Minnesota has its fair share of beautiful state parks, but in between all the state land, you can find hundreds of miles of state trails. From the North Shore to the southern prairie you can experience the best of Minnesota nature by hiking, biking, horseback riding, or even snowmobiling on these trails.
- Gitchi-Gami State Trail
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources This 86-mile non-motorized, paved trail connects Two Harbors to Grand Marais on the North Shore. It allows you to experience the best of Lake Superior including 5 state parks and countless views and waterfalls.
- Paul Bunyan State Trail
Flickr/Ken Ratcliff
Flickr/Ken Ratcliff The Paul Bunyan State Trail is 115 miles long and goes from Crow Wing State Park to Lake Bemidji State Park. It is MN’s longest state trail, and the longest continuously paved trail in the country!
- Harmony-Preston Valley State Trail
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources This epic 18-mile trail connects Harmony and Preston with the Root River State Trail and offers plenty of hiking, biking, skating, and cross-country skiing options.
- Root River State Trail
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources The 42 miles of this state trail go through the picturesque towns of Lanesboro, Whalan, Peterson, Rushford and Houston. You can experience the charm of the river valley, stunning bluffs, and stay in these quaint communities along the way.
- Central Lakes State Trail
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Beginning in Fergus Falls, and ending in the city of Osakis, this 55-mile former railroad turned paved trail lets you enjoy views of grassland, lakes, wetlands, farmland, and rolling hills.
- Minnesota Valley State Trail
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources The multi-use Minnesota Valley State Trail is perfect for hiking, biking, horseback riding, mountain biking, and snowmobiling, making it one of the best year-round trails in MN. The trail is paved from Shakopee to Chaska and a natural surface trail runs from Chaska to Belle Plaine. It follows along the Minnesota River and offers truly amazing views throughout the metro area.
- Cuyuna Lakes State Trail
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Eight miles of paved pathway within the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area, you can find amazing biking and hiking opportunities on this mining area trail.
- Gateway State Trail
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources The Gateway State Trail has 18 miles of paved trail beginning in St. Paul and running through much of the east metro which allows you to experience amazing city and rural views.
- Luce Line State Trail
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources 63 miles of former railroad, this trail has biking, hiking, horseback riding, snowmobiling, and skiing. It goes from Plymouth to Cosmos and continues west through stunning preserved prairie and beautiful woods.
- Casey Jones State Trail
Friends of Casey Jones Trail
Friends of Casey Jones Trail This trail has three segments in southern MN and provides stunning prairie and lake views.
If you’re looking for some shorter hikes, also check out these epic hikes under 5 miles!
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
This 86-mile non-motorized, paved trail connects Two Harbors to Grand Marais on the North Shore. It allows you to experience the best of Lake Superior including 5 state parks and countless views and waterfalls.
Flickr/Ken Ratcliff
The Paul Bunyan State Trail is 115 miles long and goes from Crow Wing State Park to Lake Bemidji State Park. It is MN’s longest state trail, and the longest continuously paved trail in the country!
This epic 18-mile trail connects Harmony and Preston with the Root River State Trail and offers plenty of hiking, biking, skating, and cross-country skiing options.
The 42 miles of this state trail go through the picturesque towns of Lanesboro, Whalan, Peterson, Rushford and Houston. You can experience the charm of the river valley, stunning bluffs, and stay in these quaint communities along the way.
Beginning in Fergus Falls, and ending in the city of Osakis, this 55-mile former railroad turned paved trail lets you enjoy views of grassland, lakes, wetlands, farmland, and rolling hills.
The multi-use Minnesota Valley State Trail is perfect for hiking, biking, horseback riding, mountain biking, and snowmobiling, making it one of the best year-round trails in MN. The trail is paved from Shakopee to Chaska and a natural surface trail runs from Chaska to Belle Plaine. It follows along the Minnesota River and offers truly amazing views throughout the metro area.
Eight miles of paved pathway within the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area, you can find amazing biking and hiking opportunities on this mining area trail.
The Gateway State Trail has 18 miles of paved trail beginning in St. Paul and running through much of the east metro which allows you to experience amazing city and rural views.
63 miles of former railroad, this trail has biking, hiking, horseback riding, snowmobiling, and skiing. It goes from Plymouth to Cosmos and continues west through stunning preserved prairie and beautiful woods.
Friends of Casey Jones Trail
This trail has three segments in southern MN and provides stunning prairie and lake views.
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