While most people think the Midwest is boring, Minneapolis, Minnesota is actually one of the best cities in the US for outdoor adventure lovers! From backpacking to sea kayaking and more, here are the best outdoor adventure near the Twin Cities:

Why this blog? Hi there! I’m Maddy, and I’ve lived on and off on the North Shore since 2020— I lived in Grand Marais for two years, before moving south to Two Harbors. I work as an outdoor guide and writer and have since 2018, and I’m more than happy to show you all my favorite spots!

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What to pack for Outdoor Adventures near the Twin Cities:

Depending on your trip, you’ll want to pack a variety of outdoor gear depending on activity. Hiking on the North Shore, for example, can be chilly and more rugged trails. Meanwhile, cross country skiing requires a totally different set of gear! Here’s a quick list to get your Twin Cities based outdoor adventures started:

• 2 lightweight, long hiking pants. I wear a size 8 and am short, and find the REI trailmade to be super flattering as well as the Kuhl freeflex. The North Shore can be buggy: long pants are a must on trails!
• A fleece. Any fleece will do, but I really love my Patagonia Synchilla
• Wool baselayers. Five years of heavy paddling and my Smartwool baselayers are the only wool baselayers I’ve had that have really stood the test of time.
• Study hiking boots. I like my Bridger Mids. Working in outdoor retail I literally never had anyone try on these shoes and not buy them. Pair with Darn Tough hiking socks and pack at least five pairs. In rugged areas, trekking poles are also a great choice!
• Quick dry shots: I like Patagonia Baggies
• A puffy jacket. It can be cool even in the summer, especially evenings. My partner Andy (also a wilderness guide) swears by the Patagonia Nano Puff. I like my Helly Hansen Liftloft. 
• If camping, a tent, packable sleeping bag (Nemo Disco) and pad (comfortable sleeping pad): Read my budget tent recommendations here!
• A day hiking pack: I love my Perimeter 35L. I was gifted this pack a few years back and it’s still my go-to day pack; a savvy packer can easily pack for a seven day hiking trip in this bag. 
• A raincoat. I love the Moss Raincoat from Helly Hansen; It’s affordable, cute, and super durable.

Best Outdoor Adventure Ideas for Twin Cities Residents:

From backpacking to canoe trips to local adventures, here are the best outdoor adventures for outdoors lovers living in the Twin Cities:

1) Coffee and Minnehaha Falls

Looking for the perfect way to have a small outdoor adventure in the Twin Cities in the winter? Head out to Minnehaha Falls for a quick scenic walk and grab a cozy cup of coffee! 

2) North Shore Hiking Trip

For the classic outdoor adventure for most Twin Cities folks, hop in the car and head up to the North Shore of Lake Superior! Start your trip in Duluth and cruise Highway 61 to Grand Marais, Minnesota. 

Along the way, be sure to stop and check out Split Rock Lighthouse and Palisade head, or choose from any of the best nineteen hiking trails on the North Shore!

full guide to visiting the North Shore linked here 🙂

3) Sea Kayaking the Apostle Islands

Wisconsin’s Apostle Islands are one of the best adventure to have in the Midwest! I’ve worked here as an overnight sea kayaking guide for four summers, and it’s an incredible place to enjoy beachside campsites, crystal clear water, and sea caves. 

The Apostle Islands are just four hours drive from the Twin Cities and make for the perfect adventure trip for outdoor lovers looking for a taste of the coast! The Apostle Islands are also a great alternative to the classic Boundary Waters Canoe Trip.

Check out my guide to the Apostle Islands here!

4) Backpacking Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, Michigan

Michigan’s Porcupine Mountains are less than a four hour drive from the Twin Cities, and easily a bucket-list worthy destination for Midwest outdoor adventure lovers! Here, you can find old growth forests, a variety of wildlife, waterfalls, incredible overlooks, and some of the best campsites in the entire Midwest.

Be sure to hike the Escarpment Trail, visit the Presque Isle River Falls, and check out backcountry camping options!

5) Canoe Camping in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

Looking for the quintessential Minnesota outdoor adventure? Head up north the the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness for rugged canoe camping on remote lakes!

The Boundary Waters feature lakeside campsites, dark skies, wildlife, and that classic, Minnesota wilderness feel. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of a moose!

Click here for a comprehensive guide to visiting Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

6) Guided Rock Climbing in Interstate State Park

Just an hour outside of the Twin Cities, learn how to rock climb along the beautiful St. Criox River with Climb Forged, a small, guide-owned outfitter offering beginner-friendly guided climbing experiences. 

Interstate State Park is a beautiful venue, and this is the perfect outdoor adventure day trip from the Twin Cities for families or small groups!

7) Weekend in Wyalusing State Park

Looking for the best car camping site and romantic outdoorsy weekend destinations? A four hour drive from the Twin Cities, Wyalusing State Park on the confluence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi has some of the most beautiful drive-up car camping sites in the Midwest. 

Here, set up camp on a ridge overlooking the Wisconsin River and cook over an open fire with a view! Be sure to hike the Sentinel Ridge Trail for scenic views, and hiking to Pictured Rock Cave for an interesting cave and waterfall formation. 

Check out a full guide to cruising Wisconsin’s Great River Road

8) Hygge Weekend Ski & Sauna Camps

Looking for the perfect casual winter outdoor adventure near the Twin Cities? First, pick up your Great Minnesota Ski pass and head to one of your local cross country ski locations. 

Then, head out to Excelsior to Sauna Camp to enjoy the evening with sauna and cold plunge before heading back home for movie night!

9) Backpack the Border Route Trail

One of the absolute crown jewels of the Great Lakes, the Border Route Trail is one of the prettiest backpacking trails in the Midwest just a few hour’s drive from the Twin Cities! The Border Route Trail is often rated difficult and is a 65-mile thru hike with waterfalls and incredible overlooks in the heart of the Boundary Waters.

The Border Route is easily a bucket-list trip for any hiker!

For day hiking and shorter backpacking, check out this guide to hiking on the Gunflint Trail!

10) Cross Country Ski Getaway

No crispy cold Twin Cities winter is complete without a cross country ski getaway! Whether you choose a near home destination or choose to head up north, cross country skiing is the perfect way to make your winer magic and spend time outside.

Head up to Grand Marais, Minnesota for ski and sauna or for a less crowded alternative, consider checking out Bayfield, Wisconsin in the winter instead.

Check out the best winter destinations in the Midwest!

11) Northern Wisconsin Waterfall Road Trip

For a classic Northwoods adventure, head up to Northern Wisconsin and plan out a waterfall road trip! With careful planning, you can hit many waterfalls in one weekend.

Click here for the ultimate Northwoods Waterfall Road Trip plan!

12) Backpack Isle Royale National Park

Isle Royale National Park is one of the most incredible destinations of the Great Lakes, but did you know it’s one of the closest national parks to the Twin Cities?

A quick (ish) ferry ride from Grand Portage, Minnesota will take you out to Isle Royale where you can backpack some of the most beautiful and rugged trails along Lake Superior. I recommend taking extra time along Rock Harbor to enjoy that area especially!

Read a full guide to visiting Isle Royale National Park here. 

13) Visit the Wisconsin Driftless Region

Looking for a region near the Twin Cities with great hiking, food, camping, and biking? Check out the Driftless Region following the unique unglaciated (without glacial drift) drainage patterns of the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers. Alternately, cruise the Wisconsin Great River Road!

Here, check out Willow Falls State Park about an hour from the Twin Cities, or tackle a longer trip to destinations like Devil’s Lake State Park, Blue Mound State Park, or Perrot State Park!

Click here for a full guide to visiting the Driftless Region

14) Ely, Minnesota Autumn Getaway

Looking for the perfect under-the-radar fall destination? Ely, MN is just outside of the Boundary Waters and just inland of the North Shore. It’s the perfect spot for canoe lovers, hikers, or anyone looking for a less crowded destination to the North Shore. Book a cabin getaway and plan a trip to Ely!

Check out a full guide to Ely, Minnesota here!

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