Hiking in Minneapolis

Best Places to hike in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Located in the southern region of Minnesota, Minneapolis is well-known for its vibrant arts, enticing museums, performing spaces, impeccable food, and a captivating nightlife. It’s the epitome of urban sophistication. But while it offers a captivating city life, Minneapolis also has plenty of natural beauty that offers a breath of fresh air for both locals and tourists alike.

Believe it or not, the city has a vast range of natural wonders to explore. From lakes and swamps to mountains and cliffs, there’s no shortage of outdoor adventure in and around the city. So, whether you’re looking for a challenge or simply wanting to go outdoors, there are many hiking opportunities in Minneapolis that cater to all levels of experience.

In this guide, you’ll discover some of the best trails to explore in and around Minneapolis to satisfy your adventurous souls and give you an unforgettable, fun, and thrilling experience.

Hiking in Minneapolis

The hiking scene in Minneapolis is diverse. You can find around 14 easy trails, five intermediate trails, and a couple of difficult trails. All of which are scattered throughout the city in areas like Columbia Park, Harriet Island Regional Park, Shadow Falls Park, Harriet Island Regional Park, and Theodore Wirth Park.
While you already have access to numerous trail selections, you also have the option to go out of the city and explore nearby areas to get your dose of nature. To help you find the best trail for you, your friends, or your family, take a look at some of the most iconic trails in Minneapolis you need to try.

Minnehaha Regional Park

Trail Length: 1.5 miles
Cost: Free
Location: 4801 S Minnehaha Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55417
Phone: (612) 230-6400

If you’re in the mood for sightseeing, the Minnehaha Regional Park might be the perfect place to go to. It’s located in the metro area, along the shores of the Mississippi River and offers breathtaking river and waterfall views. But before you can get to these gems, you need to take on the challenge of hiking to these jaw-dropping sites.

Don’t worry. The hike itself is not at all tedious. In fact, it’s quite relaxing, so you can bring the whole family with you to enjoy the beauty of nature. Along the trails, you might even stumble across exotic wildlife like blue herons and painted turtles that usually make an appearance during the spring and summer seasons.

Once you reach the awe-inspiring 53-foot waterfall, you’ll feel transported to a whole new world. Not only will you be surrounded by this majestic scenery, but you can also get a glimpse of stunning limestone bluffs only a few steps away. If you plan on taking this trail during the winter season, you can also experience frozen spires that enhance the beauty of the waterfall, turning it into a glorious natural sculpture. If the weather’s not too cold, you can even take a dip in the water to cool off, or take a walk through the gardens of the park, including Longfellow, the Song of Hiawatha Garden, and Minnehaha Falls Pergola.

After all the fun adventures, you can rest and recuperate in the park’s many amenities. There are several dining options available to satiate your appetite after a long walk. Plus, if your kids have some leftover adrenaline from all that hike, they can further let loose and play to their heart’s content at the playgrounds in the park.

Lebanon Hills Regional Park

Trail Length: 5.3 miles
Cost: Free
Location: 860 Cliff Rd, Eagan, MN 55123, USA
Phone: (651) 554-6530

Made up of nearly 2,000 acres of land, the Lebanon Hills Regional Park is the ideal destination to find many lakes, explore miles of hiking trails, and enjoy some sports and outdoor recreational activities all year-round. Because of this, it’s become one of the largest parks in Dakota County and one of the most popular hiking spots in the Twin Cities.

Some of the best hiking trails you can find here are the Lebanon Hills Loop, Holland and O’Brien Lakes Trail, Jensen Lake Trail, and the McDonough Lake Loop. The intensity levels of the trails range from easy to moderate, so hikers from beginner to advanced can find a route that fits their preferences.

If you’ve never hiked at Lebanon Hills Regional Park before, here’s what you need to know. While the trails are manageable, the paths can be unpredictable. So, be prepared to encounter many hills, elevation changes, and inclines. These surprises along the way will definitely get your heart rate up and keep you on your toes. That being said, if you’re on the lookout for a good outdoor challenge, you shouldn’t miss this park.

On top of hiking, you can also see many picturesque wooded areas, impressive snowshoeing trails, adrenaline-inducing ski routes, and relaxing picnic areas. Depending on the time of year you decide to visit, you’re sure to have a one-of-a-kind experience that you won’t soon forget.

Afton State Park

Trail Length: 1.2 miles to 20 miles
Cost: $7 per day; $35 per year
Location: 6959 Peller Ave S, Hastings, MN 55033, USA
Phone: 651-201-6780

Located just 40 minutes from Minneapolis, Afton State Park was established in as early as 1969 for locals and tourists alike to witness the natural sites of the city while enjoying various recreational activities. One of which is hiking.

The North River Trail is a one-way loop that spans over 1.2 miles. To get to the end of the trail, you’ll need to follow the St. Croix River and head north. Overall, the trail is moderate to difficult, having a few unexpected elevations and challenging terrains. So, if you’re looking for a challenge, this is a good place to start.

On your journey, you’ll come across a floodplain forest and picnic area where you can catch your breath and refresh for a bit. Once you’re ready to get back on your feet, you can continue your trail and come across two railroad bridges that can give you impeccable views of the river valley.

If a challenging trail is not in the cards for you, you can opt for a more leisurely trail through the Prairie Loop that spans over 19 miles. Here, you can roam around the vast open areas of the park and travel back in time to imagine what prairies would have looked like in the past — before European settlers arrived. Imagine lush greeneries all around with tall grasses and faraway forest views.

Other than hiking, you can also jog, have a picnic, run around with your kids, and just enjoy the freedom and scenic atmosphere.
If you plan on visiting the park during winter, don’t forget to head over to the Afton Alps Ski area where you can ski to your heart’s content or go on a cool hiking expedition. This activity is around two to three miles, so you’ll surely have a lot of space to work with.

Now, if you’re looking for something less popular or less crowded, a great option to consider is the South River Trail. This is a 2-mile loop away from the visitor center of the park, making it a crowd-free zone. That said, you can get uninterrupted views of the St.Croix River and contemplate in solitude as you take in the epic scenes all around you.

Murphy Hanrehan Park Reserve

Trail Length: 10 miles
Cost: $6 per day
Location: 15501 Murphy Lake Blvd, Savage, MN 55378, USA
Phone: (763) 694-7777

A hidden gem you probably never heard about is the Murphy Hanrehan Park Reserve. Not a lot of people outside of the Twin Cities are familiar with this destination, so you’ll be sure to avoid loud tourist crowds when you visit this attraction. The Murphy Hanrehan Park Reserve features glacial ridges, lush forests, and hilly terrains. Because of this, it can be relatively difficult to hike the trails if you’re a beginner. But if you’re up for the challenge, make sure to take extra precautions and bring an expert guide with you.

Along the trail, you’ll come across many woodland songbirds, which is an amazing experience in itself for avid birdwatchers. Besides this, you’ll also encounter a single track trail perfect for mountain biking. So, if you’re interested in going the extra mile and taking a more challenging route, you can test the incredible off-road quality the reserve has to offer. Take note, however, that the bike trails are often closed during wet seasons for safety reasons. As such, be sure to check the trail conditions through the official website when planning your trip.

While the reserve is open all year-round, it offers a brand new experience during the winter months. When the temperature reaches below zero and the lush greenery turns to white, this adventure takes a whole new turn, making it even more advanced than it already is.

Just make sure that you’re bringing the proper gear and wearing the appropriate attire so you can enjoy the outdoor activities in the safest and most comfortable way possible.

Luce Line Trail

Trail Length: 74.9 miles
Cost: Free
Location: Luce Line Trail, Minnesota 56228, USA
Phone: (320) 485-2535

Are you up for a long-distance outdoor adventure? Look no further than the Luce Line Trail. This spans around 75 miles and extends through the greater Minneapolis area, making it a perfect place to hike, bike, ski, snowmobile, or run for longer periods of time. The trail itself is a combination of paved pathways and gravel roads. Plus, they pass through forests, rural areas, and urban sections, offering hikers, bikers, and outdoor enthusiasts a variety of textures, scenes, and atmospheres.

Although this is one massive trail, it can also be divided into several smaller sections to cater to certain activities. For instance, you can enjoy a crushed limestone trail that runs from Plymouth to Winsted for 30 miles. Parallel this trail is a path perfect for horseback riding.

From Hutchinson to Cedar Mills, you can find crushed granite paths. Then from Cedar Mills to Cosmos, the area is surrounded by natural mowed grass. During the colder months, there’s a trail just west of Stubb’s Bay Road where you can snowmobile and ski.

Overall, the Luce Line encompasses varied landscapes that run through both rural and metropolitan Minnesota. It also features a preserved countryside strip that comes alive with plenty of plants and wildlife. Every section offers a different experience, and while the best option is to explore them all, you’re more than welcome to pick and choose the trail that’s best for you and your family.

Enjoy the Outdoor Scene in Minneapolis

Whether you’re planning on hiking in the city or hiking near Minneapolis, you’re bound to find a trail that suits your level of experience and personal preference. Whether you’re a beginner just looking for an activity the whole family will enjoy or an avid adventurer looking for the next big adrenaline rush, there are so many hiking trails to choose from.

From natural parks and reserves to countryside strips and granite roads, there’s a trail for everyone to explore and enjoy. The best part is: each area doesn’t just offer hiking. You can also partake in other recreational activities that you might otherwise not experience anywhere else. Besides hiking, you can also try mountain biking, birdwatching, skiing, and snowmobiling. Remember, the season you decide to visit will greatly impact your experience. That said, be sure to keep this in mind when you plan your trip.

During the spring and summer months, you can enjoy the vibrant colors of nature, from the bright green grass to the colorful flowers. During the fall, you can be surrounded by golden brown hues, falling leaves, and cooler weather. Finally, during the winter season, you can immerse yourself in a white paradise, filled with snow and incredible natural ice sculptures.

To make the hiking experience all the more enjoyable, be sure to pack all the necessities and wear the proper clothing. Being safe while outdoors should always be a priority when taking on these trails. Only then can you make the most of this experience.

So, if you’re ready to take on your next adventure, head over to Minneapolis and explore the outdoor sceneries the city has to offer.