Outdoor Adventures
Explore All Outdoor Adventures
Discover Minnesota's Great Outdoors
Minnesota was made for outdoor adventures, and you can have yours fast or slow. With more than 10,000 lakes, immense forests and rugged bluffs, Minnesota is an exciting outpost for outdoor lovers of all kinds. Go sea kayaking on the largest of the Great Lakes, hike rugged trails to breathtaking overlooks, bike on scenic paved trails, climb a frozen waterfall or buzz over 900 miles of ATV trails. In winter, make tracks on more than 22,000 miles of snowmobile trails, strap on some skis or mush your own dogsled for the adventure of a lifetime.
Adventure on the Water
Home to the headwaters of the mighty Mississippi, the sparkling shores of Lake Superior and well over 10,000 lakes (11,842 to be exact), Minnesota beckons boaters, anglers, paddlers and other water lovers. From exploring the Boundary Waters by canoe to stand-up paddleboarding in the Twin Cities, this is a place where water adventures flow.
A misty Ely morning on the water / Joe Baumann
Mark Arnesen shows off a big northern pike he caught while ice fishing on Lake of the Woods / Mark Arnesen
Accessible primarily by canoe, the Boundary Waters is one of America's most remote and cherished wilderness areas / Paul Vincent
Adventure on Land
Thousands of square miles of enchanting wilderness cover Minnesota, and much of it is protected federal or state land. Hike to an awe-inspiring waterfall, zoom across snowmobile or bike trails, go wildlife spotting in one of the state’s wildlife refuges or go camping under the stars. Countless adventures in nature await.
Stargazing at the Boundary Waters / Paul Vincent
Snowshoeing Whitetail Woods, Farmington / Paul Vincent
Pedal through Minnesota's Bluff Country on the scenic Root River State Trail
A couple watches the northern lights at Gooseberry Falls State Park / Travis Novitsky
Two mountain bikers take in the scenic Cuyuna landscape / Micah Kvidt
Hiking Honeymoon Bluff in Grand Marais / Micah Kvidt
Father and son fishing on Gull Lake
Campsites in the Boundary Waters include a fire pit grill for all your camp kitchen dreams / Gary Hamer
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