Backroads of Minnesota: Your Guide to Minnesota's Most Scenic Backroad Adventures

Have you driven on the Gunflint and Arrowhead trails? Have you circled the whole of Mille Lacs? Have you gone birding on the western prairies, or wound around the bluffs of the Mississippi River from Red Wing to the Iowa border? Have you truly experienced the forgotten corners of the Twin Cities metro area? A celebration of our state’s beauty, Backroads of Minnesota takes you on routes covering nearly all corners of the Land of Lakes: routes that lead you to the state’s most scenic natural areas and sites that capture the state’s colorful history. Whether you’re planning a day trip, looking for unusual destinations, or simply want to learn more about the region, Backroads of Minnesota will lead you deep into the soul of the statebeyond the megamalls and common tourist attractions. Gary Alan Nelson is an outdoor photographer specializing in large-format natural history and rural American photography. His images have been used by the Audubon Society, Backpacker Magazine, National Geographic Society, The Nature Conservancy, Outdoor Photographer Magazine, Sierra Club, and Voyageur Press.