GREAT OUTDOORS WINTER To fully experience the best that a Minnesota winter has to offer, head to Lake Bemidji State Park in the northwest quadrant of the state, where there are lots of ways to play in the snow. You can look for deer along the winter hiking trail or, for more exercise, rent snowshoes at the park office and go for a walk through the woods. Cross-country skiers will find eight miles of groomed trails to explore, including the Paul Bunyan State Trail, which is mostly flat and therefore perfect for beginners. Equipment is available at the park office if you don’t have your own. Ice fishing and snowmobiling are other popular winter activities here, and nature programs are offered for all ages. Visit the park website’s events calendar to find out about fun events. While you’re in Bemidji, be sure to stop by to see the iconic statues of legendary lumberjack Paul Bunyan and his companion, Babe the Blue Ox, on the shore of Lake Bemidji near the Tourist Information Center. About an hour north of St. Paul, Wild River State Park in Center City rents cross-country skis and snowshoes for use on its extensive trail system. See how winter has transformed waterfalls into dazzling ice sculptures at Gooseberry Falls , Tettegouche and other state parks along the North Shore of Lake Superior. East of Brainerd, Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area is a hotspot for winter fat biking. The park has 50 miles of groomed fat biking trails in a variety of difficulty levels. Baptism River hiking Credit: Alyssa Hei #ONLYIN MN | 63
Explore Minnesota Travel Guide 2025 Explore Minnesota Travel Guide: Page 63
