Upper Midwest · North Woods to Lake Superior · Statehood 1858
Minnesota
State
Field Guide
Minnesota is the Land of 10,000 Lakes, and the real count is higher. It holds a wilderness of canoe routes, a lighthouse on a Lake Superior cliff, and the small stream where the Mississippi begins. These are three classics and one quiet corner.
Updated October 2026 · Written by artist Nick Scacco
Classic Experiences
01.
Northeastern Minnesota · Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
Paddle theBoundary WatersWilderness
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness covers about 1.1 million acres of lakes, forest and rock in Superior National Forest along the Canadian border. More than 1,000 lakes are linked by portages, and about 1,200 miles of canoe routes let paddlers travel for days without a road. Motorized use is tightly limited, and visits require a permit that often sells out months ahead for overnight trips. Day paddles from Ely and the Gunflint Trail are good first steps.
02.
North Shore · Split Rock Lighthouse State Park
Stand BesideSplit Rock Lighthouse
Split Rock Lighthouse stands on a 130-foot cliff above Lake Superior on Minnesota's North Shore. It was built after a 1905 storm wrecked ships on the lake and was first lit in 1910, then retired in 1969. Today it is a state historic site with a visitor center and tours of the lighthouse and keeper's house. The North Shore Scenic Drive past Gooseberry Falls and Tettegouche leads here from Duluth.
03.
Northwest Minnesota · Itasca State Park
Cross theMississippiHeadwaters
Itasca State Park is where the Mississippi River begins, flowing out of Lake Itasca as a knee-deep stream about 18 feet wide. Visitors can walk across the headwaters on rocks, a favorite photo for families. Established in 1891, it is Minnesota's oldest state park, with old-growth pine, lakes and bike trails. Leave time for the Wilderness Drive and for paddling Lake Itasca itself.
Little-Known Gem
Pipestone National Monument: theSacred Quarries of the Plains
Pipestone National Monument · Southwest Minnesota · Pipestone
Most visitors head north and skip the prairie of southwestern Minnesota. Pipestone National Monument protects quarries where Native Americans have dug the soft red stone called pipestone, or catlinite, for centuries to carve ceremonial pipes. Today, members of federally recognized tribes continue to quarry under permit, and visitors can walk a short loop trail past the quarries and a waterfall. The visitor center has pipe-carving demonstrations during the season.
Minnesota Travel Questions
What are the best places to visit in Minnesota outside the Twin Cities?
Three classics are the Boundary Waters, Split Rock Lighthouse on the North Shore, and Itasca State Park. A lesser-known stop is Pipestone National Monument in the southwest. The Boundary Waters and North Shore pair well for a long weekend, while Itasca and Pipestone each need their own trip.
Do I need a permit for the Boundary Waters?
Yes. Entry to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness requires a permit, and overnight permits for popular entry points can sell out months ahead. Reserve through the Forest Service early.
When is the best time to visit the North Shore?
Late May through October has the best weather for hiking and driving, and fall color usually peaks in late September. Winter is cold with snow and ice on the shore, and some trails and facilities limit access.