Minnesota Just Landed Among America’s Best States for Hiking

When it comes to lacing up those hiking boots and hitting the great outdoors, did you know that Minnesota was just ranked as one of the best states in the entire country when it comes to hiking?

We all know the Land of 10,000 Lakes is famous for its waterways, but it’s also home to an impressive number of outdoor spaces where Minnesotans can hike, camp, bike, or take in the natural beauty around them.

Minnesota Has Hundreds of Incredible Places to Hike

In fact, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) currently manages 75 different state parks and state recreation areas spread across the state. There are so many, you're rarely more than 30 miles away from one, no matter where you are in Minnesota.

SEE ALSO: 2026 Has Been A Slow Season So Far For Mosquitoes in Minnesota 

Of course, Minnesota has more than just an incredible lineup of state parks. The Bold North is also home to several national park units, including Voyageurs National Park, Grand Portage National Monument, and the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, all of which are great for hiking as well.

The sunset along the waters of Voyageurs National Park, as seen from the Ash Visitor Center.

Then there are the 58 regional parks located in the Twin Cities metro area, along with an estimated 1,000 or more city and county parks spread across many of Minnesota's 87 different counties, so hiking opportunities across the state are likely right around the corner.

New Study Ranks Minnesota Among the Best States for Hiking

Which is why it isn't a huge surprise to Minnesotans that the Bold North was just named as one of the best states for hiking in the entire country. That's the word from a new survey by KURU Footwear, which said Minnesota ranked 9th in the country for hiking this year.

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To spotlight the best of the best, KURU Footwear said they scored every state using five metrics that matter to hikers, from trail count and rating to park access. And when the scores came in, these 10 states led the way with scenic variety, adventure-ready landscapes, and trails worth adding to your must-hike list, the survey noted.

Here's what the KURU Footwear survey had to say about the Land of 10,000 Lakes:

Minnesota is one of the most surprising entries on this year's list, ranking #9 thanks to strong trail ratings, 65 state parks, and a trail network that most people outside the state don't know exists. It's proof that world-class hiking doesn't have to mean mountains.

The Top 10 Best States for Hiking in 2026

Here's the full list of the Top 10 Best States for Hiking in 2026, according to KURU Footwear:

1. California
2. Colorado
3. Arizona
4. Utah
5. Texas
6. Michigan
7. Washington
8. Montana
9. Minnesota
10. New Mexico

I've hiked in all of those states except Texas and Michigan, but that list looks pretty accurate to me. I might add Oregon, where we did some beautiful hikes just off Highway 1 along the Pacific Coast, as well as my home state of Wisconsin, where hiking up Rib Mountain near Wausau is also pretty scenic.

Even if you don't head to a park, there is a lot of scenic beauty in just about all of Minnesota's over 10,000 Lakes. But do you know just *which* of those lakes have the most common names in the state? (Hint: There are a *lot* of Mud Lakes in Minnesota!) Keep scrolling to check out the rest!