You've driven down this road before.  You may even have been struck by the beauty around you.  Sometimes you may have wished the road was shorter but, more often, you wanted it to go on.  If you were distracted or in a rush, you may have missed it.  You just drove past a treasure, hidden out in the open.

Minnesota has twenty official Scenic Byways, ten are lake drives, near, and sometimes around a lake.  Minnesota Scenic Byways were selected by a state commission for their scenic, cultural, historic, natural, recreational and archaeological qualities of interest to travelers. 

Waters of the Dancing Sky Scenic Byway

This route tracks the Minnesota-Canada border for nearly half of it's length. As the routes name suggests, this far northern byway offers nighttime visitors an excellent chance of seeing the magnificent Aurora Borealis, better known as Northern Lights. The route touches the shore of the vast Lake of the Woods, and ends at Rainy Lake, another huge border lake, one of many that make up Minnesota's water-based Voyageurs National Park. All these lakes offer extraordinary fishing, and Voyageurs is especially popular as a destination for houseboat vacations, where visitors can rent a floating home to moor in a secluded bay of their choice within the park. State parks along the route include Lake Bronson on the western end, Hayes Lake, Zippel Bay and Franz Jevne.

Otter Trail Scenic Byway

Otter Trail is rich with opportunities for water-based fun and recreation, with 1000 small and medium-sized lakes nearby, and resorts on many of them. The rolling hills of the region are thick with maple, oak and birch, and towns along the route are peaceful, park-like, and well worth visiting. Inspiration Peak is the second highest point in Minnesota, and Maplewood State Park offers camping, fishing, hiking, boating and more. Fishing is productive on many area lakes, including the large Otter Tail Lake.

Lake Coutry Scenic Byway

Wherever you stop along this route, chances are you're minutes away from a lakeside resort. Within 10 miles of the route are more than a thousand lakes, with countless opportunities for hiking, canoeing, boating, fishing and bird watching. Along the route are the Mississippi headwaters at Itasca State Park, and the 28-mile Heartland Trail, Minnesota's first paved biking and hiking trail built on a railroad grade. On the eastern end is the resort town of Walker on the huge Leech Lake, one of Minnesota's truly legendary fisheries.

Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway

As the only urban national scenic byway, Minneapolis Grand Rounds attests to the exceptional qualities of its host city. The byway is truly in the heart of the city, with many impressive views of the downtown skyline, yet is as green, lush and lined with waterways as most of our rural byways. The Minneapolis Chain of Lakes is a haven for swimmers, sailboaters, canoeists, picnickers and anglers, and the Lake Harriet bandshell hosts free music concerts throughout the summer. Bicyclists and pedestrians have their own paths throughout the area. Human-made attractions along the route include the historic Stone Arch Bridge, Minnehaha Falls, the Walker Arts Center's Sculpture Garden, and the historic mill district.

North Shore Scenic Drive, All-American Road

This drive has long been recognized as an extraordinary scenic drive, where countless waterfalls and rugged cliffs meeting the crashing waves of Lake Superior's North Shore. From Duluth, the world's busiest freshwater port, to Grand Portage on the Canadian border, the route is dotted with eight of Minnesota's most impressive state parks, charming harbour towns with distinctive shops and restaurants, and mile after mile of breathtaking scenery.

Glacier Ridge Trail

This network of scenic roads carries travelers along a heavily wooded loam and gravel ridge that remained when Minnesota's last glacier stopped and melted here millions of years ago. Also left behind were numerous scenic lakes and streams which still define the region's character. Dozens of lakeside resorts and campgrounds serve visitors, as well as three state parks. Alexandria is home to the famed "Kensington Runestone", which is either evidence of early Viking explorers, or a quite sophisticated hoax, depending on who you ask. Local history is on display at museums in Alexandria, Glenwood, Sauk Centre and Willmar.

Paul Bunyon Scenic Byway

Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway is in central Minnesota's Pine and Lakes area, which takes its name and character from several large lakes at its center and many smaller ones. There are also dense native forests of jack, red and white pine, spruce and cedar throughout. It winds through a section of Crow Wing State Forest. Breezy Point is a town and large resort rolled into one, and the whole area is dotted with smaller lakeside resorts and campgrounds catering to anglers and other outdoor lovers. A wide variety of wildlife can be spotted in the area, particularly in the Uppgaard Wildlife Management Area.

Edge of Wilderness Scenic National Byway

In a region studded with lakes and thick with aspen, birch, pine and maple trees, this byway winds through Chippewa National Forest, home to the largest population of bald eagles in the continental U.S. Travelers often see them above the road, but some of the best opportunities for eagle watching are from a boat on the area's larger lakes. Hundreds of bird and other wildlife species thrive here as well, including loons, ospreys, turkey vultures, and mammals such as deer, raccoon, beaver, and occasional bears, wolves, coyotes and moose. Scenic State Park's 3500-plus wild acres provide refuge for most of these species, with camping and other recreation. Fishing and hunting is great throughout the area, with boats and lodging at countless resorts, campgrounds, motels/hotels and other accommodations.

Great River Road, Northern Minnesota

Beginning at the humble source of America's greatest river, this route winds through the very best of Minnesota's wide range of scenery and attractions. Itasca State Park is Minnesota's oldest state park, as well as one of the largest (32,000 acres), most beautiful, and most diverse in terms of wildlife and activities. Many other state parks are located along the Mississippi as well.

The northern portion of the route runs through much of the state's most magnificent forest and lake country, with hundreds of the state's most popular resorts, campgrounds and other lodging, and the fishing and hunting in this part of the state is literally unsurpassed. Several of northern Minnesota's most renowned large fishing lakes--Bemidji, Cass, Winnibigoshish, Pokegama and others--are essentially widenings of the Mississippi. Little Falls is home to the Charles Lindbergh historic site and state park, and the booming college town of St. Cloud is home to the excellent Stearns County Heritage Center

Avenue of Pines Scenic Byway

Avenue of Pines Byway cuts right through the heart of Chippewa National Forest, and borders the large Lake Winnibigoshish, revered by Minnesota anglers for walleye, northern pike and most other game fish. Other fine fishing waters include Cut Foot Sioux Lake, Squaw Lake, Ball Club Lake, and many smaller lakes. Nine forest service campgrounds as well as countless resorts and private campgrounds provide a wealth of places to stay and play in the woods and waters. The route offers views of mature red pine stands, sparkling lakes, marshes, and more. Bald eagle sightings are common, as well as deer, bear, porcupine, osprey, and many other species.

These Hidden Treasures represent just one-half of Minnesota's Scenic Byways.  To learn more about these or visit the others, just visit the Explore Minnesota Website at www.exploreminnesota.com or call The Minnesota Office of Tourism travel counselors at 800-657-3700; (651/296-5029 if in the Twin Cities area)

Of course, we've forgotten to list one last Hidden Treasure, your personal scenic byway, the road you travel on the way to your lake home or cabin.  Enjoy the ride!

By Lakestyle Staff