Big Bog State Recreation Area

Often called Minnesota’s last true wilderness, Big Bog State Recreation Area is about as far north as you can get before you start saying “aboot.” The largest peat bog in the lower 48, it’s got sandy beaches, winterized cabins, and a mile long boardwalk perfect for taking in the native orchids and medicinal plants that sustained the Ojibwe Indians there for years. You’ll want to pack those bear bags, because Big Bog is known for its vibrant community of wildlife—frogs, turtles, bobcats, moose, and deer, to name a few. The upside to that? Nearby Upper Red Lake is chock-full of fish, making this spot perfect for amateur anglers to get in some reel time.