17 Off the Beaten Path Destinations and Hidden Gems in Minnesota
Minnesota is a beautiful state full of friendly people, delicious foods, unique sites, and incredible off-the-beaten-path destinations.
However, there are still plenty of hidden gems that many visitors and locals of the Land of 10,000 Lakes never see.
Here I will highlight 17 off-the-beaten-path destinations in Minnesota that you can’t miss when traveling through this great state!
Map of the Best Hidden Gems in Minnesota
Below you’ll find a map of the best hidden gems in Minnesota and where they are in the state.
14 Off the Beaten Path Destinations in Minnesota
There are so many awesome places to explore in Minnesota, many of which are unexplored and have fewer crowds.
These are the places that you should definitely check out, whether you’re from Minnesota, or you’re just traveling through.
Below are 14 of the coolest off-the-beaten-path destinations, all around the state of Minnesota.
1. Niagra Cave
For one of the most unique hidden gems in Minnesota, head to Harmony, in the southern part of the state, not far from Rochester.
This cave was first discovered in 1924 when three wandering pigs fell into it, leading people to find the underground tunnel system.
Niagra Cave is one of only two accessible caves in the entire state of Minnesota, so it certainly is unique.
Visitors to the cave will take about a one-mile hike underground and have the opportunity to see fossils that are millions of years old.
You’ll also see a rare underground waterfall on your tour.
Niagra Cave is absolutely one of the coolest places in Minnesota, and should not be missed!
Book tickets for a tour of Niagra Cave by clicking here.
2. The Restaurant Capital of the World
Located in central Minnesota, near Park Rapids, you’ll find the small town of Dorset, which has been dubbed the “Restaurant Capital of the World.”
Dorset, with only a population of 22, doesn’t have much else for visitors to do, besides eat.
Which is what makes this off-the-beaten-path town in Minnesota so special.
On their small main street, they have only restaurants and a few local stores to visit.
For the best food in Dorset, I personally recommend making a stop at Compañeros. They serve great Mexican food, as well as deep-fried ice cream (yep… you heard that right!).
During the summer, Dorset hosts the “Taste of Dorset” festival. You’ll be able to try some of the great food and explore their Main Street.
Dorset also elects a mayor by drawing a name from a bucket. At one point, a 3-year-old held the position!
3. Cuyuna Cove
Cuyuna Cove is the perfect little spot to book a weekend getaway, located in Crosby, MN.
At Cuyuna, you’ll stay in the cutest boutique cabins or tents, and will have the opportunity to unplug from the rest of the world, while you relax in nature.
‘Glamping’ is a real term used at Cuyuna, and rightfully so. The tents are decorated adorably.
If you’re up for a little adventure, then be sure to check out the more than 50 miles of mountain biking trails at Cuyuna State Recreation Area nearby.
Cuyuna Cove is “bike-in, bike-out” from the mountain bike trails, so it’s the perfect home base for a day of adventure.
As well as exploring the beautiful, turquoise mine pit lakes by kayak or paddleboard.
You won’t believe that this off-the-beaten-path destination is in central Minnesota.
4. Franconia Sculpture Park
This 50-acre outdoor sculpture museum, located in Shafer, MN is the perfect Minnesota hidden gem for art lovers.
Here you’ll find an artist-centered sculpture park, with hundreds of art pieces on display for visitors to enjoy.
The park is free to visit and makes for the perfect addition to a trip to the popular Interstate State Park in Taylor’s Falls.
You also won’t find as many crowds at Franconia Sculpture Park as you will at other places around the state.
5. The Herbivorous Butcher
Probably one of the most unique places to shop in Minnesota is The Herbivorous Butcher.
This all-vegan “butcher” shop is run by a brother-sister duo who creates small batches of plant-based meats and cheeses that actually taste good!
Inside the shop, you’ll find different ready-to-eat foods, as well as “meats” that can be taken home and cooked in your own dish.
For those who are vegan, and for those who aren’t, the Herbivorous Butcher is absolutely worth checking out.
6. Wabasha Street Caves
If you’re a history lover and are down to explore some underground tunnel systems, Wabasha Street Caves is the perfect hidden gem in Minnesota for you.
This is the only remaining Gangster Era site in Minnesota. The tunnels were carved into the ground in the 1800s for mining.
In later years, the caves were used for businesses, restaurants, and bars.
Visitors are now invited to book a tour of the caves to see it with their own eyes.
On your tour, you’ll hear stories of gangsters roaming the caves, murders, the different businesses that have lived underground, and more.
The Wabasha Street Caves are off the beaten path in Minnesota, and many locals don’t even know about their history.
You can book a tour for Wabasha Street Caves by clicking here.
7. Voyageurs National Park
While many people know that Minnesota has a national park, it’s still far less visited than others in the country.
Voyageurs National Park perfectly encompasses the beauty of Minnesota, and really shows what the Land of 10,000 Lakes is known for.
Much of the park is only accessible by boat, which gives visitors the opportunity to explore with kayaks or canoes.
You can rent kayaks from several places in the area as well as houseboats or go on tours with those who know the area.
There are also tons of hiking trails in the park that you can take to get some awesome views of the lakes.
One of the best easy day hikes is to Beaver Bay Pond.
If you’re lucky and visit on a clear night, you may have the chance to see the Northern Lights. Since there’s almost no light pollution way up north, your chances are much higher!
8. The Quietest Place on Earth
Orfield Laboratories in Minneapolis has been named The Quietest Place on Earth. It allows guests to have a creepy, one-of-a-kind experience.
The Quiet Chamber is an anechoic chamber where you can hear your heartbeat and air flowing in your lungs, because of how little sound is in the room.
The longest anyone has stayed in the room is 2 hours, because it becomes enough to drive a person mad.
Touring the Quiet Chamber certainly is an off-the-beaten-path activity in Minnesota, as most people wouldn’t dare to attempt it.
To visit, you must book a tour, which you can find more information about here.
9. The Mississippi Headwaters
Did you know that the great Mississippi River starts in Minnesota, before making its long journey to the Gulf of Mexico?
The Mississippi Headwaters is located in Itasca State Park, just about 30 minutes north of Park Rapids.
You can park near the visitor center and walk to see them, or you can choose to bike or hike on the many paved trails throughout the park.
Some people choose to camp at Itasca State Park and spend a few days exploring the area. There are campgrounds available within the state park.
This is a fun place to see and is great for a day trip from many areas around the state.
10. Tioga Recreation Area
Mountain bike lovers will feel like this is paradise on Earth. Tioga Recreation Area in Grand Rapids is the place to be for bikers.
At Tioga, mountain bikers can explore over 25-miles of first-class, professionally maintained, mountain biking trails.
There are also two beaches nearby, one on Pokegama Lake, Tioga Beach, and the other at the Tioga Pit. The pit is a unique place to swim, with teal, frigid water.
In the winter, you can still use the groomed trails for fat-tire biking or snowshoeing. And the lakes become a haven for ice fishers and snowmobilers.
Tioga Recreation Area is truly a beautiful hidden gem in northern Minnesota.
11. Judy Garland’s Childhood Home
Who knew Somewhere Over the Rainbow was so close to home?
In Grand Rapids, MN, you can visit Judy Garland’s childhood home, as well as see some awesome Wizard of Oz memorabilia.
This little museum is home to the world’s largest Wizard of Oz collection. You’ll even be able to see the carriage that was pulled by the ‘Horse of a Different Color’ in the film.
Kids can also enjoy the children’s museum that is right next door and is filled with fun activities for your littles.
Each summer, the museum hosts a festival to celebrate Judy Garland’s birthday, as she was born right in Grand Rapids!
In 2014, the festival drew in enough people dressed in Wizard of Oz costumes to set a world record!
12. The St. Cloud Quarries
This off-the-beaten-path destination in Minnesota is perfect for those hot summer days.
The Quarry Park and Nature Preserve in St. Cloud has twenty quarries, and swimming is allowed at two of them.
Quarry #2 and Quarry #11 are perfect to spend the day in the water. Some people choose to cliff jump at Quarry #2, but please use caution if you choose to do so.
If you prefer to just relax, bring an intertube and chill on the water.
The cliffs lining the water are beautiful and seem like you’re further away from the city than you actually are.
If swimming isn’t your thing, you can also hike and bike around the park on one of the many trails.
On the trails, you’ll still be able to see the cliffs dropping into the water, so you certainly won’t miss out on the hidden gems in Minnesota within this park.
13. Jeffers Petroglyphs
Jeffers Petroglyphs in Comfrey is truly a hidden gem in Minnesota that many people haven’t ever heard of.
There are more than 5,000 ancient rock carvings to discover as you walk the trails and explore the park.
The best time to visit is during the evening when the light isn’t hitting the carvings so harshly. You’ll be able to see the petroglyphs more clearly.
There aren’t many places like this one in Minnesota, so it’s very unique.
Jeffers Petroglyphs is only open from June to mid-October, so be sure to plan your visit to this off-the-beaten-path destination in Minnesota during the open season.
14. Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
It can be hard to find beautiful places with nature near the Twin Cities, but in Minneapolis, you’ll find the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden.
Seasonal wildflowers bloom in the spring and summer, for visitors to enjoy as they walk through the garden.
Bird watchers also enjoy over 130 species of birds as they soar through the sky.
Nearby, Theodore Wirth Regional Park has plenty of hiking trails and areas to snowshoe in the winter.
The Theodore Wirth Wildflower Trail is the perfect easy hike to see the best parts of this park. You’ll see flowers, wildlife, and Minnesota’s beauty.
This off-the-beaten-path destination in Minnesota is the perfect place for nature lovers to escape from the business of Minneapolis and St. Paul.
4 Hidden Gem Waterfalls in Minnesota
On top of all of the other off-the-beaten-path destinations in Minnesota, there are also beautiful waterfalls that aren’t well known.
Here are 4 of the best hidden gem waterfalls in Minnesota that are well worth visiting.
1. Devil’s Kettle
Devil’s Kettle is one of the coolest waterfalls in Minnesota because it’s been a mystery for many, many years.
The waterfall flows in two different directions. One way, the water flows into the river. The other dumps into a hole and disappears.
In recent years, geographers have been able to get a better grasp on where the water goes, but it’s still interesting to think about.
This waterfall is 50 feet tall and is a lesser-visited waterfall on the North Shore of Minnesota, in Judge C. R. Magney State Park.
When visiting the North Shore and hitting up all of the other popular waterfalls, be sure to check out this hidden gem waterfall in northern Minnesota.
2. Winnewissa Falls
Pipestone National Monument in southern Minnesota is a hidden gem in itself, and then you see Winnewissa Falls.
This waterfall drops about 20-feet and is tucked back in the quartzite cliffs that make up the national site.
It’s also a very easy waterfall to get to, as it’s only about 1/4 mile from the parking lot.
This beautiful and fascinating waterfall should be more visited than it is, but I suppose maybe it’s a good thing that it’s been kept as more of an off-the-beaten-path destination in Minnesota.
3. Barrier Falls
Barrier Falls is not known by many people, as it can be pretty tough to get to, especially in the summer months.
In the winter, reaching the waterfall is easier, as you can take the frozen Devil Track River to walk to it. In the summer, you would have to walk through the river.
Because of the difficulty of arriving at Barrier Falls, you aren’t likely to see other people on the trail if you decide to make the trek there.
Though it is a tricky hike, so if you do decide to visit, use caution and always be prepared.
4. Illgen Falls
Tettegouche State Park is one of the most popular parks on Minnesota’s North Shore, for good reason. You’ll find the famous High Falls within the park.
But, if you prefer to go off-the-beaten-path in Minnesota, then you’ll enjoy Illgen Falls.
Illgen Falls is located in Tettegouche State Park, just a few miles further north of the park entrance.
The hike to the waterfall is only over 3/4 of a mile, so it’s relatively easy to get to. Plus, because it’s a hidden gem waterfall in Minnesota, there will be fewer people!
Illgen Falls is just as beautiful as other waterfalls on the North Shore, so I highly recommend checking it out!
Why Should You Visit Minnesota?
Minnesota is a spectacular state with some of the most untouched and beautiful places, and everyone should have it on their bucket list of places to visit.
There are many answers to the question, “why should you visit Minnesota?”
A few of my favorite reasons include fewer crowds, the ability to experience all 4 seasons, being able to always be near water, and for some of the best camping.
You’re able to use Minnesota’s 10,000+ lakes throughout the entire year, for water and snow sports.
There are also several areas throughout the state, including the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, that allow visitors to completely unplug from the outside world.
Plus, Minnesota isn’t as visited as other states in the country, so you won’t ever see as many tourists or visitors in popular areas.
Because of this, there are also many more off-the-beaten-path destinations in Minnesota, waiting to be explored.
Truly, there are so many other reasons. But these are amongst the best.
What is the Prettiest Part of Minnesota?
The prettiest part of Minnesota is almost always considered the North Shore.
The North Shore runs from Duluth all the way up to Grand Portage, almost into Canada, along the largest freshwater lake in the world, Lake Superior.
It’s an almost 150-mile drive of pure beauty.
With the rocky cliffs, green trees of the Sawtooth Mountains, and beautiful views of the lake, you really can’t find a prettier place in Minnesota.
The best hiking in the state is found on the North Shore, along with the state’s highest concentration of waterfalls.
Rock climbers are able to put their skills to the test on cliffs hanging over the lake.
Those who love the water can put a kayak in Lake Superior and float along the shore.
Minnesota’s North Shore is hard to beat and ranks up there as the prettiest thing in Minnesota.
What is the Coolest Thing in Minnesota?
One of the coolest places in Minnesota is the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
This area is mostly accessible only by canoe and it’s rated as one of America’s most remote areas.
There are over 1,000 lakes to explore on over 1 million acres of land.
When visiting the Boundary Waters, you might see amazing wildlife such as bears, moose, and deer, to name just a few.
Because of how remote the Boundary Waters is, visitors can completely unplug and have their days spent completely emerged in nature.
It’s also not uncommon to see the northern lights during your visit. Because there is little light pollution, you have a high chance of seeing this amazing phenomenon.
It truly is one of the coolest things in Minnesota.
Conclusion: Off the Beaten Path Minnesota
Between the green forests, beautiful lakes, and some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet, Minnesota is one of the best.
There are also some of the most awesome off the beaten path destinations in Minnesota that have yet to be discovered.
I hope that this list of hidden gems in Minnesota helps you find some of the coolest places and really appreciate all that Minnesota has to offer.
