The 5 Best Outdoorsy Towns To Explore in Minnesota

The Land of 10,000 Lakes has been my home for four decades now, and my favorite part of living here is the near-infinite potential for year-round outdoor adventures, including everything from hiking and paddling to mountain biking and rock climbing (which I’ve tried but am, admittedly, not good at). Whatever your plan, though, you’re going to need a base camp, and for sheer range of options, you’re not going to do much better than these five outdoorsy towns in Minnesota.

1. Ely, Minnesota

You'll find Ely at the literal end of the road (state road, anyway) just south of the Canadian border. I would argue that Ely is the undisputed wilderness capital of the Midwest. It's the main gateway town for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA), making it a dream destination for backcountry paddlers. You can rent a canoe from one of the many local outfitters lining Sheridan Street and disappear into a million acres of interconnected, motor-free lakes—with the appropriate permits, of course.

If you prefer to keep your feet on solid ground, Ely is surrounded by the Superior National Forest, as well as several state and local nature areas. Hike the quiet, secluded trails at nearby Bear Head Lake State Park or explore the rugged terrain and historic shoreline at Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park. Ely is easily one of the top outdoor destinations in the state for serious nature lovers. Pro tip: go in the early fall to avoid the crowds and the bugs while the weather is still mild.

2. Luverne, Minnesota

If you think western Minnesota is nothing but farmland, Luverne will quickly prove you wrong. This town is the gateway to Blue Mounds State Park, home to a dramatic, mile-long cliff line of pink Sioux quartzite that rises up from the tallgrass prairie.

This unique geology makes Luverne a draw for rock climbers who come to traverse the park's 100-foot walls. If you don’t climb, the park offers excellent hiking and cycling trails that wind through the prairie and on top of the outcropping, affording a chance to spot the park’s resident bison herd. With so much to do here, it's one of my favorite small-town state parks in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

3. Cloquet, Minnesota

Cloquet, if you ask me, offers a Goldilocks location. It’s just minutes from Jay Cooke State Park, all the urban adventure of Duluth—including Spirit Mountain ski area—the Fond Du Lac and Cloquet Valley State Forests, and the Sax-Zim Bog. It also has a decent mix of accommodations, eateries, and amenities that you won’t find in smaller nearby towns. Cloquet is a great base camp for whitewater paddling on the St. Louis River. Local outfitters guide rafts through the river’s rugged lower stretches, which boast Class II and III rapids for a serious Midwest adrenaline rush.

Farther downriver, Jay Cooke State Park is home to miles of wooded trails, including a southern stretch of the Superior Hiking/North Country National Scenic Trail, as well as its iconic swinging suspension bridge suspended over the river gorge. In the winter, the area draws crowds of wildlife photographers, primarily for the boreal species that winter in the Sax-Zim Bog, which is globally recognized as one of the best places to spot great gray owls in the wild.

4. Winona, Minnesota

Winona is surrounded by the towering limestone bluffs and wide Mississippi River channels of southeast Minnesota's Driftless Area. The topography here is anything but flat, making it a hotspot for vertical adventures. Climbers flock to Sugar Loaf, the rocky prominence towering above the town, while hikers challenge their legs on the winding bluff trails at Great River Bluffs or the almost-600 stairs at John A. Latsch State Parks. Many recreation areas within the sprawling nearby Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest also offer equestrian, off-roading, and mountain biking trails.

Back at water level, the Mississippi River backwaters create a maze of sinuous sloughs perfect for kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. The blend of hiking, trail riding, western-style climbing, and winding riverways makes Winona one of the best outdoor adventure hubs in Minnesota.

5. Grand Marais, Minnesota

Grand Marais feels less like a Midwestern village and more like a rugged, remote small town on the New England coast. Wedged between the rocky shores of Lake Superior and the Sawtooth Mountains, it’s the perfect base camp for exploring the North Shore, the Gunflint Trail, and the eastern reaches of the BWCA.

Hikers and backpackers use the town as a resupply hub for trekking the Superior Hiking and Border Route Trails—both segments of the North Country Trail—while day hikers, cyclists, and cross-country skiers head to the nearby trail network at Pincushion Mountain. A short drive up the highway brings you to the roaring waterfalls of Cascade River State Park, or you can head up to Judge C.R. Magney State Park and make the hike to see the mysterious Devil’s Kettle waterfall.

No matter what kind of outside adventure you're looking for, you won't go wrong setting up your base camp in one of these charming small towns in Minnesota. So choose your adventure, grab your gear, and hit the road.