Minnesota is beautiful year-round, but the winter holds a special place in many Minnesotans’ hearts. The sparkling snow fields and the icy North Shore add to the holiday magic, and nothing beats a snowy sunrise or sunset. Luckily, there are many Minnesota photographers who brave the freezing temperatures to capture some of that magic, and help us find some of Minnesota’s stunning winter views. Here are some amazing spots that are guaranteed to have you praising MN winter.
- The ice on Superior in Grand Marais combined with the morning mist is unbelievably gorgeous.
Flickr/Sharon Mollerus
- Great River Bluffs State Park is a wonderful place to start, but all along the bluffs of Southeastern Minnesota you’ll find spectacular views.
Flickr/Roy Luck
- A popular North Shore destination, Two Harbors is brilliant on an icy day.
Jake Callahan
- Minnehaha Falls is one of Minnesota’s best winter destinations. The view will astound you both inside and out.
Flickr/Jedimentat44
- The view from McQuade Road in Duluth is amazing, especially when you look at this epic frozen railing.
Flickr/Aaron Fulkerson
- This frosty morning in Kandiyohi County is stunning!
Flickr/Greg Gjerdingen
- The Pike River Resevoir in Tower is unforgettable with a blanket of snow.
Facebook/Adrian Kosk
- The fields surrounding St. Cloud are wonderful in the winter. Check them out for a rural winter adventure.
Flickr/Sharon Mollerus
- This frosty morning at Morris Wetland Management District is unreal.
Flickr/USFWSmidwest
- Lake Kabetogama never looked better! There’s something so wonderful about the northern parts of the state covered in snow.
Facebook/Adrian Koski
- Sax-Zim Bog in Forbes is beautiful in the sunlight. This is a phenomenal place for bird-watching.
Flickr/Nick Varvel
- Biwabik looks amazing in the winter months. Who’s visiting Giants Ridge this year?
Flickr/USFWSmidwest
- Duluth is always beautiful but even more so with some ice. This is a typical end of winter view you can find on a Duluth evening.
Flickr/Jacob Norlund
- The mornings at Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge are especially gorgeous.
Flickr/USFWSmidwest
- East Lake Winona looks stunning in the winter months, especially under cloud-cover.
Facebook/Kari Yearous Photography
- The Minnesota River in New Ulm looks amazing after our first snows this year. Nothing beats the winter waters of MN, especially once they freeze!
Facebook/Kyle Krenz
- Gooseberry Falls is one of Minnesota’s most stunning summer locations, and it’s no different in the winter. The amazing frozen waterfalls are even climbable. You can also see all the way down to the North Shore, and the view is unforgettable.
Jo Magliocco
- Prairie’s Edge Wildlife Drive is the perfect way to enjoy the amazing MN scenery on a cold day. You don’t even have to get out of the car, but the lookout points sure are stunning! You might even find an eagle or two!
Kyle Ensrude
- The snowy landscape in Vermillion is fantastic.
Flickr/m01229
And in Vermillion you might be lucky enough to spot an owl like this one!
Flickr/m01229
- Hastings is another beautiful winter destination, and another fantastic place to see some wildlife.
Flickr/JRMartin Photography
What are your favorite places to capture the MN winter scenery? Share your favorite MN winter photos with us on the Only In Minnesota Facebook Page.
Flickr/Sharon Mollerus
Flickr/Roy Luck
Jake Callahan
Flickr/Jedimentat44
Flickr/Aaron Fulkerson
Flickr/Greg Gjerdingen
Facebook/Adrian Kosk
Flickr/USFWSmidwest
Facebook/Adrian Koski
Flickr/Nick Varvel
Flickr/Jacob Norlund
Facebook/Kari Yearous Photography
Facebook/Kyle Krenz
Jo Magliocco
Kyle Ensrude
Flickr/m01229
Flickr/JRMartin Photography
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