Category: north metro hikes
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Sand Dunes State Forest
First of all, if you are looking for information about Sand Dunes National Park, this is not it. Sand Dunes State Forest is in Minnesota. You will not find huge flowing waves of sand here, but you will find miles of good hiking that is not too crowded. If you have horses, this is also great for trail rides.
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Interstate Park, Wisconsin
There are two State Parks with the same name across the river from each other. One is in Minnesota and the other is in Wisconsin. I have walked the trail along the river on the Minnesota side in the past. I looked across to the other bank and saw people over there and wondered what it was like to be where they were.
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Maplewood Neighborhood Preserves
In 2020 I wrote a post about the Priory Nature Preserve in Maplewood, Minnesota. Thank you to the Natural Resources Coordinator for contacting me about that post. Now I am motivated to find all the Neighborhood preserves!
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Hikes: North Metro
Looking for a trail to explore near Minneapolis or St. Paul? I have found some great ones in the Northern Suburbs. Minnesota, USA is a great place for getting outside. This page is a work in progress. There are more posts here at paintandhike.com that fit in this category, and more
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Lake Maria State Park
If you like to hike unpaved loop trails without having to share the trail with bikes, this Minnesota State Park might be for you. You also will not see RVs or car campers. This park has only hike-in campsites and a few hike-in cabins. My husband and I almost camped here once years ago but the mosquitoes convinced us to go elsewhere. This past Sunday was my first time back since that buggy day and I am happy to report that bugs were not an issue at all. Disclaimer: It is mid-September and it has been unusually dry. That explains the change in mosquito population.
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Crow-Hassan Park Reserve
Many miles of trails through woods and prairie are what you will find here. Bring your dog, but not your bike. These trails are shared between hikers and horseback riders. I’m no expert on horse or bikes, but I imagine it would be best to keep those two types of trail users separate.
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Bunker Hills Regional Park
This is a place where you can walk for miles. Like paved trails? Got ’em. Like earth-surface trails? Got ’em. Like loop trails? Oh, there are loops upon loops. Name almost any outdoor activity and you can probably do that here, too. Ride horses, play golf, swim, camp, picnic, take the kids to a playground, it’s all here.
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White Bear Lake
This is both a lake and a town in Minnesota. Years ago, it was a resort town but now has been enveloped by the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area. It still has that resort town feel. A downtown full of shops, galleries and restaurants that is easy walking distance from the lake.
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Oakdale Nature Preserve
This is 200 acres of forest, lake, and marsh that has many paths, both paved and earth-surfaced. A beautiful “Discovery Center” has modern restrooms, an art gallery, outdoor classroom spaces, covered picnic area, free parking, and a historical restoration of a 19th century schoolhouse. Other Oakdale parks are nearby. I am sure it would be possible to create a longer suburban hiking route that would have minimal road-walking. On Friday I enjoyed just wandering the loop trails, talking with my friend, and soaking up the spring sunshine. One of our discussion topics was racial justice.
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Tamarack Nature Center
Now that the snow is almost gone it is time to return to this 320 acre park. (1.3 sq.km) In the winter they are cross-country ski only. I did a 4.5 mile (7.25 km) walk here on March 20, 2019 and did not come close to hiking all the trails. The central loop is paved and was clear of snow but only half a mile (0.8 km). The large parking area is free of charge. During the pandemic their amazing visitor center is closed, but if you need a restroom, pit toilets are available. The trails are well marked and have names like Acorn, Deer, and Dragonfly. They are arranged in concentric circles, sort of. This is a great place for a day hike.
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Vadnais-Sucker Lake Regional Park, part 2
Last time I wrote a post about just this park it was 2018. A lot has changed since then. Something that has not changed is that I still believe this is one of the best places to walk in northern Ramsey County. I included this place in my “Hike in Place” series and I think it is time to revisit it with a post of its own. If you explore this place you can choose your distance. You can stay on the main wide trail or explore the narrow footpaths. The areas where you should not go are clearly labeled. Ramsey County Parks has information you may want to check before you go. Rules sometimes change.
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