Do you have a hiking bucket list this year?
Let me know what trails are on your list in the comments!
Do you have a hiking bucket list?
I love having goals, and my love of goals means there’s nothing more exciting than having a themed bucket list or two (…hundred). On a quest to complete at least 10 new trails this year, I’ve compiled a small but mighty list of my bucket list hikes for Minnesota.
Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or wanting to get into it, I recommend adding the following hikes need to your list, too! I’ll add photos of the hikes as we complete them!
Table of Contents
1. Oberg Mountain
Superior National Forest | Tofte, MN
2.3 miles | Loop Trail
Are you ready for a trail that offers both the most beautiful view of Lake Superior and one of the best fall views along the North Shore in Minnesota? On the Oberg Mountain loop, you’ll get to experience both the astonishing views of Lake Superior and one of the most picturesque lakes in the state, Oberg Lake. Visiting in the fall season gives you the most scenic fall color views in the Midwest.
One of the most popular trails in Minnesota, Oberg Mountain will not disappoint. Generally considered an easy-to-moderate hike, this trail is friendly to both beginners and advanced hikers alike.
Trailhead address: Superior Hiking Trail Oberg Mountain Loop, Tofte, MN 55615
2. Crosby Lake Inner
Crosby Farm Regional Park | St. Paul, MN
2.5 miles | Loop Trail
Would you have guessed that Minnesota has slot canyons? No need to go all the way to Moab if you don’t want to, there’s one right over in St. Paul!
To access the slot canyon, you’ll start at Crosby Farm Regional Park. The 2.5 mile Crosby Lake Inner Loop trail will lead you there. Plan for an hour or so, and feel free to bring the whole family (including your leashed four-legged friends)! Note the trail is pretty uneven and not ADA accessible.
Be sure to bring your binoculars and get ready for some awesome birding along the way.
Trailhead address: 2595 Crosby Farm Rd, St Paul, MN 55116
3. Kadunce River Wayside Trail
Grand Marais, MN
1.1 miles | Out and Back Trail
Minnesota also has gorges! Follow alongside (or on the riverbed in the fall when the water level is low) the Kadunce River around 1.1 miles to a stunning waterfall in northeast Minnesota. This may be a short hike, but the views and differential experience of hiking inside a gorge is rare in Minnesota and should be taken advantage of.
Seeing the varying foliage and vantage points within this hike (as there are two options: alongside and on the riverbed) will make this hike unforgettable.
Trailhead address: Superior Hiking Trail Kadunce Riv Spur, Grand Marais, MN 55604
4. Lost Forty
Chippewa National Forest | Wirt, MN
1.9 miles | Loop Trail
This beautiful interpretive trail will take you amongst Minnesota’s oldest trees. The Lost Forty is one of Minnesota’s best kept secrets. It’s a Scientific and Natural Area protected by the Minnesota DNR. The only reason this exists is because, during the logging era, a land surveyor accidentally missed adding these 40 acres to a logging planning map. Thus, the state’s oldest (over 240 years), biggest (115″ circumference), and tallest (120′ high) trees reside in the special area within the Chippewa National Forest.
This area is so special, I can’t wait to go back in time on this hike.
Trailhead address: 47.766335, -94.084050
5. Carver Rapids
Ney Nature Center | Henderson, MN
4.4 miles | Loop Trail
This 4.4 mile loop is a combination of pieces of all of the trails within Ney Nature Center, located in southern Minnesota. Here you can see historic farm grounds, forests, hills, and varying terrain, a river, and peaceful gardens.
I’m looking forward to this trail because we love history! It will be awesome to read all of the interpretive boards and view the historical farm buildings along the way.
Trailhead address: 28238 Nature Center Ln, Henderson, MN 56044
6. Sugar Loaf Bluff
Winona, MN
1.2 miles | Out and Back Trail
Located in the driftless region of southeastern Minnesota lies the town of Winona, home to towering Sugar Load Bluff. Due to its steep hike, this trail is considered moderate difficulty. The views from the bluff are spectacular and overlook both the city of Winona and surrounding picturesque valleys and hills.
I’m excited about this trail because my family and I went on this for my mom’s birthday when we were kids, and it was one of my favorite memories growing up.
Trailhead address: 825 E Lake Blvd, Winona, MN 55987
7. Silver Creek
Jay Cooke State Park | Carlton, MN
3.4 miles | Loop Trail
Jay Cooke State Park is arguably one of the most popular and beautiful state parks in the state of Minnesota. Silver Creek is Jay Cooke State Park’s designated hiking club trail, and is certainly one of its most popular as it takes hikers over the most beautiful suspension bridge for unforgettable views of the St. Louis River.
What draws me to this trail is its terrain diversity: from paved to over the suspension bridge, rocky near the river, and rolling hills.
Trailhead address: 780 MN-210, Carlton, MN 55718
8. Loon Island Trail
Lake Shetek State Park | Currie, MN
1.4 miles | Loop Trail
Lake Shetek State Park is located in southwest Minnesota. The Loon Island Trail starts with a sand causeway and loops around an island within the state park. This trail is considered easy due to its flat and consistent terrain. Be sure to bring swimming gear so you can hop in the beautiful lake after your hike!
I love that this trail will take you through a diverse landscape: sandy beaches, wooded forests, and by cattailed wetlands.
Trailhead address: 44.108503, -95.697676
9. Bass and Dry Lake Loop
Superior National Forest | Ely, MN
6.3 miles | Loop Trail
Located in the beautiful Superior National Forest in Ely, MN, is Bass Lake and Dry Lake. This trail offers beautiful views of pristine Minnesota lakes and rocky landscapes. This trail is considered to be moderate to strenuous, as there are many hills and rocky terrain, but note it’s worth the challenge to see the amazing views! Along the way, you’ll run into five scenic lookouts and three opportunities for a designated restroom.
What excites me about this trail is that you can take a dip in the water once you reach the waterfalls! And, as someone who is just recently getting into backpacking, there are three non-reservable sites along the trail to camp at: one on Dry Lake and two on Bass Lake, all within 0.5 miles from each other.
Trailhead address: 1548 Echo Trail, Ely, MN 55731
10. Dakota Trails Loop
Whitewater State Park | Altura, MN
4.2 miles | Loop Trail
Whitewater State Park is located in the southeast corner of Minnesota. Known for being a “bluffy” area of the state, hikes around here are some of the most scenic you’ll find in Minnesota. Being in bluff country also means the trails are typically a little steeper and challenging too.
What I’m most excited about with this trail is the diverse scenery to be experienced: overlooks, rivers, beautiful trees, limestone formations, and flora variety.
Trailhead address: 19041 MN-74, St Charles, MN 55972
Bonus: Kawishiwi Falls
Superior National Forest | Winton, MN
1 mile | Loop Trail
Love waterfalls too? You will LOVE the hike to Kawishiwi Falls in the Superior National Forest. It’s a short but sweet 1 mile mellow hike to view this spectacular and massive waterfall.
Trailhead address: 444 Fernberg Rd, Ely, MN 55731
Bonus: Superior Hiking Trail Sections
Northeast Minnesota
Thru-Hiking Trail
The Superior Hiking Trail is a scenic 300+ mile trail in northern Minnesota. Hikers have the option to complete the SHT by way of thru-hiking, section hiking, or day hiking. Hikes range anywhere from 4.8 to 11.8 miles, giving us a wide range of options to choose from.
The exciting part about having any section or day hike of the Superior Hiking Trail on this list is that the possibilities are endless! Oberg Loop, mentioned above, is part of the Superior Hiking Trail as well, but I’m really excited to continue researching and add another bit of the SHT to my list this year.
Are you doing any part of the SHT this year? Let me know where in the comments!
