Minnesota

Beth Lake is part of the "Lady Chain" of lakes in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. It's secluded, serene and worth the trip, especially if you're up for an afternoon of cliff jumping.You can reach Beth Lake in half of a day, assuming you set out in the morning and are efficient with your time. But...

The best part of Rifle Lake is how remote it is. There's no quick way to find this small, secluded lake in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. The lake supports just one campsite and is less than a half-mile long, according to rook.org. It is also part of the Rifle/Bridge Loop, which is a good option...

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 ...

One of the trailheads for this hike begins at Temperance River State Park. Parking can be found alongside Highway 61. The Superior Hiking Trail passes through this park and this is the trail you will follow to reach Carlton Peak. The trail follows the Temperance River and is relatively flat until...

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...

This moderate hike takes you to the highest point in Minnesota, at all of 2,301 ft in elevation. The first part of the hike, which runs along Whale Lake, is a gentle upwards climb. You gain most of the hike's elevation in the final push to the top, within the last mile of the hike. Enjoy the view...

At the Headwaters Trailhead there is a visitor center, bathrooms and a large interactive station for kids and adults to learn interesting facts about the Mississippi and the history of the area. The hike itself is just over a mile and completely flat. The trail follows the small Mississippi River...

Getting There:The entrance to St. Croix State Park is located 15 miles east of Hinckley, Minnesota on Highway 48. It is another 5 miles to the Park Office.The Paved Bicycle Path:The path is 5.5 miles long one-way and runs from the campground to Lake Clayton Beach Picnic Area. Be sure to stop at...

The Kadunce River provides visitors with several waterfalls and rapids in the summer, and when the river freezes over in the winter, snowshoeing up the canyon becomes a possibility. The Kadunce River is located just north and east of Grand Marais on Highway 61. There is a pull-off parking lot on ...

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...

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...

Begin your kayaking tour at the Northshore Mining Access (http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/kayaking/lswt_map2.pdf) in Silver Bay, right after you pass the Northshore Mining facility. From here, begin paddling north towards Palisade head. The paddle from the launch to Palisade Head is just over 2...

This beautiful, green hike takes you along Beaver Creek, as it winds through a lush gorge within the bluffs. Park at the entrance to Beaver Creek Valley State Park, where the park ranger can direct you to the trailhead. Here is a helpful map of the park.

From Hwy 61 in Lutsen, you'll turn on Caribou Trail (Hwy 4). You'll drive about 4 miles and turn right for the public boat launch area. There will be a small parking area on your left before the boat launch. This trail is apart of the Superior Hiking Trail. Follow the short little trail up to the...

The trail to Kawishiwi Falls begins at the parking lot and winds through a wooded trail with minimal elevation gain. There are several different vantage points of the falls that are accessible from the trail (above, below, and from the side). The trail is also part of the portage between Garden a...

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...