Things to do / Travel Guide
Outdoor Sports and Recreation on the Lakes and Trails of Minnesota
Traveling in Minnesota, especially north of Minneapolis, means a lake and a pine forest are never far away. With over 10,000 lakes, travelers interested in canoeing, kayaking and fishing certainly have their choice. Biking and hiking trails are well developed, as well. Just don't be surprised when you pass a group with canoes on their back or a moose. In general, the terrain is mostly flat and the waterways are mostly calm. Popular outdoor sports destinations include:
- The Brainerd Lakes area, known as “Up North” to the weekend visitors from Minneapolis is the gateway to the lake region.
The Superior Hiking Trail along the ridge above Lake Superior. The trail extends all the way to the Canadian border, over 200 miles from its southern terminus north of Duluth (in Two Harbors) and is accessible at many points from Highway 61. Guided snowshoe hikes are run in the winter.
Interstate State Park for rock climbing.
Boundary Waters Canoe Area for a real wilderness experience.
Golf lovers will be happy to know that golf is very popular (in-season) around this region. There are many good course you can play, some quite reasonably prices. Brainerd Lakes is a popular golf destination.
Winter sports enthusiasts will find lots of winter in Minnesota, and a highly developed infrastructure to enjoy it. Unique to this region is the 20,000 mile network of snowmobile “highways” crisscrossing the state. Nordic is the preferred type of skiing, reflecting the heritage of many of the residents as well as the flat terrain.
Outdoor Recreation in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Visitors to Minneapolis can enjoy the outdoors without leaving the city limits. The downtown area is ringed by lakes and the lakes are ringed by bike paths and hiking trails. Canoes go in the lakes and fish come out. All this a few minutes from downtown.
Outdoor Recreation in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Minnesota's Arrowhead Region
Quite a distance from Minneapolis and almost everything else, the Arrowhead region of Minnesota is home to some of the best outdoor recreation that the state has to offer, including:
- The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), at the tip of the Arrowhead, has 1000 lakes and no roads. It is a true wilderness area, best explored by canoe or kayak. Wildlife is plentiful and the lakes present some of the best fishing in the country. Hikers and backpackers have the opportunity to go deep into the wilderness on multi-day treks.
- Lake Superior's North Shore which offers views of the largest freshwater lake in the world and the cliffs, waterfalls, lighthouses and forests that lead down to the lake. A chain of state parks along the North Shore include the most scenic waterfalls, hiking trails and campgrounds.
- Voyageurs National Park is quite remote and similar to the BWCAW, but motorboats are allowed and are quite popular.
Outdoor Recreation in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Minnesota area
Outdoor-Sports-Recreation
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness - Ely, Minnesota
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