Find 6 Bucket-List-Level Views in Minnesota Without Needing To Be an Expert Hiker

Minnesota is such a beautiful state that I could write a near-endless list of bucket-list-level views, and even if I narrowed it to those that don't require much effort to reach, I could still spend all day on it. So, I bit the bullet, and I narrowed it down to a half-dozen that I really love. I'm not claiming they're the best or even the most scenic in the state, but they're the views that I almost never pass up when I'm in the area. I think you'll like them, too.

1. Split Rock Lighthouse Overlook - Beaver Bay

The drive along the North Shore of Lake Superior is scattered with many incredible views that you can enjoy with little to no effort. From roadside waterfalls like Gooseberry Falls and those on the Beaver and Cross Rivers to the stroll out onto Shovel Point at the Tettegouche State Park rest area, you can revel in these vistas with little more than a short hike—if that. One that many folks seem to overlook (see what I did there?) is a pull-off that offers some of the best views of Split Rock Lighthouse you're going to get—without the need to hike, have a park pass, or pay an admission fee. Look for a blue sign with an arrow and the words "Wayside Rest" about a quarter of a mile before the main entrance to Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. Just pull in and enjoy the views!

2. Frontenac State Park - Frontenac

For gorgeous views of the Mississippi River valley in Minnesota's Bluff Country, head over to Frontenac State Park, between Red Wing and Lake City. From the park's main entrance, just follow the road to the picnic area at the top, and you'll be treated to an incredible vista out over Lake Pepin—the widest point on the entire river—to the bluffs on the Wisconsin side. You can reach three designated overlooks with a short stroll from the parking area along a paved pathway.

3. Minnehaha Falls - Minneapolis

Folks in the Twin Cities are also fortunate to have many wonderful, easily accessible views right here in the Metro. I think the most iconic—and one of the easiest to enjoy—is Minnehaha Falls. The waterfall is beautiful in any season, and you can reach it with a short walk from the parking area, along a paved pathway. If you're feeling a bit more adventurous, take the path down along the creek for views from the base of the falls. It's still a short walk, but the trail is a bit more rugged, and there's some elevation gain on the hike back up.

4. Skibo Vista Scenic Overlook - Hoyt Lakes

There's an elevated overlook on the Iron Range in the middle of the Superior National Forest that offers some truly exceptional views out over the Northwoods of Minnesota and the Laurentian Divide. From the top of Skibo Vista Scenic Overlook, you can see as far as 30 miles on a clear day. It's particularly beautiful in the autumn—and all you have to do is drive up to the top.

5. Gneiss Outcrops SNA - Granite Falls

The views out over the Minnesota River valley from Gneiss Outcrops SNA near Granite Falls are sweeping and beautiful. However, the fact that you reach this vista via a short walk across some of the oldest exposed rocks on the planet—as old as 3.6 billion years—makes the entire experience sublime. There's not really an official trail or parking area, as with most SNAs, but this stop definitely belongs on your bucket list.

6. Susie Islands Overlook - Grand Portage

Between the village of Grand Portage and the Canadian border, there's a pullover along scenic Highway 61 that offers what, I think, is one of the most incredible views in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Looking out over the heavily forested Lake Superior shoreline, you're treated to a panorama of Wauswagoning Bay, Hat Point, and the Susie Islands. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Isle Royale, and all you have to do to enjoy it is step out of your car.

These are just a handful of the many accessible, bucket-list views in Minnesota. What are some others that you enjoy? We'd love to hear about your favorites over on our Nomination page. When you're ready for your next adventure in the Bold North, be sure to check out Only In Your State’s itinerary planner for a little extra inspiration.