Are There Mountains in Minnesota? (Is the State Hilly or Mountainous?)
While the state of Minnesota is well known for having plenty of lakes, we aren’t as well known for our alpine destinations.
In fact, you may be wondering, are there mountains in Minnesota, or is it just a flat state with no elevation at all?
While we don’t have any prominent mountains that you may recognize the names of, the answer to the question actually may surprise you.
Let’s dig right into the answer and find out if you can expect
Are There Mountains in Minnesota?
The answer to this question might actually be really surprising to some people, but yes, there are technically mountains in Minnesota!
While the mountains here aren’t what you would typically expect to see when you hear the words ‘mountains,’ they are there.
The Sawtooth Mountains are located along Minnesota’s North Shore and the highest point is 2,301 feet above sea level on Eagle Mountain.
Now, whether or not we can actually consider the Sawtooth Mountains to be real mountains, will depend on who you ask.
Personally, I consider them something closer along the lines of rolling hills, because they really don’t get those snow-capped peaks and barely reach 2,000 feet.
But some people might argue otherwise and say that because they’re called mountains, that is what they are.
I’ll leave it up to you to decide whether or not we can really say that Minnesota has its own mountain range.
Are There Mountains in Minneapolis?
No, there are no mountains in Minneapolis, and to reach any within the state of Minnesota, you’ll need to drive about 4 hours.
Minneapolis has some parts of it that have some hills, but none of them come anywhere close to what you’ll find along the North Shore.
The parts of the Twin Cities that have the most hills are found along the St. Croix and Mississippi Rivers.
Towns such as Taylors Falls, Winona, Afton, and Red Wing have a few beautiful hiking locations that allow you to climb up and over the city.
Is Minnesota Flat or Mountainous?
Most of the state of Minnesota is fairly flat and filled with trees, plains, and of course, many, many lakes.
Compared to other states such as Washington, Oregon, and Colorado, Minnesota is a very flat state.
Although the entire state of Minnesota isn’t covered in mountains, there are definitely some parts that have very hilly regions.
Along the North Shore, you’ll find a lot of really beautiful rolling hills that make the flatness of the state much more beautiful and fun.
These are called the Sawtooth Mountains, although they really aren’t considered real mountains in my book. They’re more like rolling hills.
When you’re in the Twin Cities area, around Minneapolis and St. Paul, you really won’t see much for elevation aside from a few parts that have some hills.
The same goes for Central Minnesota, as there isn’t much for hills and it’s pretty flat.
Does Minnesota Have Hills or Mountains?
While the Sawtooths along the North Shore are technically called mountains, they’re more so just hills, and I think that most people would agree.
They only reach about 2,300 feet above sea level and don’t have many of the same characteristics that other mountainous regions have.
There is no alpine environment (although it does get very cold in the winter), no mountain goats or bighorn sheep, and it’s mostly just trees.
But nevertheless, they are absolutely beautiful and are worth the visit.
Where Are the Mountains in Minnesota?
If you’re searching for Minnesota’s own range of mountains, you’ll have to head pretty far north!
They’re located along what we call the North Shore, which is the shoreline that lines the largest freshwater lake in the world, Lake Superior.
The Sawtooth Mountain range is found in the Superior National Forest, along about a 30-mile stretch from Tofte to Grand Marais.
This is about the only place that you’ll find elevation like this in the state, so head up north if you’re looking for some mountains!
Are There Big Mountains in Minnesota?
Most people would consider ‘big’ mountains to be like what you might find in Colorado or Washington state.
I personally consider them to be something that reaches over 8,000 feet in elevation and has those magical snow-capped peaks in the winter.
So in my book, no, there are no big mountains in Minnesota.
Our highest peak is found in Grand Marais and is called Eagle Mountain. It reached 2,301 feet in elevation.
How Many Mountains Are in Minnesota?
Although there are no “real” mountains in the state of Minnesota, we do have a number of named peaks that are noticeable as you explore the state.
There are actually over 100 peaks within the state that have names!
The highest and most prominent is Eagle Mountain, which is the highest point in the state.
A few other notable peaks that many people enjoy hiking to include Carlton Peak, Pincushion Mountain, Lookout Mountain, Moose Mountain, and Oberg Mountain.
Many of these are located along the Superior Hiking Trail, which runs from Carlton all the way up to Grand Portage.
In fact, these mountains are used for recreation year-round, as you can also find people at one of the state’s top ski resorts, Lutsen Mountains, in the winter.
What Are the Closest Mountains to Minnesota?
If you’re on the hunt for those tall, towering mountain peaks that you see in all of the beautiful photos, you’re unfortunately not going to find them in Minnesota.
To find the closest ones, you’ll need to either drive a pretty far distance or book a flight out of the state.
South Dakota is the nearest state that has some form of mountains, located on the far western side of the state.
These are called the Black Hills and the Badlands. The highest point is Black Elk Peak, found at 7,244 feet.
The next closest mountain range are the Rocky Mountains, found starting in Colorado and running up through Wyoming and Montana into Canada.
FAQs
What is the Highest Point in Minnesota?
The highest point in Minnesota is located in Grand Marais along the North Shore and is called Eagle Mountains.
It’s 2,301 feet tall and many people enjoy taking the 6-mile trail to the top to see the views.
What Major Mountains are in Minnesota?
There aren’t any major mountain ranges in the state of Minnesota, as there are in states such as Colorado or Washington.
We do have the Sawtooth range though, which is located on the North Shore between Tofte and Grand Marais.
Did Minnesota Ever Have Volcanoes?
According to the Minnesota DNR, there is a history of volcanoes in the state that we can see from the rocks found here.
The rocks along the North Shore were created by cooling lava, and many other parts of the state were created by lava and volcanic ash.
How Old Are the Mountains in Minnesota?
The mountains found in our beautiful state are actually very old, thought to be billions of years old!
Conclusion: Are There Mountains in Minnesota?
The state of Minnesota is filled with so many fantastic views and is a truly underrated state that more people should add to their bucket lists.
If you’ve ever thought to yourself, are there mountains in Minnesota, the answer may be surprising to you.
Because yes, we technically do have them, they just might not be what you’re expecting!
So if you’ve ever thought about visiting the state but turned it down because there aren’t any mountains, you may need to rethink it!
