Hi all!
We are considering Minnesota for vaca this summer, but haven't a clue about where to go. We actually just discussed the idea of heading that way. I thought I'd ask my friends here for recommendations first!

We want to camp, hike, do nature-y things, and I might sneak a box in or two. maybe zip lining, or rock climbing, or paddling; outdoor fun stuff. ;)
If there's something historic nearby, bonus for the hubs!

Where are some good places to look?
Tia!!

You should look into the north shore. Starting at Duluth and follow Lake Superior up toward Canada. It’s so beautiful! Tons of hiking, waterfalls, rugged lakeshore. But you’d want to look into camping now as parks fill up.

The area around Taylors Falls has everything you mentioned: rock climbing options, kayak and canoe rentals on the St. Croix, some great camping and hiking at Wild River SP, William O'Brien SP, Interstate SP (both the MN and WI sides of the river). There are amazing zipline and high ropes challenge courses at Trollhaugen ski area in Dresser, WI. And there is Wild Mountain water park and adventuring (go karts, alpine slide), the Franconia Sculpture Garden, the Almelund Threshing Show (if you come the second weekend in August), and several other cute towns in the area, like Lindström (America's Little Sweden, and it happens to be where I live), Marine on St. Croix, and Stillwater. If you're flying in, the area is less than 90 minutes from the airport.

-AG

But you'd want to look into camping now as parks fill up.

Any suggestions on good places to camp? We know nothing about Minnesota.

Thanks!

The area around Taylor Falls

We will check that out. Thanks. :)

Minnesota's state parks are great.
I suggest that you decide where in the state you want to go (prairie, Lake superior, hardwood forest). Look at what amenities are at the state parks and book it! One state park has a teepee that you can rent!

You can’t go wrong at any of the north shore Minnesota State Parks. We really enjoyed Tettegouche State Park. We’re trying Temperance River State Park this summer.

I suggest that you decide where in the state you want to go

That's why I'm writing, we don't have a clue!

I have been looking at the north shore parks and they look nice. You mentioned hardwoods, that sounds amazing too. We also have to consider drive time. And the less people the better.

And the less people the better.

Well, there's a starting point.
The north shore state parks are fabulous. I would suggest mid-week to avoid the throngs. One July 4th, hubby and I headed north with no camping reservations (BAD idea) - we checked every state park from Gooseberry to Tettegouche and ended up in a hotel.

If you're like skootch and I, and really don't like people, try our beautiful state forests! You can camp pretty much anywhere, and make your own rules!

One of our go-to spots for camping is Fenske Lake Campground in the Superior National Forest. Its just a bit north of Ely (a fabulous little town!) and is close to the BWCA if you want to rent a canoe for a short day trip. The Bass Lake trail is our favorite hike in the area, and Ely is also home of the International Wolf Center.

If you want a southern MN trip, I would recommend Forestville State Park. They have a reconstructed pioneer town (with costumed interpreters on the weekends) and ranger-led tours of Mystery Cave, which is located in the park. Niagara cave is nearby -- it's
interesting, too.

There's an old iron mine up north where you can take an old elevator down half a mile or something and walk around in the tunnels. I loved it. Combine with a visit to Duluth and the north shore.
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/lake_vermilion_soudan/tours.html

Thanks everyone! It looks like parks on Superior are just about full.

We are considering Itasca S.P. and Park Rapids.