11 Incredible Hidden Gems In Minnesota You’ll Want To Discover This Year

Located just outside of ​​Crane Lake, Vermilion Falls is a rare thing in Minnesota: a waterfall that's relatively easy to get to, but not packed to the gills with people. It's even possible to have this rushing cascade on the Vermilion River and its dramatic gorge to yourself for a while.

At just 118 acres, ​​Franz Jevne State Park is the smallest state park unit in the state. And with its location on the Rainy River, between International Falls and Lake of the Woods, across from Canada, it's also one of the least visited. You won't find the trails at all congested if you take a hike here - one of the best kept secrets in Minnesota.

If you're driving along U.S. Highway 61 south of Wabasha, you're probably paying attention to the towering river bluffs and sweeping views of the Mississsippi valley. So, you'd be forgiven for missing ​​Kellogg-Weaver Dunes Scientific and Natural Area, which protects an unusual (in the Land of 10,000 Lakes) sand dune ecosystem. It's definitely one of the most unique places to visit in Minnesota.

When you're exploring all the cool places to visit in Minnesota, you're bound to get hungry. So why not head to a hidden gem eatery, like ​​the Vermilion Club. It's not a secret for folks who live or vacation around Lake Vermilion; but it's a worthy destination for those looking for generous portions of delicious food - including massive, 24-inch pizzas - in a friendly, Up North, lakefront setting.

When traveling across the tallgrass prairies of western Minnesota, a deep, wooded river valley is not what you'd expect to see. But that is exactly what you'll get at ​​Camden State Park, one of the hidden beautiful places in Minnesota.

​​A June drive along the Lady Slipper Scenic Byway rewards the traveler with glimpses of the Minnesota state flower and its relatives. You'll find several wild orchid species, including the showy lady's slipper (the aforementioned state flower), in the area traversed by this byway. Be sure to stop at the interpretive boardwalk to ensure your orchid sightings.

The area around ​​Mountain Lake was settled by Russian Mennonites in the late 19th century. Today, you can visit a well-preserved slice of the town's history at its Heritage Village, which definitely seems like a place that's off the beaten path in Minnesota - especially when compared to other, similar places.

​​When I first visited Kilen Woods State Park, the only other person I saw was the ranger on duty. So, I enjoyed my quiet, wooded hike along the Des Moines River bottoms. Among the secret getaways in Minnesota, this quiet state park is one of the best.

​​To regular readers, who may have noticed my fascination with bogs, it's probably no surprise that there's one on this list. The Mickey Elverum Bog Walk in Orr is one of my favorite bog boardwalks - among many! - in the state. It's substantial, covering several different types of bog ecosystems, and you can see many species there. And it's quiet. You can walk the half-mile trail and not run into another soul.

​​I love being able to include the Ray Berglund State Wayside as a hidden gem, because it truly hides in plain sight. It's located right of Minnesota 61 on the North Shore, between Tofte and Lutsen. The road crosses the Onion River nearby, but there's nothing to see from the highway. In fact, the wayside looks like nothing more than a vault toilet and a few picnic tables - which is why the vast majority of folks drive right on by. But. If you stop, get out of your car, walk up the steps, and hike a short way - less than half a mile - up a trail, you'll be treated to views of one of my favorite waterfalls in Minnesota: the three-tiered Onion River falls. And compared to the other stops along the North Shore, nobody seems to know about it.