Six Outdoor Adventures Within 60 Miles

Gas prices got you down? Check out this list of nearby state parks and state trails—all perfect destinations for a day-trip or "staycation" this summer.

• Nerstrand-Big Woods State Park, Nerstrand, MN
  Why Go: Spanning nearly 3,000 acres, this state park is home to a waterfall, 200 species of wildflowers (including the endangered dwarf trout lily) and 11 miles of trails. Located near Northfield, the park is the last remnant of a large forest ecosystem known as the "Big Woods" that once stretched across 2 million acres of land in Minnesota. The ecosystem fell victim to pioneers, who cleared the woodland for agricultural purposes.

• Frontenac State Park
  Why Go: The vistas of Frontenac State Park, located on bluffs along the Mississippi River, serve as a prime birdwatching location. More than 260 species of birds have been recorded at Frontenac — including migratory waterfowl, which follow the river each year to southern wintering grounds. Not into birds? Check out In-Yan-Teopa Rock, a religiously significant site for Native Americans.

• Interstate State Park
  Why Go: Interstate is a haven for adventure seekers. Rock climb on the cliffs above the St. Croix River, shoot down river rapids in a kayak or check out the geology of old lava flows exposed in the park. The first park to cross state lines in the nation, Interstate also has the world's deepest glacial potholes: Pits as deep as 60 feet that were bored into solid rock by an ancient river.

• Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
  Why Go: Not many urban areas can boast that they are home to a 50-mile-long national wildlife refuge, but the Twin Cities has the Minnesota Valley NWR, which starts at Fort Snelling and reaches down to Belle Plaine. The park's main visitor center is located in Bloomington, near the Mall of America, which makes it an easy drive for most Inver Grove residents.

• Luce Line State Trail
  Why Go: The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources compares the Luce Line to a "jaunt down a quiet country road." Find out for yourself when you bike, walk or even horseback ride down the 63-mile trail, which starts in Plymouth and stretches past Hutchinson. The trail follows an old railroad grade and spans two ecosystems — the "Big Woods" deciduous forest and remnants of tall-grass prairie.

• Afton State Park
  Why Go: Riven by steep ravines that drop as much as 300 feet, Afton has plenty of jaw-dropping views down into the St. Croix River Valley. Roughly 20 miles of hiking trails allow campers to get around in the 1,695-acre park. Park staff also hold geo-caching events, for anyone who likes a good scavenger hunt.