North Dakota | Minnesota | Wisconsin | Michigan
According to the federal government, the Midwest includes 12 states. Ask any Midwesterner to define the Midwest and they might come up with a different list of which ones are included. I’m using the official designation, but since I don’t want to cram 12 states into one post, I’m splitting up this region into 3 (perhaps controversial) parts. In the first post, I’ve included the northernmost Midwest states. They share a little bit of geography, culture and vibes, though each has its own distinct sense of place.
North Dakota
Much of North Dakota is part of the great plains, flat and expansive. In the southwest corner of the state, you’ll find some badlands formations rising from the wheat and oil fields. The state may not be a hiker’s paradise, but the highpoint is definitely worth a visit. Other interesting historical and natural sites include Theodore Roosevelt National Park, the Maah Daah Hey Trail and the International Peace Garden. And what trip to North Dakota is complete without a scenic drive straight across the state from east to west (or vice versa)? That way you’ll get the full experience of small town cafes, quirky roadside attractions and long hours of audio books! If you’re working on your 50 states and you haven’t been here yet, just wait! If you “save the best for last,” you can join the club and get the free t-shirt 🙂
White Butte: On my quest to get as many state highpoints as physically and logistically possible, White Butte was high on my list. It is located in rural, southwestern North Dakota (what isn’t rural in ND?) and lies on private property. The property owner has graciously allowed public access with a parking lot, marked trail and donation box. The Highpointers Club has done an amazing job of promoting and improving access to all 50 state highpoints. Anyone who’s interested in anywhere from one to 50 highpoints can legally get to the top! I enjoyed the beautiful scenery on this hike and the feeling of solitude. If you run into anyone out there, they are likely to be working on the list, so make sure you can recite which number you’re on when you meet them! This hike is one of the easier “summits,” at only 1.8 miles and 340′ elevation gain round trip, so be sure to put this on your North Dakota to-do list.
Minnesota
The state motto of Minnesota is “Land of 10,000 lakes” and that’s no joke; there are over 11,000 lakes in this northern state. It also borders Lake Superior, the largest of the great lakes. Being on Lake Superior feels like being on the ocean, the body of water is that vast. Minnesota also contains the head of the Mississippi River, so it is a land shaped and defined by water. That being said, there’s lots of great hiking among the forests and waterways in this beautiful state. The Boundary Waters Wilderness area, plus national forests, numerous state parks and wildlife comprise millions of acres of land to explore by foot, bike, canoe, snowmobile and more. When planning a visit to Minnesota, carefully consider the time of year. You may need to pack bug spray, snowshoes, rain gear or other seasonally appropriate items.
Artist’s Point and Grand Marais Lighthouse: Grand Marais is a cute little town right on Lake Superior that feels like any beach town I’ve been to on the east or west coast. But wait, this one’s on a lake! I really enjoyed the short walk out to the lighthouse on a small concrete jetty with waves crashing right below my feet. The adjoining trails exploring the area around Artist Point made for a lovely introduction to this area. I’d imagine this place is crawling with tourists in the summer, but our off-season visit meant quiet trails, immediate restaurant seating and a peaceful atmosphere. It’s not the most rugged wilderness hike, but it was one of my highlights in visiting Minnesota.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin! It’s got forests, lakes, sand dunes, waterfalls…or so I’ve heard. Well, this is embarrassing. During our brief visit to Wisconsin, we didn’t do any hiking. In accordance with the rules I set for this blog series, I cannot, therefore, recommend a hike from this state (yet). That means I’ll go out of my way to take a hike in Wisconsin as we travel west from Newfoundland this fall. Got any recommendations? Please send them my way.
TO BE UPDATED NOVEMBER 20206.
Michigan
When you visit Michigan, you get two states in one: the Upper Peninsula (the UP) and the Lower Peninsula (the mitten). We only had time for one, so we visited the UP where my friend lives. Michigan is pretty flat, so you won’t find any mountains to climb. However you will find lakes, rivers, sand dunes and dense forest. It borders 4 of the Great Lakes, and as a result it has more lighthouses than any other state! Like Minnesota, it also has over 10,000 lakes so I wonder if there’s any beef between the states over the motto. Michigan boasts 3 National Park sites, plus tons of other national and state protected land. What are you waiting for! Consider this your invitation to go explore Michigan.
Chapel Loop: Located in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, the Chapel Loop provides an excellent introduction to this spectacular landscape. Whether you visit for spring flowers, summer swims, fall colors or winter cross country skiing, you’re going to have a great time. I was astonished by the turquoise, tropical-looking water as seen from the sandstone cliffs. It’s a landscape that will break your brain. The loop is 10 miles, so it’s worth packing for a full day of walking with time for scenery stops. Pack a lunch, pack a book, pack a nap blanket. Savor the time you have in this special place.
There will be two more blog posts to round out the Midwest, coming soon! Stay tuned to find great hiking experiences in the rest of the area that are not to be missed.
