Top 10 Camping Places to Go in Minnesota

Camping Gems - Places to Go in Minnesota Voyageurs National Park Nearly 200 years ago, voyageurs paddled birch bark canoes full of animal pelts and trade goods through this area on their way to Lake Athabaska, Canada. Today, you can explore the park--but only by water.  This  is a water-based park that's only accessible by canoe, kayak, or motorboat.  You'll find breathtaking beauty at Voyageurs. Superior Hiking Trail    This 205-mile long trail winds through some of the most beautiful country in northeastern Minnesota.  Trailing  from Two Harbors, Minnesota to the Canadian border, the trail is considered to be one of the best in the country.  Dogs are permitted on the trail, but they must be on a leash.  Lake Minnetonka    Looking for outstanding bass fishing?  Head to 14,310-acre Lake Minnetonka (near Wayzata).  This scenic lake is actually a series of small lakes connected by short canals. It's a great place to take a boat cruise, build a sand castle, or tour the local art galleries and restaurants. Minneapolis/St Paul The glorious Twin Cities have plenty to offer, from great cultural events to some of the best metro hiking and biking you'll find anywhere.  Head to the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theater to see a live taping of A Prairie Home Companion, tour the Minneapolis sculpture park, or take a ride on the wooded trails at Battle Creek Regional Park. Gooseberry Falls State Park    Spectacular waterfalls, a dramatic gorge, and great hiking trails are what set Gooseberry Falls apart.  This gateway to the north shore has stunning views of Lake Superior.  The park offers excellent hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and photography. Mille Lacs In a state that's known for its ten thousand lakes, this one is a stand-out.  Pronounced as one word (mill-ACKS), this lake offers superb fishing for walleye and musky, great snowmobiling and hiking, and plenty of coves for boating and canoeing.  This is also a hotspot for ice fishing in the winter.  Mille Lacs is north of the Twin Cities. Mississippi National River & Recreation Area The Mississippi National River and Recreation Area includes 72 miles of the Mississippi River stretching from the cities of Dayton and Ramsey to just south of Hastings. This includes dozens of parks, some of which are right in the Twin Cities. Take a ranger-led bike ride, hike along a river trail, snap a photo, or volunteer to help keep the river clean and healthy. Great River Bluffs State Park With towering bluffs hanging over the Mississippi River, this is a tremendous spot for recreation.  Bring your binoculars and look for waterfowl, eagles, and hawks in this major flyway.  You'll hike through oak-hickory and maple-basswood forests, pine plantations, fields, and goat prairies.  The park is home to ruffed grouse, wild turkeys, coyotes, and many species of songbirds. It's located near the Wisconsin border. North Country National Scenic Trail This remarkable trail connect seven northern states and more than 4,600 miles of communities, forests, and prairies. Running from New York to North Dakota, this phenomenal trail will (when completed) be the longest off-road hiking trail in the country. The Minnesota leg runs through scenic Arrowhead Country. Duluth Set on the shores of Lake Superior, the hilly bluff-town of Duluth is a must-visit. With quiet forests, miles of lakeshore, and spectacular views everywhere you look, this is an outdoor-lover's paradise. Don't miss winter sports like cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.