Minnesota Outdoors - October 2023

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While many areas of the state remain colorful, southeastern Minnesota's Bluff Country region
is especially magnificent.

Biking and motorcycling are great ways to travel through vast stretches of vibrant fall color. In areas where leaves have fallen, expect excellent views of our night skies. And anyone who’s ever dreamed of catching a massive fish should head out soon since trophy-size fish are common this time of year — find out more!

Stunning northern lights at Minneopa State Park / @russ.man

STELLAR SKIES & NORTHERN LIGHTS ILLUMINATE THE NORTH STAR STATE
As the name suggests, the northern lights become brighter and bolder the further north you go. Which means that Minnesota — the home of both a Dark Sky Park (Voyageurs National Park) and a Dark Sky Sanctuary (Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness) — is one of the best states in the lower 48 to view and photograph them.

FROM OUR PARTNERS

an ad encouraging you to visit Thief Rivers Falls this winter

an image of Winona in the fall with a large colorful bluff in the background

Roads running through Winona's bluffs and valleys are perfect for long weekend bike trips

5 PICTURE-PERFECT LONG WEEKEND BIKE TRIPS

Planning the perfect long weekend bike trip is a delicate process. If your destination is too far away, you’ll spend the whole trip just getting there; if it’s not far enough from home, it barely feels like a vacation. Here's a list to help make planning your next bike-led escape a little easier.

an image of children running down a trail; an ad to learn about where to hike with kids in Minnesota

an image of anglers fishing a mine pit lake in fall

Fast fall fishing action on a mine pit lake in the Iron Range

HOW TO CATCH A TROPHY-SIZED FISH THIS FALL

Whether anglers want to pursue bass, muskies, northern pike or walleyes in one of the state’s thousands of fishable waters, or monster catfish in the flowing waters of a river, the opportunity for the average angler to catch a lunker is never better than in autumn.

You can still find lovely fall color if you head out soon! Click on the DNR Fall Color Finder map for the most current fall color conditions.

an image of a couple traveling by motorcycle through the bluffs of Red Wing / Roy Son

Traveling by motorcycle through the bluffs near Red Wing / Roy Son

EXPLORE MINNESOTA BY MOTORCYCLE

For those who love to travel by motorcycle, there are 22 scenic byways and a myriad of loops in Minnesota that offer some of the region's most intoxicating open roads.

OUTDOOR EVENTS

an image of the bluffs over Red Wing where the Bluff Color Fest Run/Hike will take place

Runners and hikers will enjoy spectacular views during the Bluff Color Fest Trail Run/Hike in Red Wing!

2023 BLUFF COLOR FEST TRAIL RUN/HIKE

The Scenic 6 Miler is a new distance race offered during this year's Bluff Color Fest Trail Run/Hike event. This new race gives participants some of the best views of the Mississippi River Valley and the city of Red Wing.

October 21, Red Wing



MANKATO MARATHON Oct. 20-21 Mankato



YOGA IN THE GARDENS Oct. 22 & Nov. 5 Chaska



ANOKA HALLOWEEN GRAY GHOST RUN 5K & 1-MILE WALK Oct. 28 Anoka



WAYZATA’S BOO BLAST & BOO BASH DASH Oct. 28 Wayzata



WOLVES AFTER DARK Oct. 28-29 Ely



FALL BAGELS & BIRDS Nov. 4 Faribault



CHOCOHOLIC FROLIC 5K & 10K Nov. 4 St. Paul



MANKATO BEER RUN 5K & .05K Nov. 5 Mankato

anad to order a free Minnesota ATV guide with an image of an ATV

Photo of the Month

an image of a buck with antlers surrounded by grasses and shrubs

This month's featured photo is by Lynne C. Mall

Submit your photos for a chance to be featured in
next month's edition of Minnesota Outdoors!

Bird's-Foot Violet flowers / Kelly Povo


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