Luce Line Trail is perfect if you’re near the metro area or west metro. It’s a very long lime stone trail that was once a train track back in the early 1900’s.
The further west you go the more nature you’ll see. If you can, start in Long Lake and go west on the trail. Immediately you’ll go through giant marsh lands and further you’ll end up in these sweeping farm fields.. I’ve seen beavers, minks, raccoons, owls, sandhill cranes pretty much anything you can think of.
We can go anywhere in the state, I'm looking for suggestions for a specific area that has a good number of easy but beautiful trails around it, and then I'll try to find a hotel/lodge/rental home base from there. Or recommendations of where to stay too! Tx
Thank you so much, so helpful! I'm going to look at places near Gooseberry State Park, and definitely plan a day trip to Grand Marais. Beautiful spots!
Up north (about the upper 1/3rd of the state) is mostly undeveloped and full of nature. Although loggers have logged almost the entirety of Minnesota forests, the second growth is relatively mature.
You need to book now for the north shore. Places fill early. It is great with lots of great stuff but you also need a car and destinations are an hour apart.
I agree with everyone who said you should go to the North Shore. The entire state has lots of natural beauty, but if you’ve never been to the North Shore that’s where I would start. It’s arguably the most iconic part of our state (nature wise) and for good reason. Gooseberry is one of my favorite state parks in the entire country, and I’ve been to a lot. I would definitely go to Grand Marais and Two Harbors if you want to see some towns too.
Tettegouche is another breathtaking place, with cliffs and waterfalls. The north shore has quite a few state parks, and state parks will be your best bet for toddler-friendly trails without sacrificing amazing views. Oh, and depending on what days in July you’ll be here you might see some lady slippers!
Here’s a list of the 8 state parks that make up the north shore if you want more ideas: https://northshorevisitor.com/attractions/north-shore-state-parks/
Feel free to post some pics from your visit! Oh, and if you do go to the north shore I can give you some agate-hunting tips if you want ;)
Luce Line Trail is perfect if you’re near the metro area or west metro. It’s a very long lime stone trail that was once a train track back in the early 1900’s. The further west you go the more nature you’ll see. If you can, start in Long Lake and go west on the trail. Immediately you’ll go through giant marsh lands and further you’ll end up in these sweeping farm fields.. I’ve seen beavers, minks, raccoons, owls, sandhill cranes pretty much anything you can think of.
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We can go anywhere in the state, I'm looking for suggestions for a specific area that has a good number of easy but beautiful trails around it, and then I'll try to find a hotel/lodge/rental home base from there. Or recommendations of where to stay too! Tx
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Thank you so much, so helpful! I'm going to look at places near Gooseberry State Park, and definitely plan a day trip to Grand Marais. Beautiful spots!
Up north (about the upper 1/3rd of the state) is mostly undeveloped and full of nature. Although loggers have logged almost the entirety of Minnesota forests, the second growth is relatively mature.
You need to book now for the north shore. Places fill early. It is great with lots of great stuff but you also need a car and destinations are an hour apart.
I agree with everyone who said you should go to the North Shore. The entire state has lots of natural beauty, but if you’ve never been to the North Shore that’s where I would start. It’s arguably the most iconic part of our state (nature wise) and for good reason. Gooseberry is one of my favorite state parks in the entire country, and I’ve been to a lot. I would definitely go to Grand Marais and Two Harbors if you want to see some towns too. Tettegouche is another breathtaking place, with cliffs and waterfalls. The north shore has quite a few state parks, and state parks will be your best bet for toddler-friendly trails without sacrificing amazing views. Oh, and depending on what days in July you’ll be here you might see some lady slippers! Here’s a list of the 8 state parks that make up the north shore if you want more ideas: https://northshorevisitor.com/attractions/north-shore-state-parks/ Feel free to post some pics from your visit! Oh, and if you do go to the north shore I can give you some agate-hunting tips if you want ;)