The trails at Sylvan Lake provide some of the best views in all of South Dakota’s Black Hills. Hike the easy and flat 1.1 Lake Shore Loop around Sylvan Lake, and add in the 3.1 mile Sunday Gulch Loop for a fun but challenging hike past a creek with several small waterfalls and then up into the mountains of the Black Hills. Other trail options also include Little Devil’s Tower, my favorite viewpoint within the Black Hills, and Black Elk Peak (formerly known as Harney Peak) which is the highest point in elevation east of the Rocky Mountains. The trail to Black Elk Peak gains 1350ft, making it a tough trail. Little Devil’s Tower is shorter with less elevation, but involves a significant rock scramble at the end. There is also a spur trail to Cathedral Spires, a unique set of towering rocks.
Oberg Mountain is a 2.5-mile loop hike with a gradual elevation gain of 500ft. This is a relatively easy hike with amazing views around the entire loop of the surrounding hills, Lake Superior, and Oberg Lake.
Caribou Falls is an approximately 1-mile out-and-back hike, off of MN-61 between Tettegouche and Temperance State Parks. This is a subtly marked hike, meaning that although it is just a short distance away from the scenic highway that runs along Lake Superiors shore, you just might get to enjoy this waterfall by yourself. Enjoy the peacefulness of the Caribou River along your hike to the falls.
Vacation Ideas to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park - Plan a trip for your family.. This post includes favorite hikes, places to visit, and ideas on where to camp.
If your goal is to hike to the top of Minnesota, or you are just looking for an extremely quiet and remote hike along the North Shore, Eagle Mountain is your trail. This trail enters the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and summits to the top of Eagle Mountain, MN’s highest point. Eagle Mountain is just over 6.5 miles, with a steep ascent of 500ft in the last third of the hike and is a moderately difficult hike.
Caribou Falls is an approximately 1-mile out-and-back hike, off of MN-61 between Tettegouche and Temperance State Parks. This is a subtly marked hike, meaning that although it is just a short distance away from the scenic highway that runs along Lake Superiors shore, you just might get to enjoy this waterfall by yourself. Enjoy the peacefulness of the Caribou River along your hike to the falls.
Written to be a complete overview of hiking trails at Tettegouche State Park, this post includes the must see views at Shovel Point, High Falls, and Palisade Head, as well as the lesser known secrets including the Cascades, Mt. Trudee, Mt. Baldy, Crystal Bay, Sea Caves, and some tips for winter hiking. Read through to the end of the post to learn about the 7 mile loop of Bear and Bean Lakes along the Superior Hiking Trail.
Looking for a place to stroll, sit quietly and enjoy the sound of nature without any crowds? Or maybe you are looking for a challenging place to climb up and down bluffs and ignore the traces of civilization? Both are options at Beaver Creek Valley State Park in MN, where you will lose cell phone coverage and be able to walk away from some of the stress in your life. Read more for recommendations on the best hikes in the park.
If you are interested in planning a trip to Death Valley, here is a guide to get you started. Explore Sidewinder Canyon, Badwater Basin, Salt Flats, Devils Golf Course, Artist’s Palette, Golden Canyon, Zabriskie Point / Badlands Loop, Twenty Mule Team Canyon, Harmony Borax Works, Salt Creek, Ubehebe Crater, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Mosaic Canyon, Charcoal Kilns, and Darwin Falls.
My favorite non-North Shore MN State Park, Whitewater is in southeastern MN, and is worth a full weekend visit. There is so much to do between swimming, hiking, jumping for rock to rock in the river crossings, exploring inside of chimney rock, and climbing up and down a lot of steps. Consider park hoping to nearby Carley State Park, or for a longer excursion, head over to Niagara Cave to see a 60ft waterfall inside of a cave.
Afton is a charming park to hike with close proximity to both Minneapolis and St. Paul, but does not have the feeling of being near any city development. There are beaches to play at, bluffs to hike, streams to cross, and prairies to enjoy. At the end of the post, there is also a map of nearby Vermillion Falls.
If you are looking for a place to have a beautiful afternoon or evening stroll, I would suggest heading across the state border into Osceola, Wisconsin to walk the Cascade Falls Trail. At 0.6 miles (out and back), this is an easy walk minus some steps at the beginning and end, which passes a moderate sized waterfall, features enchanting boardwalks, and ends at the St. Croix River. Head back to the trailhead the way you came to continue an easy walk, or if you are up for a challenge, take the Eagle Bluff Trail back. This results in a 0.3 + 0.8 mile loop back to the trailhead. The Eagle Bluff Trail ascends up a short but steep hill (~200ft) along a dirt path.
If you are looking for an impressive waterfall worth hiking to near Minneapolis and St Paul MN, check out Willow Falls at Wisconsin’s Willow River State Park. Trails access the falls on both sides of the river. The Willow River trail is 1.2 miles round trip and the Burkhardt Trails is 2 miles round trip.
Here’s your guide to spending the day in Joshua Tree National Park. Included are trail reviews for Bajada Nature Trail, Cottonwood Springs / Mastodon Peak, Cholla Cactus Garden, Arch Rock, Skull Rock / Discovery Trail, Ryan Mountain, Hall of Horrors Slot Canyon, Cap Rock, Keys Viewpoint, Hidden Valley, Barker Dam, and Rattlesnake Canyon.
If you are considering an electric vehicle, most likely you’ve heard the term “range anxiety” meaning the driver feels insecure about how far the electric car can drive in-between charging sessions. I own a 2018 Nissan Leaf which I love, but range anxiety is real. In this post, I will share how I estimate how many miles I can drive before I need to charge when the temperatures are less than 40 deg F. I also include real data from my own driving experiences in this 2019-2020 winter.
Have you ever looked at a beautiful picture and thought to yourself, I want to go there? Have you ever convinced yourself that you actually need to go there and then planned an entire vacation around getting to be in the middle of the picture you saw? Pictures create the itinerary for my family trips. Find some inspiration for your next adventure.
