is home to over 22 lakes and is centrally located on the mighty Mississippi River. These natural landmarks offer some incredibly scenic hiking opportunities within the city limits!

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The best hikes in Minneapolis

Minneapolis is critically acclaimedfor its

network of biking trails

, receiving the #1 spot on Bicycling Magazine's "America’s Top 50 Bike-Friendly Cities." Its hiking trails deserve similar recognition. Here are some of our favorites:

Best for views: Jensen Lake Trail

Distance: 2.1 to 3.1 miles

Difficulty: Easy

Trail type: Loop

Elevation Gain: 121.4 ft

Parking: Yes

Dogs?: Yes

Starting Point: Lebanon Hills Regional Park (1350 Carriage Hills Drive

Eagan, MN 55123)

Along every step of your hike, you’ll get a clear view of the beautiful Jensen Lake. Some highlights include wooden boardwalks, diverse wooded & aquatic ecosystems, and plenty of outlook points to take pictures. The distance can vary slightly based on which trailhead you choose.

Of course, hiking is just a fraction of the fun you can have on Jensen Lake Trail. You’ll also have access to picnic areas, accessible canoeing areas, and cross-country snow-skiing routes for those who visit in the winter.

Best for Instagram: Minnehaha Falls

Distance: < 1.0 mile

Difficulty: Easy

Trail type: Loop

Elevation Gain: 82 ft

Parking: Yes—paid lot or free on side streets.

Dogs?: Yes

Starting Point: Minnehaha Park (4825 Minnehaha Av S

Minneapolis, MN 55417)Did you even visit Minneapolis if you didn’t get a pic of Minnehaha Falls for Instagram? This 53-foot waterfall serves as a wildly popular backdrop for the park's annual 850,000 visitors.

It’s a unique experience to park your car in the heart of South Minneapolis and walk only a couple hundred yards before encountering the mighty cascade of Minnehaha Falls. Feel free to view from above or take the short trail down to the plunge basin to observe the falls from below.

Aside from the waterfall, the vibrant park has additional hiking trails, plenty of space to set up your Spikeball net, and even a seafood restaurant embedded into the visitors center. Whether you come for 20 minutes or spend the whole day, Minnehaha Park is one of the best ways to spend a day outdoors in Minneapolis.

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Best for families: Lake Harriet

Distance: 2.8 miles

Difficulty: Easy

Trail type: Loop

Elevation Gain: 29.5 ft

Parking: Yes—paid lot or free street parking on the loop around the lake.

Dogs?: Yes

Starting Point: Southwest Minneapolis

Easy, accessible, and entertaining is the perfect combo for walking/hiking with the whole family.

The fully-paved walking path is perfect for strollers, the less than 5% grade makes it easy for kids & adults of all ages, and the separate bike path minimizes congestion on the walking path. So now that your worries and concerns are subsided, let’s talk about the fun stuff!

The lake has many sailboats docked in the harbor and out on the water which are sure to grab your kid's attention. The whole 2.8-mile loop around the lake is surrounded by gorgeous scenery, but the Lyndale Park Rose Graden is the pinnacle of beauty. Each summer, over 60,000 roses bloom just for your viewing pleasure!

And when all else fails, you can stop at the

Lake Harriet Bandshell

. Here you’ll find the Music in the Park series and the Bread & Pickleconcession stand.

Best for dates: Stone Arch Bridge/Saint Anthony Falls Trail

Distance: 1.7 miles

Difficulty: Easy

Trail type: Out and back

Elevation Gain: 95 ft

Parking: Yes—paid lot, metered parking, or free street parking if you go up a few blocks.

Dogs?: Yes

Starting Point: St. Anthony Falls Visitor Center or Pillsbury Park

Nervous about what you're going to talk about on your date? The nearly endless conversation points in this area give you the ammunition you need to make a great first impression!

First of all, the Stone Arch Bridge is the only remaining stone-built bridge on the Mississippi River. This vantage point gives you a beautiful view of St. Anthony Falls. And if you want a riverside view, you can take the St. Anthony Falls trail down to Hennepin Island.

If your date goes well, the west end of the bridge connects to downtown Minneapolis where you can grab a drink afterward—

Crooked Pint Ale House

and

Day Block Brewing

are within walking distance.

MORE:

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Best for dogs: Pike Island Trail

Distance: 3.9 miles

Difficulty: easy

Trail type: loop

Elevation Gain: 78.7 ft

Parking: A state park permit or a $7 fee is required to park at this site.

Dogs?: Yes

Starting Point: in Fort Snelling State Park.

The Pike Island Trail is within the protected limits of Fort Snelling State Park, a natural area that separates the city from the mighty Mississippi River.

This isolated experience makes it feel like you're not in a city at all. And if your dog spends most days in a 400 sq ft apartment, they’ll thank you immensely for taking them on a walk along Pike Island Trail.

Leashes are required here, but if you want to let your dog roam free, head back to the

Minnehaha to explore the 6.6-acre riverfront dog park

Best for exercise: Winchell Trail

Distance: 5.4 miles

Difficulty: easy to moderate

Trail type: Out and back

Elevation Gain: 413 ft

Parking: Yes

Dogs?: Yes

Starting Point: 4357-4367 W River Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55406, United States

The Mississippi River runs parallel to Winchell Trail, making it a trendy spot for activities like hiking, biking, and trail running.

There’s something about nature that makes exercise a little easier and a lot more enjoyable.Ditch the treadmill and go get some fresh air!

MORE: Best fall road trips in the Midwest

Tips for hiking in Minneapolis

To help you have a safe and enjoyable adventure, here are our tips for hiking in Minneapolis:

Bring plenty of water. There’s not much access to water outside of the visitor center. Make sure to bring at least 0.5 liters of water for every hour you plan to hike—this should be plenty to keep you sufficiently hydrated.

Dress appropriately. Based on the season, Minnesota can have some extreme temperatures. Lows can be well below -20 degrees, while highs can exceed 100. So make sure to check the forecast and dress appropriately before you set out on your hike.

Be considerate of nature and other hikers. Respect others' space and leave no trace.

How to save money on car insurance in Minneapolis

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FAQs

Can you hike in Minneapolis right now?

Hiking year-round in Minneapolis is dependent on your tolerance for temperature. We don’t necessarily recommend going on hikes when winter serves up a day in the negatives, which is a fairly common occurrence for three or four months out of the year. Use reasonable discretion and dress appropriately for the given conditions.

Is Minneapolis good for hiking?

Minneapolis is better known for its biking trails, but the hiking opportunities are equally fun and unique!

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