Minnesota is in the heart of the Upper Midwest, and for generations the state has been a magnet for outdoor recreation, especially around its numerous lakes. (Numerous as in more than 14,000!) But the lakes are just the start: Minnesota offers amazing opportunities for outdoor activities on and off the water in all four seasons. From hiking to fishing to cross-country skiing and more, there’s something for everyone here—and renting a cabin on Airbnb or VRBO is one of the best ways to experience all the state has to offer.
Located on the ancestral lands of the Dakota and Ojibwe peoples, Minnesota (a name derived from the Dakota language) is sandwiched between Wisconsin to the east and North and South Dakota to the west. Canada stretches across its northern border, and in the northeast, the state has a sizable chunk of Lake Superior shoreline bordering the three million-acre Superior National Forest. Minneapolis and its close neighbor St. Paul form the state’s largest city, located roughly in the middle of the state along the banks of the Mississippi River (which has its headwaters in Minnesota’s northern reaches).
If you like spending time outside, you’ll have no shortage of options in Minnesota. From the sprawling Boundary Waters wilderness in the north to the thousands of lakes (and rivers) spread across the rest of the state, Minnesota is a paddler’s paradise. The state has 35 dedicated water trails offering 4,500 route miles for canoeists and kayakers. […]
