Minnesota has long been a beacon for those who love life on the water. The state’s name is derived from Native American Dakota tribe words meaning ‘sky-tinted waters’, and although commonly known as the ‘Land of 10,000 Lakes’, it’s actually home to a total of 11,842 lakes, making it ideally suited to watersports - in fact the state is said to be the birthplace of waterskiing. So it’s hardly surprising the state is also regarded as the birthplace of waterskiing. On land, there are more cycling trails in Minnesota than in any other US state, and with its wildlife-packed national parks and the green spaces of its ‘twin cities’, Minneapolis and St Paul, the area is full of opportunities to get outdoors. From canoeing and fat biking to stargazing and snowmobiling, these are the ultimate ways to discover Minnesota’s vast wilderness.

Minnesota’s location at the heart of three ecosystems — Northwoods, prairie and Eastern Woodland — is the reason it offers some of the best hiking in the Midwest. One of its most rugged and dramatic long-distance routes is the 64-mile Border Route Trail, which snakes along the Canadian border. The path also connects with the Kekekabic Trail and the Superior Hiking Trail. Another great location for hiking is the Glacial Lakes State Park, a 2.5-hour drive from Minneapolis, which has tracks that weave through prairielands and glacial hills.

A 650-mile-long stretch of the Mississippi River runs through Minnesota, ideal for a day of canoeing or kayaking. Join a guided tour with local operators such as Paddle Hoppers, or rent a kayak from Mississippi River Paddle Share and cruise along at your own pace. North of Minneapolis, Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness stretches across more than a million acres, and is home to thousands of glacial lakes and streams surrounded by lush forests. Hire a canoe and head out on the water, with 1,200 miles of scenic routes to choose from.

With over 4,000 miles of paved trails and fantastic backcountry terrain, cyclists are well served in Minnesota. Many of the trails stay open year-round and are suitable for fat bikes (mountain bikes with ultra-wide tyres). As a result, the state has one of the country’s largest networks of fat bike trails. Some of the best routes can be found in the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area, where you can also spend the night in a cosy yurt after a day of exploring. The smooth Gitchi-Gami State Trail, which weaves 86 miles along Lake Superior’s North Shore, is great for spectacular backdrops, while back in North Minneapolis, picturesque tracks weave through the forested Theodore Wirth Regional Park.

Don’t know your Andromeda from your Aquila? Minnesota is the ideal place for you to gain a new appreciation of the night sky and you don’t have to venture far from the state’s twin cities to star gaze. Afton State Park, just a 30-minute drive from the state capital St Paul, is a great location for stargazing close to the city, with campsites available for overnight stays. Further north, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Minnesota’s first Dark Sky Sanctuary, is a wonderful place to admire the Milky Way. The Northern Lights are also regularly glimpsed from this spot.

For memorable accommodation options, check out one of the houseboat rental companies located on the shores of many of the state’s largest lakes. At Voyageurs National Park, choose from wallet-friendly smaller vessels to larger houseboats for week-long explorations of the area. They’re equipped with small kitchens, dining areas, bathrooms and sleeping areas, as well as open-air decks. Many come with cool added extras, too, such as water slides and kayaks. Houseboats are surprisingly simple to pilot, although the rental agent will give you a short lesson before letting you loose on the lakes.

Minnesota has almost 22,000 miles of connected snowmobiling trails, making it a great place for some winter fun. It’s hard to beat the Brainerd Lakes area, just over two hours’ drive north of Minneapolis, which has a large selection of snowmobile rental companies and hundreds of miles of marked trails to ride along. Further north, Superior National Forest's network of tracks twists through snow-dusted forests and past beautiful lodges (which are open year-round). And where Minnesota meets the Canadian border, Voyageurs National Park's routes are incredibly well maintained, so it’s fantastic for a night-time snowmobiling session — you might even catch sight of the Northern Lights as you speed along the moonlit trails.