Hike the Minnesota Hiking Club Trail in Mille Lacs Kathio

Tucked away in the trees next to the popular Lake Mille Lacs and roughly 90 minutes from Minneapolis, MN, lies Mille Lacs Kathio State Park. Of great importance to the Native American tribes that originally inhabited the area, this park is a wooded oasis from the big city.

With 35 miles of wooded hiking trails, 27 miles of horse trails and only 1 mile of wheelchair hiking trail, this park offers something for everyone who seeks a chance to get outside and take in a bit of native history. One of the most popular is the 3.2 mile hiking Club trail, which is part of the Minnesota State Park's hiking club system. Though heavily wooded, there is a brief moment where you walk into a clearing where you can rest next to the water.

The trail is well-marked but quite hilly and you will encounter lots of mosquitoes (The "State Bird of Minnesota"), so be sure to pack plenty of bug spray and plenty of water. When I hiked it, the trail seemed to end at the road to the parking lot, and you simply have to walk to your car. Best time to explore the park during the warm months is during the morning. There are nearly 20 miles of cross-country ski trails available during the winter. Don't forget to check out the Mille Lacs Indian Museum and Trading Post after your hike and you can always head over to the local casino if you're feeling lucky!