If there’s one thing Minnesota is definitely not known for, it’s mountains. In fact, the highest point in Minnesota is Eagle Mountain, which has an elevation of 2,301 feet. Even though the sheer height of many peaks and lookouts in Minnesota aren’t too impressive, the views most certainly are. From the North Shore to the Mississippi Bluffs, we have some truly epic vistas to enjoy. Listed below are some of the best hikes in Minnesota for anyone who loves scenic views.

  1. Eagle Mountain

Wikipedia/MisterSquirrel~commonswiki The view from Eagle Mountain is undoubtedly one of the best in Minnesota, and how could it not be since it’s the highest point in the state. Eagle Mountain, West Cook, MN 55604, USA

  1. Moose Mountain

Wikipedia/Olismith72 Minnesota’s 9th tallest point, but one of the most spectacular, can be found on the North Shore near Tofte. It’s fun to visit in all seasons, but we’re partial to fall. Moose Mountain, Lutsen Township, MN 55615, USA

  1. Superior Hiking Trail Overlook

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources The overlooks on the Superior Hiking Trail at Tettegouche State Park are truly amazing with views of the surrounding lakes and mountains. Tettegouche State Park, 5702 MN-61, Silver Bay, MN 55614, USA

  1. King’s Bluff Overlook

Minnesota Department of The Natural Resouces The overlooks of the Mississippi River on King’s Bluff are stunning, and the hike is only one mile on this elevated trail. Great River Bluffs State Park, Kipp Drive, Winona, MN, USA

  1. The NE Overlook

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources This scenic view of the St. Croix River is accessible with a wonderful hike through the hills of Afton State Park. 6959 Peller Ave S, Hastings, MN 55033

  1. Inspiration Peak

Wikipedia/Amanda Su The highest point in Otter Tail County, this peak offers beautiful views of western Minnesota. Inspiration Peak, Leaf Mountain Township, MN 56315, USA

  1. Old Frontenac Overlook

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources At Frontenac State Park, there are plenty of epic views of Lake Pepin, but this high overlook in particular has one of the best. Frontenac State Park, 29223 County 28 Blvd, Frontenac, MN 55026, USA

  1. Barn Bluff

Flickr/Scott Costello This bluff over Red Wing has some of the most amazing Mississippi town views, and it’s definitely a local favorite. Barn Bluff, Red Wing, MN 55066, USA

  1. Mount Tom

Flickr/Greg Gjerdingen At Sibley State Park, this beautiful overlook is just a short hike away. 800 Sibley Park Rd NE, New London, MN 56273

What is your favorite hike in Minnesota? Let us know in the comments below.

Wikipedia/MisterSquirrel~commonswiki

The view from Eagle Mountain is undoubtedly one of the best in Minnesota, and how could it not be since it’s the highest point in the state.

Eagle Mountain, West Cook, MN 55604, USA

Wikipedia/Olismith72

Minnesota’s 9th tallest point, but one of the most spectacular, can be found on the North Shore near Tofte. It’s fun to visit in all seasons, but we’re partial to fall.

Moose Mountain, Lutsen Township, MN 55615, USA

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

The overlooks on the Superior Hiking Trail at Tettegouche State Park are truly amazing with views of the surrounding lakes and mountains.

Tettegouche State Park, 5702 MN-61, Silver Bay, MN 55614, USA

Minnesota Department of The Natural Resouces

The overlooks of the Mississippi River on King’s Bluff are stunning, and the hike is only one mile on this elevated trail.

Great River Bluffs State Park, Kipp Drive, Winona, MN, USA

This scenic view of the St. Croix River is accessible with a wonderful hike through the hills of Afton State Park.

6959 Peller Ave S, Hastings, MN 55033

Wikipedia/Amanda Su

The highest point in Otter Tail County, this peak offers beautiful views of western Minnesota.

Inspiration Peak, Leaf Mountain Township, MN 56315, USA

At Frontenac State Park, there are plenty of epic views of Lake Pepin, but this high overlook in particular has one of the best.

Frontenac State Park, 29223 County 28 Blvd, Frontenac, MN 55026, USA

Flickr/Scott Costello

This bluff over Red Wing has some of the most amazing Mississippi town views, and it’s definitely a local favorite.

Barn Bluff, Red Wing, MN 55066, USA

Flickr/Greg Gjerdingen

At Sibley State Park, this beautiful overlook is just a short hike away.

800 Sibley Park Rd NE, New London, MN 56273

The Land of 10,000 Lakes is full of beautiful places to hike. Here are some of the best places to hike in Minnesota; these under-rated state parks are true hidden gems for hikers!

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The OIYS Visitor Center

best hikes in minnesota February 25, 2022 Jennifer Young What are five of the most scenic hikes in Minnesota? Minnesota is filled with many scenic trails, including the five listed below. You’ll want to explore them all.

  1. Silver Creek Trail - Located in Jay Cooke State Park is Silver Creek Trail, a 3.4-mile loop trail that features a lake and is great for all skill levels. It’s mostly used for hiking, running, camping, and road biking. It’s also accessible year-round.
  2. Wolf Creek Falls Trail - Wolf Creek Falls Trail, which is located in Banning State Park, is a 1.5-mile, out-and-back trail that features a waterfall. It’s great for all skill levels and is best used from March until October.
  3. Snelling Lake Loop - Snelling Lake Loop is a 2.3-mile loop trail that’s located in Fort Snelling State Park. It features a lake and is mostly used for hiking. It’s also a trail that’s good for all skill levels.
  4. Gitchi Gummi Trail - Located in Gooseberry Falls State Park is Gitchi Gummi Trail, which is a 2.2-mile loop trail that features a lake. It’s primarily used for hiking and nature trips, and it’s best accessed from April until October.
  5. Eagle Mountain Trail - Eagle Mountain Trail is a 6.3-mile, out-and-back trail that’s located within the Superior National Forest. It features a lake and has a moderate level of difficulty, which means most people are able to hike it. The best time to hike this trail is from April until October. What are three kid-friendly hikes in Minnesota that are perfect for experiencing with the entire family? There are several kid-friendly hikes around Minnesota, and listed below are three of the best.
  6. Pine Loop Trail - Pine Loop Trail is a 1.7-mile loop trail that’s located in Frontenac State Park. It features a river, is great for all skill levels, and is mostly used for hiking, running, and nature trips.
  7. Loon Island Trail - Loon Island Trail is a 1.4-mile loop trail that’s located near Currie, Minnesota. It features a lake and is a wonderful trail for all skill levels.
  8. Big Spring Falls Trail - Located in Banning State Park is Big Spring Falls Trail, a 0.7-mile, out-and-back trail that features a waterfall. It’s good for all skill levels and is usually used for hiking, nature trips, and fishing. What are three easy hikes in Minnesota? There are several trails in Minnesota with different levels of difficulty. Three of the easiest trails are listed below.
  9. Fifth Falls and Superior Hiking Trail Loop - Fifth Falls and Superior Hiking Trail Loop is a 3-mile loop trail that’s located in Gooseberry Falls State Park. It features a lake, has an easy rating, and is best accessed from March until October.
  10. Pike Island Loop - Located in Fort Snelling State Park is Pike Island Loop, a 3.9-mile loop trail that’s great for all skill levels. It features a river and is accessible year-round.
  11. Shovel Point - Shovel Point, which is located in Tettegouche State Park, is a 1.2-mile, out-and-back trail that’s mostly used for hiking, walking, and running. It offers beautiful scenic views and is accessible year-round.

The OIYS Visitor Center

best hikes in minnesota

February 25, 2022

Jennifer Young

What are five of the most scenic hikes in Minnesota? Minnesota is filled with many scenic trails, including the five listed below. You’ll want to explore them all.

  1. Silver Creek Trail - Located in Jay Cooke State Park is Silver Creek Trail, a 3.4-mile loop trail that features a lake and is great for all skill levels. It’s mostly used for hiking, running, camping, and road biking. It’s also accessible year-round.
  2. Wolf Creek Falls Trail - Wolf Creek Falls Trail, which is located in Banning State Park, is a 1.5-mile, out-and-back trail that features a waterfall. It’s great for all skill levels and is best used from March until October.
  3. Snelling Lake Loop - Snelling Lake Loop is a 2.3-mile loop trail that’s located in Fort Snelling State Park. It features a lake and is mostly used for hiking. It’s also a trail that’s good for all skill levels.
  4. Gitchi Gummi Trail - Located in Gooseberry Falls State Park is Gitchi Gummi Trail, which is a 2.2-mile loop trail that features a lake. It’s primarily used for hiking and nature trips, and it’s best accessed from April until October.
  5. Eagle Mountain Trail - Eagle Mountain Trail is a 6.3-mile, out-and-back trail that’s located within the Superior National Forest. It features a lake and has a moderate level of difficulty, which means most people are able to hike it. The best time to hike this trail is from April until October. What are three kid-friendly hikes in Minnesota that are perfect for experiencing with the entire family? There are several kid-friendly hikes around Minnesota, and listed below are three of the best.
  6. Pine Loop Trail - Pine Loop Trail is a 1.7-mile loop trail that’s located in Frontenac State Park. It features a river, is great for all skill levels, and is mostly used for hiking, running, and nature trips.
  7. Loon Island Trail - Loon Island Trail is a 1.4-mile loop trail that’s located near Currie, Minnesota. It features a lake and is a wonderful trail for all skill levels.
  8. Big Spring Falls Trail - Located in Banning State Park is Big Spring Falls Trail, a 0.7-mile, out-and-back trail that features a waterfall. It’s good for all skill levels and is usually used for hiking, nature trips, and fishing. What are three easy hikes in Minnesota? There are several trails in Minnesota with different levels of difficulty. Three of the easiest trails are listed below.
  9. Fifth Falls and Superior Hiking Trail Loop - Fifth Falls and Superior Hiking Trail Loop is a 3-mile loop trail that’s located in Gooseberry Falls State Park. It features a lake, has an easy rating, and is best accessed from March until October.
  10. Pike Island Loop - Located in Fort Snelling State Park is Pike Island Loop, a 3.9-mile loop trail that’s great for all skill levels. It features a river and is accessible year-round.
  11. Shovel Point - Shovel Point, which is located in Tettegouche State Park, is a 1.2-mile, out-and-back trail that’s mostly used for hiking, walking, and running. It offers beautiful scenic views and is accessible year-round.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Minnesota is filled with many scenic trails, including the five listed below. You’ll want to explore them all.

  1. Silver Creek Trail - Located in Jay Cooke State Park is Silver Creek Trail, a 3.4-mile loop trail that features a lake and is great for all skill levels. It’s mostly used for hiking, running, camping, and road biking. It’s also accessible year-round.

  2. Wolf Creek Falls Trail - Wolf Creek Falls Trail, which is located in Banning State Park, is a 1.5-mile, out-and-back trail that features a waterfall. It’s great for all skill levels and is best used from March until October.

  3. Snelling Lake Loop - Snelling Lake Loop is a 2.3-mile loop trail that’s located in Fort Snelling State Park. It features a lake and is mostly used for hiking. It’s also a trail that’s good for all skill levels.

  4. Gitchi Gummi Trail - Located in Gooseberry Falls State Park is Gitchi Gummi Trail, which is a 2.2-mile loop trail that features a lake. It’s primarily used for hiking and nature trips, and it’s best accessed from April until October.

  5. Eagle Mountain Trail - Eagle Mountain Trail is a 6.3-mile, out-and-back trail that’s located within the Superior National Forest. It features a lake and has a moderate level of difficulty, which means most people are able to hike it. The best time to hike this trail is from April until October.

What are three kid-friendly hikes in Minnesota that are perfect for experiencing with the entire family?

There are several kid-friendly hikes around Minnesota, and listed below are three of the best.

  1. Pine Loop Trail - Pine Loop Trail is a 1.7-mile loop trail that’s located in Frontenac State Park. It features a river, is great for all skill levels, and is mostly used for hiking, running, and nature trips.

  2. Loon Island Trail - Loon Island Trail is a 1.4-mile loop trail that’s located near Currie, Minnesota. It features a lake and is a wonderful trail for all skill levels.

  3. Big Spring Falls Trail - Located in Banning State Park is Big Spring Falls Trail, a 0.7-mile, out-and-back trail that features a waterfall. It’s good for all skill levels and is usually used for hiking, nature trips, and fishing.

What are three easy hikes in Minnesota?

There are several trails in Minnesota with different levels of difficulty. Three of the easiest trails are listed below.

  1. Fifth Falls and Superior Hiking Trail Loop - Fifth Falls and Superior Hiking Trail Loop is a 3-mile loop trail that’s located in Gooseberry Falls State Park. It features a lake, has an easy rating, and is best accessed from March until October.

  2. Pike Island Loop - Located in Fort Snelling State Park is Pike Island Loop, a 3.9-mile loop trail that’s great for all skill levels. It features a river and is accessible year-round.

  3. Shovel Point - Shovel Point, which is located in Tettegouche State Park, is a 1.2-mile, out-and-back trail that’s mostly used for hiking, walking, and running. It offers beautiful scenic views and is accessible year-round.