7 Super Local Trails along the St Croix River
The St. Croix River is one of eastern Minnesota’s most beautiful natural features. And the river valley has many beautiful hiking and biking trails. This 169-mile river forms part of …
Beyond the Cities Outdoor Rec
Outdoor recreation opportunities in parks, trails, waterways and campgrounds within an hour or two of the Twin Cities metro area of Minnesota.
Hiking Eagle Mountain: Minnesota’s Highest Point
To be clear: Eagle Mountain is NOT in the Twin Cities! But being that it’s Minnesota’s highest point I think it’s worthy of inclusion in the blog. After years of …
Safely Solo: A First Overnight Backpacking Trip
This is the story of a Twin Cities woman’s 3-day solo backpacking trip on a section of the Superior Hiking Trail. She wanted to tell her own story, and I …
Hiking in Banning State Park
Sandstone/Pine County • State park daily or annual pass needed Banning State Park is just under 100 miles from either downtown Minneapolis or downtown Saint Paul. This 6,200-acre park is …
Hiking in Willow River State Park, Wisconsin
Hudson, Wisconsin • Out-of-state vehicle fee $13 daily or $38 annual (note: this park costs more than most of Wisconsin’s state parks!) There’s beautiful hiking in Willow River State Park, …
Kayaking the St. Croix River
Taylor’s Falls/Chisago County to Osceola Landing • Daily or annual state park pass needed if you park at Interstate State Park This stretch of the St. Croix River—Taylor’s Falls down …
Cross Country Ski in Wild River State Park
Center City, Chisago County • Daily or annual park pass + Minnesota ski pass needed The snowiest February in the Twin Cities’ recorded history gave cross country skiers plenty of …
Hiking in Wisconsin’s Interstate Park
St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin • Daily or annual park fee Wisconsin’s Interstate Park has, hands-down, some of the best, most scenic hiking within an hour of the Twin Cities metro. …
Hiking in Minnesota’s Interstate State Park
Interstate State Park is less than an hour’s drive from most of the Twin Cities metro area. It’s definitely a local gem of a park. This park is small but …