Hike the Sullivan Bay Trail

This is the kind of trail that rewards curiosity more than cardio. You'll follow an old forest road — wide, flat, and forgiving underfoot — through a mix of birch, aspen, and spruce that feels distinctly northern Minnesota. The real draw here is the geology: slabs of exposed greenstone and basalt line the path, remnants of volcanic activity that predates complex life on Earth by a comfortable billion years. It's like walking through an open-air museum where nobody charges admission. The trail dead-ends at Sullivan Bay on Kabetogama Lake, where a picnic table and fire ring sit at a viewpoint overlooking the water. The payoff is quiet and understated — no dramatic cliff edge, just a north-woods panorama that makes you want to sit a while. Perfect for families with young kids, geology nerds, and anyone who'd rather stroll than scramble.