Minnesota Vacation Ideas
Boasting over 90,000 miles of shoreline, about 10 million acres of public land open to hunting, more than 100,000 acres of available camping in 66 extraordinary state parks Minnesota is a wilderness adventure waiting to happen.
Known as the "Land of 10,000 Lakes", Minnesota is home to Lake Superior, the largest lake in the world and also the cobalt blue source of America's extraordinary Mississippi River.
Countless lakes, streams, rivers, and forests of evergreen and hardwood cover an enormous portion of the state allowing great hunting for deer, waterfowl, grouse, pheasant, and all manner of large and small game to be found thought the state.
Camping And Hiking
Minnesota offers, many with all the facilities of a first-class resort. Whether you prefer a secluded tent, a pop-up trailer or a luxurious RV, Minnesota has equipped itself to take care of you.
Thousands of miles of hiking through every terrain imaginable, 200 miles of rocky ridges and waterfalls of Lake Superior's North Shore will photograph well and provide many stories.
State parks alone provide more than a thousand miles of trails through various types of countryside.
There is an extraordinary variety of trails for hiking and biking, Minnesota's extraordinary 66 state park system has nearly 250,000 acres of prime recreational land for you to explore the way you want.
Water Sports
With more shoreline than California, Florida and Hawaii combined it should come as no surprise that Minnesota gave birth to water skiing.
Sailing, Wakeboarding, Windsurfing, Jet skiing, Boating, Scuba Diving and adventure kayaking and don't forget world-class canoeing in the million-acre Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness are all great ways to spend your precious vacation.
Fishing
Roaming these waters are some of the finest game fish. Large and Smallmouth Bass, Trout, Panfish, Pike, Muskies, and the mighty Walleye will tug on your line and give you a fight to talk about back home.
Anglers can take limits of walleye or Panfish anywhere in the state. Trophy-sized pike in the cold northern waters will put up a fight. Fly fishing for trout on the southeastern streams is a popular venture also, but if lazing around in a boat to wrestle lake trout on Lake Superior is more to your liking you can do that too.
Rock Climbing
Minnesota has many great rock climbing areas. The North shore of lake Superior has some muti pitch routes, in the middle of the prairie in southwestern quadrents there is about 2 miles of outstanding Quartzite cliffs at Blue Mound state park. On the banks of the Mississippi in Red Wing there is over 130 sport routes at Barns Bluff.
At night Minnesota is a great opportunity to teach yourself and the children about the planets and the night sky. One of my favorite things to do is look for constellations and for just a few dollars you can pick up a star finder. It's not hard to do and it is a lifetime of knowledge and fun for everyone.
Minnesota Winter
Beautiful, dramatic landscape of glistening snow, frozen lakes, and frost-glazed pines such as Voyageurs National Park are great winter havens. There are few places to experience a winter vista largely free of roads and buildings.
Along Minnesota's northern border, Voyageurs N.P. is a winter trip for every Snowmobiler. Voyageurs has 110 miles of groomed trail and an 11-mile, ungroomed Chain of Lakes Trail that explores the interior of the Kabetogama Peninsula wilderness.
Cross-country skiers can enjoy the 6-mile Black Bay trails. There are many loops through pine and birch forest to be seen.
Voyaguers lakes are very popular for ice fishing, with ice house rentals and guide services available from several area resorts open during the winter.
Several wolf packs roam in the park, and there's a chance of spotting one out on the ice or hearing them howl at night.
Bird Watching
Without a doubt, a popular destination for both avid birders and casual wildlife watchers.
Minnesota has some unique opportunities to see some very special birds any time of the year.
Minnesota provides a diverse habitat for more than 420 documented bird species. Its prairies, hardwood and pine forests, lakes and wetlands provide a humble place for our winged friends to live.
There for the viewing you don't have to be an expert birder to find them.
You will find one of the largest populations of Bald Eagles and Loons in the country. Sandhill Cranes, Prairie Chickens, Trumpeter Swans, Indigo Buntings, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Hawks, Owls and migrating Warblers are just a few species that you will find.
You can watch for eagles diving for fish or perched in branches of trees along the river.
Minnesota has something for every outdoorsman and the not so outdoorsman as well. You should really take a trip to see this beautiful land.