My Perfect Summer Road Trip Route in Minnesota

We're starting our road trip at Pipestone National Monument, an incredible historic, cultural, and geologic site in southwestern Minnesota. Comprising an outcropping of pink Sioux quartzite, Pipestone NM is home to some of the state's most interesting rock formations, as well as a rare waterfall on the tallgrass prairie.

For centuries, the unique stone has drawn Native peoples from throughout the region, who would put down their tribal differences to quarry the stone side-by-side. The stone, as the name implies, was used to make pipe stems and other ceremonial objects. There is no fee to visit this one-of-a-kind national monument, so walk the easy, paved 1.2-mile loop to get a glimpse into some of the quarries, many of which are still being used, and catch the cool spray from Winnewissa Falls. Then spend some time in the visitor center learning about the cultures that revere this place and the objects made from the stone.

From Pipestone, you'll head north to Granite Falls for a quick stop at another special rock formation. While it's not as visually striking as Pipestone's Sioux quartzite, the exposed rock at Gneiss Outcrops SNA is 3.6 billion—billion, with a "b"—years old. This makes it some of the oldest rock on the entire planet. It's not often you get to set foot on stone that's this old, so you should take the opportunity while you're in the neighborhood. Get out and stretch your legs while you explore the SNA's 234 acres along the Minnesota River valley.

The charming and historic lake town of Alexandria is the final stop of the day, so get out and have a look around before you settle in for the night. Visit Big Ole, the massive Viking statue proclaiming Alexandria to be the "Birthplace of America"—then visit the Kensington Runestone Museum to learn the basis for such a claim. Stop into Copper Trail Brewing Co. for a pint and dinner before heading to your hotel.

You'll be spending the night at the highly-rated Hampton Inn and Suites Alexandria, which is located just south of downtown. Rinse off the day's travels with a dip in the pool, then sink into your comfy bed in a modern, well-appointed room, and wake up fresh the next morning.

Day 2: Alexandria to International Falls

Take advantage of the Hampton Inn and Suites' free hot breakfast before leaving, but I also recommend a stop at the unparalleled and much loved Roers Family Bakery for road treats and coffee on your way out of town.

The main event of day two is Itasca State Park, which is a couple hours north of Alexandria. It's Minnesota's oldest and second-largest state park, home to old-growth forest, pristine lakes, and most famously, the headwaters of the Mississippi River. While there, be sure to visit the headwaters, take a stroll through Preacher's Grove, a stand of old-growth pines (more old-growth forest to come later in the day), and explore the park's Wilderness Drive. Be sure to get out of the car along the way to see more of the park—the day's remaining attractions don't need much time.

If you take this road trip in late May or during the month of June, you'll want to make the Lady Slipper Scenic Byway part of your route. The byway consists of the stretch of County Road 39 from U.S. Route 2 to the town of Black Duck. The 28-mile drive traverses bogs, wetlands, and parts of the Chippewa National Forest (including a historic CCC camp) that are prime orchid territory. When the road was improved, volunteers preserved and replanted wild orchid colonies that would have been affected by the construction. The result is many varieties of lady's slippers and other orchids growing along the sides of the roadway in late spring and early summer.

Be sure to stop at the interpretive rest site on the west side of the road, just north of the bridge over the still-nascent Mississippi River. There, you'll find information on the area's orchids, about the byway, and a short boardwalk that past some of the orchids, including specimens of pink and white showy lady's slippers, which are Minnesota's state flower.

When passing through the Chippewa National Forest, any nature lover would be remiss if they did not stop at the Lost 40 SNA. Jointly managed by the Minnesota DNR and the USDA Forest Service, this parcel is a stand of old-growth red and white pine forest that, thanks to a surveyor's error, was never logged. Stop and stretch your legs on the easy, 1.3-mile Lost 40 Loop, where you can marvel at the massive trees towering over you, their fallen needles dampening the sounds of your steps on the forest floor.

Day two ends in International Falls, the charming border town across the Rainy River from Fort Frances, Ontario. Visit Smokey Bear Park, where you'll find the world's largest fiberglass statue of the beloved Forest Service mascot. Then stroll through the town's charming downtown area. When you've worked up an appetite, head south of town to the Falls Bistro for a relaxing dinner before calling it a night.

Your stay for the night is Cobblestone Hotel and Suites–International Falls, which is convenient because the Falls Bistro is actually located inside the hotel. Take advantage of the fitness center if you need to work off some of the day's drive, or cool off in the pool before falling into bed.

Day 3: Voyageurs National Park

Start the last day of your road trip with breakfast at the Chocolate Moose Restaurant Company, located about a block from the Cobblestone Hotel. There's only one stop on today's agenda, and it's just minutes outside of town.

From International Falls, head east until the road ends and you land at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center in Voyageurs National Park. Take some time at the visitor center to learn about the park and its unique environment, then head out for a short hike on the easy, 1.6-mile Olberholtzer Trail. From there, it's basically a choose-your-own-adventure type of day in the park.

Rent a canoe, kayak, or boat and head out on Rainy Lake. Take a boat ride with a ranger on Kabetogama Lake from the Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center, or mosey down to the Ash River Visitor Center and hike the trails and pristine forests at the far eastern edge of the park, at the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. It's your day to spend in this expansive, Northwoods wonderland.