Tag: Summer

Summer Bucket List: Things to do in Minnesota this Summer

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Get your adventure on this summer with these things to do this summer. Add a new adventure to your summer bucket list!

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Summer is back!! Get your summer bucket list out and ready for some amazing adventures! Make the most of the short Midwest summer and pack as much fun in our 3 warm months of the year.

Camp at a MN State Park

Pitch a tent or park the camper at a Minnesota state park for a summer night in the woods or on the prairie. The Minnesota State Park system has a wide array of camping options to suit all of it’s wilderness lovers. Everything from campground living to densely forested solitude. I prefer the latter. Here are a few options to help narrow down your search:

Campground Enthusiasts:

Solitude:

Hike

Hit the trails! Minnesota has no shortage of trails to choose from. Strap on your hiking boots for a winding adventure through Minnesota’s trail system. Trails are scattered all over the state. Minnesota has everything from thru-hike trails to day trip trails. The options are endless but here are a few to get your wheels turning:

Thru-Hike Trails:

  • Paul Bunyan State Trail (115 miles- Bemidji to Baxter
  • Superior Hiking Trail (300+ miles- Duluth to Canadian Border)

Day Trip Trails:

Go Chasing Waterfalls

Minnesota isn’t just 10,000 lakes, she hosts 100+ waterfalls as well. Go chasing waterfalls this summer and soak in their beauty. There are numerous waterfalls along the North Shore of Lake Superior, but there are also falls in other areas of the state. Read on in Waterfalls to See This Summer for more ideas on where to start your chase.

Explore the BWCA

Find your solitude on an unforgettable wilderness experience in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and Wilderness. One trip to this pristine wilderness will have you craving it’s beauty every summer. We make at least one trip to BWCA every summer. If you’ve been, then you know what I mean. If you’re new and looking for an adventure try Larch Creek to Clove Lake. Clove Lake is a great lake for beginners who want the whole wilderness experience with a short distance to travel.

Paddle Board

Rent a paddle board at a state park or bring your own and enjoy the smooth waters of a summer afternoon. There are twelve state parks in Minnesota that offer paddle board rentals. The going rate is about $10 per hour. Itasca’s rental is through Itasca Sports for $20 per hour or $100 per day.

State Parks offering paddleboard rentals:

  • Bear Head Lake State Park
  • Big Bog State Recreation Area
  • Camden State Park
  • Glacial Lakes State Park
  • Glendalough State Park
  • Itasca State Park *
  • Lake Shetek State Park
  • McCarthy Beach State Park
  • Myre Big Island State Park
  • Sakatah Lake State Park
  • Scenic State Park
  • Split Rock Creek State Park

Stay in a Camper Cabin

Camper cabins are available year-round at Minnesota state parks, but summer means more availability. Some cabins close during the winter due to lack of insulation and heat. During the summer months, all cabins are open and available for reservations. If camping isn’t your style, but you still want to be in the great outdoors, check out these camper cabins for a weekend getaway. Book them asap, they fill up fast!

Visit an Overlook

Climb high above the tree tops on an observation tower or high overlook. For a state that doesn’t have any real mountain peaks, there are some pretty amazing overlooks! Check a few of these off of your list this summer and challenge yourself to climb a fire tower. It’s way more exhilarating than it looks.

Fish For Trout

Southeastern Minnesota is a great area to fish for trout. Get your feet wet in the chilly spring-fed streams where the brown and brook trout make their home. These state parks are known for their awesome fishing streams.

Canoe/Kayak

Bring your canoe or kayak on one of Minnesota’s scenic water trails for an overnight camping adventure or day trip. Rent a canoe at a state park for a day. If you’re unfamiliar with canoeing or kayaking, learn how with Minnesota’s “I Can” programs.

State water trails are a great way to see the beautiful natural scenery of Minnesota from the water. Pick a state water trail and launch your canoe/kayak. Here’s a tip, park one vehicle at your designated end point and have someone drop you and your watercraft off at your starting point. This way, you won’t have to paddle against the current to get back to your vehicle. (Don’t miss your exit point!!)

  • St. Croix River
  • Minnesota River
  • Crow River (North or South forks)
  • Kettle River
  • Numerous sections of the Mississippi
  • More on Minnesota’s interactive map

There are numerous state parks offering canoe/kayak rentals across the state. Here are a few great ones to check out:

  • Bear Head Lake State Park
  • Glacial Lakes State Park
  • William O’Brien State Park
  • Lake Maria State Park
  • Lake Bemidji State Park
  • Crow Wing State Park
  • So many more can be found on the DNR website here…

Berry Picking

Mid-July and early August are peak blueberry times in Minnesota. July is National Blueberry Month, but the season still goes on a couple of weeks into August. Make a day of it by picking blueberries and making blueberry jam, blueberry pie, or toss some in a pancake!

You Pick Blueberry Locations (Check before you go, some locations may be closed for the season)

MN Arboretum

Visit the MN Arboretum in Chaska, MN. From spring to autumn this everchanging landscape is beautiful to see. With many different facets to the park, there is something for everyone. My grandma enjoys the tulips and other flowers of spring, while I enjoy the maples and evergreens.

Fun Fact: My grandma spent some of her childhood on a farm that is now part of the Arboretum. The house still sits just outside of the borders on the backside of the property. Her family tapped the maples in the park for syrup and they would guide the cows across the road to pasture. When we visit the park, we have our own personal tour guide and get to hear stories of the area from before the U of M Arboretum owned it.

Bike a Railroad Trail

Old railroads turned bike path are the best and easiest places to bike. They are smooth and surrounded by scenic places. The longer trails pass through towns offering a great chance to stop for lunch or an ice cream treat.

MN State Bike Railroad Trails:

  • Willard Munger (70 miles- Duluth to Hinkley)
  • Paul Bunyan (115 miles- Bemidji to Baxter)
  • Root River (42 miles- Fountain to Houston)
  • Heartland (27 miles- Park Rapids to Walker)
  • Cannon Falls (20 miles- Red Wing to Cannon Falls)

Visit a Splash Pad

You’ll likely hit the beach a few times this summer. Mix it up and find a splash pad for the kids. Splash pads are popping up all over the place as the new summer fun activity. Some are free, some have a small fee.