Minnesota’s 11 Greatest, Top-Rated Hiking Trails

Another Free Minnesota State Park Day is coming up on Saturday, February 19th, which means it's time to plan a little hiking trip to one of the many gorgeous sections of Minnesota.

Minnesota has a lot of scenic beauty to offer, from rugged shorelines to lush forests to stunning bluffs and valleys.

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To see some of the best parts of Minnesota, venture out on one of the state's greatest hiking trails.

1. Silver Creek Trail, Jay Cooke State Park

Jay Cooke State Park is one of my personal favorites.

What this trail has to offer: Dramatic views of bedrock landscape exposed by the St. Louis River, CCC Swinging Bridge, mini waterfalls.

Address: 780 Minnesota 210, Carlton, Minnesota

2. Wolf Creek Falls Trail, Banning State Park 

What this trail has to offer: Sightings of the historic sandstone quarry ruins, Kettle River, Wolf Creek Falls.

Address: 61101 Banning Park Road Sandstone, Minnesota

3. Aiton Heights Fire Tower, Itasca State Park

What this trail has to offer: Bird's eye view of pristine lakes and old-growth forests.

Address: 36750 Main Park Drive, Park Rapids, Minnesota

4. Little Two Harbors Trail, Split Rock Lighthouse State Park

What this trail has to offer: Views of Split Rock Lighthouse, pebble shorelines, views of scenic Ellingsen Island, and never-ending sightings of the enormity of Lake Superior.

Address: 3755 Split Rock Lighthouse Road, Two Harbors, Minnesota

5. Superior Hiking Trail

This is Minnesota's crown jewel of hiking trails, as it stretches for 260 miles from Duluth to the Canadian border.

What this trail has to offer: Constant, breath-taking views of pebble beaches, jutting cliffsides, and shaded forest with numerous notable attractions along the way, such as Tettegouche State Park.

6. Eagle Mountain Trail, Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

What this trail has to offer: A strenuous but worthy hike to the highest point in Minnesota. Note: This one is not for the faint-hearted.

Address: Grand Marais, MN 55604

7. Glacial Pothole Trail, Interstate State Park

What this trail has to offer: Great views of the geological history of Minnesota and a glimpse into the well-known Bottomless Pitt.

Address: 307 Milltown Road, Taylors Falls, Minnesota

8. Riverview Trail, Gooseberry Falls State Park

What this trail has to offer: Stunning views of the upper, middle and lower falls on the Gooseberry River.

Address: 3206 US Hwy 61 E, Two Harbors, Minnesota

9. North River Trail & Prairie Loop, Afton State Park

What this trail has to offer: A getaway from bustle of city life, landscape that intertwines remnant and restored prairie valleys with wide-reaching river banks, scenic overlooks.

Address: 6959 Peller Ave S, Hastings, Minnesota

10. Snelling Lake Trail, Fort Snelling State Park

What this trail has to offer: Gravel walkways, excellent views of the floodplain forest and Lake Snelling, entrance to Picnic Island.

Address: 101 Snelling Lake Road, St. Paul, Minnesota

11. Sioux-Hustler Trail, Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

What this trail has to offer: Rugged terrain, serene lakes, numerous beaver dams and wildlife sightings.

Address: BWCA