Did you know that Minnesota has 67 state parks? That doesn’t even count our national parks, recreation areas, state trails, or national and state forests. Needless to say, Minnesotans have a whole lot of outdoors to discover. And the best way to experience the outdoors? By taking a hike. At less than 5 miles each, these 10 easy Minnesota hiking trails are a perfect way to see the state without going too far off the beaten path. This list offers some of the best hikes in Minnesota.

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Have you hiked any of these trails? Are you itching for even more great Minnesota hiking trails? Check out our previous article of 16 more of the best hikes in Minnesota for more.

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Best Hikes in Minnesota

What makes these trails some of the best hikes in Minnesota?

  • These trails are scenic and diverse in their terrain offering a wide range of experiences for the nature lover.
  • They’re all five miles or less making them kid-friendly hikes in Minnesota that are accessible to families.
  • Within this list alone you’ll find rushing waterfalls, staggering cliffs and rock formations, peaceful wooded strolls, and historic bridges. You can experience a world of landscapes without ever leaving the state.

Why are so many of these hikes in state parks?

  • There are 75 state parks in Minnesota and recreation areas and so many of them are tucked away in hidden pockets of the state, unknown to lots of hikers.
  • These rich natural spacious are precious in our technology-centric contemporary world and we wanted to illustrate how many varied opportunities there are to enjoy them.
  • These spaces aren’t just wonderful for hiking, though that’s a big draw, many of the state parks mentioned in this article also offer camping, picnicking, boating, bird watching, and other outdoor leisure activities.

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