Looking for an off-the-beaten-path, gritty adventure from Minneapolis that isn’t a Boundary Waters trip? From sea kayaking remote Lake Superior islands to badlands backpacking, here are the best adventure trips from Minneapolis for outdoor lovers!

Best Hardcore Adventure Trips from Minneapolis for Outdoor Lovers

While most people pass over the Midwest for adventure & outdoors, Minneapolis, Minnesota is perfectly located within a day’s drive of many incredible adventure destinations! Take a road trip through the Northwoods of Wisconsin, sea kayak the Great Lakes, or backpack the Badlands all with less than a 10 hour drive from the Twin Cities!

7) Sea Kayak the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

Do you dream of sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, seaside campsites and sea caves? Look no further than the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in Northern Wisconsin, just a four hour drive from Minneapolis. This trip is perfect for the Minneapolis adventurer looking for a weekend to week long trip filled with tropical vibes and intermediate-difficult kayaking.

The Apostle Islands archipelago is made up of 21 sandstone islands. While the bulk of tourists hike or paddle the caves at Myers Beach, the real hidden gems of the Apostle Islands lie away from mainland. 

To experience the ultimate Great Lakes backcountry adventure, book an overnight paddle tour out into the islands. Out here, you’ll sleep under the stars, explore remote sea caves that seldom see visitors, visit iconic Lake Superior Lighthouses and experience some of the best campsites in the Midwest.

While beautiful, the waters of the Apostle Islands can be dangerous. Book a guided overnight tour with Lost Creek Adventures, Trek & Trail, or Whitecap Kayak. Most 2-3 day tours will take you though the inner ring of Islands including Sand, York, Oak, and Raspberry Islands. Sand Island features some of the best sea caves in the islands. York Island has a beautiful beach on its north side, and Raspberry Island has a charming hike to its historic lighthouse. Oak Island is the tallest of the islands, with hiking trails, an overlook, and several of the best campsites in the lakeshore. 

Longer trips will take you out into the outer islands, where you can find the beautiful beach campsites of Rocky Island, cathedral-like sea caves of Devil’s Island, sea stacks of Stockton Island, and the especially unique Outer Island sand spit.

Looking for more on how to visit the Apostle Islands Sea Caves? Check out this article for what where to hike, kayak, and stay in the Apostle Islands and Bayfield.

Pro-tip: I used to kayak guide in the Apostle Islands! The calmest weeks of the year to visit are end of July-mid August. September is my favorite time because no bugs & no crowds, but on an overnight trip or even afternoon day trip to the sea caves you are likely to experience shoulder-high waves at a minimum, making the caves impossible to enter.

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6) Backpack the Superior Hiking Trail

Running 300 miles along the ridges of the Sawtooth Mountains, the Superior Hiking Trail is the crown jewel of Great Lakes backpacking adventures and just a 3-4 hour drive from Minneapolis. As a thru-hike, the Superior Hiking Trail generally takes 3-4 weeks to complete but it is close enough to Minneapolis to tackle in chunks throughout the years as a section hike! This trip is perfect for the Minneapolis adventurer who loves backpacking and is looking for a long-term commitment.

The Superior Hiking Trail is a difficult through hike, with significant uphill and downhills particularly between Lutsen and Silver Bay. Roots, downed trees, and rocky peaks make some of the more remote sections of the trail what many would describe as “technical”.

The reward for your work on the Superior Hiking Trail is sweeping views of Lake Superior from peaks like Pincushion Mountain, Carlton Peak, Mount Trudee, and inland lake views like those at Oberg Mountain, Johnson Lake, and Bean & Bear. You’ll pass countless waterfalls and camp on the sides of river banks, and have a chance to swim in icy Lake Superior for a bath.

Backpacking the Superior Hiking Trail, whether you tackle all 300 miles at once or bite of just a small chunk at a time, is easily one of the best adventures for Minneapolis-based hikers!

Looking for day hikes on the North Shore of Lake Superior and the Superior Hiking Trail? Read this article for the best day hiking on the North Shore!

Pro-tip: backpack campsites along the Superior Hiking Trail are free and currently do not require a permit! Only camp in designated campsites and pack out all trash including toilet paper to help keep it this way! Car camping sites in the local state parks fill quickly in summer months, so be sure to book several weeks out or set cancellation alerts. 

For a detailed guide to visiting the North Shore of Minnesota and adventures near Duluth, check out my eBook & interactive map Exploring the North Shore!

5) Basecamp Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Looking to visit one of the most underrated National Parks in the Midwest? Head out to Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota, an 8 hour drive from Minneapolis to hike rugged badlands, river canyons, and camp among bison and wild horses. This adventure is perfect for the Twin Cities adventurer looking for a trip out west without driving more than ten hours.

If you’re look for a true wild west adventure, Theodore Roosevelt National Park is the place to go. Camp at the Cottonwood Campground along the banks of the Little Missouri River, and spend your days day hiking the Wind Canyon Trail, driving the scenic loop, or tackle some of the more difficult hiking trails in the North Unit of the park. Head into the small town of Medora for dinner & to explore.

Looking for a more difficult backcountry adventure? While there are no established backcountry campsites in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, The 18-mile Achenbach Loop in the North Unit is perfect for backpacking. Seek a backcountry permit through the National Park before heading out!

Pro tip: we visited Theodore Roosevelt National Park in May, and there were no bugs, it wasn’t too hot, and the hiking trails were empty! 

4) Backpack the Border Route Trail (BRT)

Okay so this is technically the Boundary Waters, but hear me out!

Overnight canoe trips in the Boundary Waters are the crown jewel of Minnesota adventures, but did you know that a 64-mile backpacking trail runs through the Boundary Waters? Minnesota’s Border Route Trail is a 5 hour drive from Minneapolis and easily one of the more difficult hiking trails in the Midwest. This trip is perfect for the Minneapolis adventurer looking for the epitome of rugged Minnesota.

The BRT is not regularly maintained and involves difficult uphills, roots, rocky ascents, and overgrown trails. For all the extra work, the rewards are incredible vistas of the Boundary Water Lakes miles below you, lakeside campsites, waterfalls, and bragging rights. 

The hike begins off the Gunflint Trail at Magnetic Rock, a 30-ft tall magnetic standing stone, and winds through the BWCA passing overlooks of Gunflint Lake, Bridal Falls, overlooks of South Lake, the iconic overlooks of Rose Lake, Rose Falls, Watap Cliffs Overlook, and more remote overlooks and campsites along the eastern half of the Border Route Trail. On this backpacking route, you’re likely to see beavers, otter, canoeists, bear, and moose. 

Pro tip: The BRT is one of the most difficult backpacking trips I’ve ever been on, second only to  brutal, off-trail backpacking trip in the mountains of Armenia. I highly recommend using the section of the SHT between Lutsen and Silver Bay as an overnight training trip before hopping on the BRT.

Looking for day trip options along the Border Route Trail? Check out this article for day trip hiking routes, canoeing routes, and to overlooks & waterfalls on the Border Route Trail.

3) Visit Isle Royale National Park

Hidden in the middle of Lake Superior, Isle Royale National Park is home to rugged cliffs and shore line, remote island campsites, inland lakes, moose and wolves, and some of the best backpacking in the Midwest. 

While technically part of Michigan, Isle Royale is easily accessed from Minnesota making it one of the best rugged adventure trips for Minneapolis based adventurers. From Minneapolis, it’s just a five hour drive to Grand Portage where you can catch a ferry across 18-miles of open Lake Superior to the Island. This trip is perfect for the Minneapolis adventurer looking for true wilderness and quiet.

The Feldtmann Lake Loop offers a 30 mile, or 4-5 day trip beginning in Rock Harbor, while the more difficult Minong Ridge and Greenstone Ridge Trails offer some of the more challenging and remote backpacking in the Midwest. 

Pro tip: Isle Royale is also a paddler’s paradise! Get a canoe drop at McCargoe Cove and portage & paddle down to Malone Bay for a BWCA-like experience in the middle of Lake Superior, or for coastal kayakers looking for something akin to an open ocean experience, paddle the rugged Lake Superior coastline! 

An Isle Royale Circumnavigation is a feather in any coastal kayaker’s cap, and one of the most difficult & dangerous paddling routes on the Great Lakes.

Looking for more on how to visit Isle Royale National Park? Check out this article for ferry information, where to camp, how to paddle the park, trip planning advice, and more!

2) Basecamp the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

If you’re craving sandy beaches, dramatic cliff views, quiet campsites, and perfect swimming holes, look no further than the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. 

A seven hour drive from Minneapolis, the Pictured Rocks are best visited as a 3-5 day trip. This trip is perfect for the Minneapolis adventurer looking for Insta-worthy moments and one of the prettiest outdoor destinations in the Midwest.

Hike the Chapel-Basin Loop for some of the best cliff side views and waterfalls, or hike the Coves and Spray falls for some of the best swimming holes in the Midwest. Take a day to head out to Tahquamenon Falls State Park for great hiking and waterfalls, and visit the Grand Sable Dunes.

Looking for detailed trip planning notes for the Pictured Rocks, Sleeping Bear Dunes, and Northern Michigan? Check out the Exploring Michigan eBook for the best hikes, canoe and kayak routes, cheap quiet camping, and more!

Pro tip: I’ve been to the Pictured Rocks a handful of times and while the National Park campsites are beautiful, you can find some really incredible, quiet campsites in the nearby State Forests. 

As a Lake Superior paddling guide who’s paddled all throughout the Pictured Rocks, I actually recommend skipping kayaking here! The sections of shore that are easily accessible to paddlers, and the sections done on most guided tours, end up being extremely crowded on nice days with boaters, and it feels more like a theme park than a wilderness experience. If you’re going to book a paddling tour, check out the boat assisted Pictured Rocks Kayaking. Beyond that, I recommend reading outfitter reviews before booking a tour and taking those reviews very seriously.

Do not take your personal kayak on Lake Superior in the Pictured Rocks. Here’s why. A lot of people without coastal kayaking experience don’t realize that popular kayaking spots, including the Pictured Rocks, Myers Beach, and most beaches, involve launching in a bay and paddling to the dramatic coastlines, usually on exposed points by nature of exposure to elements that create dramatic geology. This means that even if it appears calm when you launch, it might be 5-6 foot waves around the corner, and by the time you realize you’re in trouble it will be too late to turn back.

1) Road Trip the Wisconsin Northwoods

While most Minneapolis based adventurers head up the North Shore, head to the Wisconsin Northwoods to beat the crowds. If you’re wondering where to do an outdoorsy road trip from Minneapolis and the Twin Cities, a Wisconsin waterfall trip is the perfect trip for you!

Check out Pattison State Park for one of the tallest waterfalls in the Midwest, and camp at one of their beginner-friendly backpack in sites with a view. Next, head to Amnicon Falls State Park, then plan to spend a few days exploring Copper Falls State Park and the nearby waterfalls. 

There’s plenty of off-the-beaten path campsites, hiking trails, and waterfalls in the area, and a trip up to Bayfield to kayak the sea caves makes for the perfect detour. Looking to go even farther?

Swing over to Ironwood, Michigan for more waterfalls and hiking, then make a quick (or long!) trip up to Porcupine Mountains State Park in Michigan.

For more on a Northwoods waterfall road trip, click here!

Looking for more Midwest Adventure?

• Check out these 18 Breathtaking Lake Superior Day Hikes for cliff views, waterfalls, and more!
• Love hiking? Here are 30 hiking trails in the Midwest, ranked best to worst
• Check out a full achieve of free trail guides!
• Download the Midwest Adventure eBook Bundle for detailed ebooks covering road trips, hiking, camping, where to eat, and more in Northern Michigan, the Upper Peninsula, the Pictured Rocks, the Apostle Islands, the North Shore, Isle Royale, and beyond!

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