount of fresh snow (6+ inches). Packed sno...

This waterfall and observation deck are just a short walk from the west-most parking lot off of Grove Street. Just to the right of the same lot is a suspension bridge, as well. To stretch the legs, afterward, take one of the park's six trails to other scenic sites, like the Redwood Falls Bridge a...

George H. Crosby Manitou State Park is a lesser known park along Minnesota's North Shore. There are only backcountry sites, and it's not conveniently along the scenic road, so you really have to plan on going here. This makes it quiet, peaceful, and absolutely perfect for someone looking for a li...

Begin your hike behind the Visitor's Center and follow the path to the left towards the Prairie Loop Trail. The path quickly breaks out of the woods into an open prairie, looping through the tall grasses and burr oaks. The pond with its boardwalk is a great place to see Canada Geese, Tundra Swans...

A little known section of the Chippewa National Forest called “The Lost Forty" leads day hikers through some of the last remaining virgin red and white pine trees in Minnesota. These trees are 300-400 years old and measure between 22 and 48 inches in diameter. But even more incredible than the ag...

John A. Latsh State Park is directly off of Hwy. 61 a few miles north of Winona. Begin your hike at the parking lot, following the signs for the Riverview Trail. The hike itself is a short, but steep climb on a series of steps up the side of the Mt. Charity Bluff. Winding through verdant valley f...

Big Bog, an uninspired name for the 500 sq. mile bog in north central Minnesota (the largest in the continental United States), is sometimes called Minnesota's last true wilderness. The Boundary Water Wilderness is so remote, unvisited, and uninhabitable that all attempts at settlement failed - t...

Every Autumn, Superior National Forest in northern Minnesota designates some of it's best roads as official Fall Color Routes. These roads go deep into the forest, far from towns and cell phone reception to show off the best Minnesota has to offer. Peak season is short, only a week or two sometim...