13 Fun & Best Things to Do in Hinckley, Minnesota

Whether you are visiting or a local, you’ll find there are many fun and exciting things to do in Hinckley, Minnesota. From outdoor adventures to learning the history of the town, below I’ve highlighted the 12 best things to do in Hinckley, Minnesota.

Fun & Best Things to Do in Hinckley. Minnesota

1. The Grand Casino – Best Place for All-Around Fun

If you’re looking for fun and excitement in Hinckley, don’t miss out on the Grand Casino. It is among the famous landmarks to see. This massive casino complex features gaming live entertainment, hotel rooms, fine dining, golf, and much more. Everything you need for a night out or a vacation getaway is at the Grand Casino!

Gaming at the Grand Casino includes slots, blackjack, poker, bingo, and pull tabs. The casino also features regularly scheduled tournaments where you have a chance at major jackpots.

The Grand Casino is more than just a casino; you’ll find plenty of superb dining options from buffets to steakhouses on location. Some of my favorites include 411 Craft Bar and The Winds Steakhouse.

If you need accommodations, you’ll find everything from RV camping to private chalets for rent at the Grand Casino. This makes it easy for tourists on any budget to enjoy a day or week at the casino.

Other amenities on-site include the Grand Harmony Spa, Grand National Golf Club, and Grand Casin Hinckley Amphitheater. The amphitheater features 5000 seats and performers from around the world host events here. Whether you want to catch a rock concert or meditate during a massage, the Grand Casino has you covered. 

The casino also features a wide range of family-friendly activities including an arcade, bowling, and plenty of shopping. 

See Related: Best Hotels in Duluth, Minnesota

2. Snowmobiling – Best Winter Adventure in Hinckley

Winter in Minnesota is cold and snowy. Luckily snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles were invented. If you are looking for some winter excitement, you’ll find plenty of trails and parks around town that offer snowmobile and ATV access all winter long.  You should check out the parks and trails near Hinckley for the best snowmobiling in town.

Riders from around the country visit Hinckley to enjoy the pristine snow-covered trails in the region. Don’t worry, if you don’t own a snowmobile. There are plenty of snowmobile rental options in Hinckley and Pine County. 

St Croix State Forest features 45 miles of trails that connect to Gandy Dancer Trail. This trail gives you an added 31 miles of trails to enjoy. Once you’ve finished Gandy Dancer Trail, you’ll be in Nemadji State Forest. Here you can find 100 more miles of trails to enjoy. Other popular snowmobiling locations include Chengwatana State Forest and General Andrews State Forest. 

See Related: Best Skiing Resorts in Minnesota

3. Canoeing and Kayaking – Best Water Adventures

If you prefer summertime adventures, there are plenty of rivers where you can spend the day canoeing and kayaking.  The Kettle and St. Croix Rivers are close to town and offer water for all skill levels.

From calm to dangerous rapids, you’ll find an experience that matches your ability. If you’re looking for extreme rapids, you should check out Hell’s Gate and Blueberry Slide in Banning State Park.

These rapids will put your skills and expertise to the test. Of course, there are plenty of calm waters where you can have a leisurely sail or enjoy fishing from your canoe. I suggest checking out the fishing at Grindstone Lake for trout, while Sturgeon Lake has great bass fishing. 

4. Willard Munger State Trail – Go for a Bike Ride

The Willard Munger State Trails is one of the largest paved cycling routes in the United States. At over 70 miles, you can travel from Hinckley to Duluth on this trail. You’ll get to experience fantastic views, quaint towns, and beautiful scenery while riding the Willard Munger State Trail. 

During the ride, you can stop at local state parks, including Banning State Park, Moose Lake State Park, and Jay Cooke State Park. Keep heading northeast, and you’ll get to take in scenic views of the St. Louis River, Duluth, and Superior. 

The trail is open for biking, hiking, in-line skating, and horse riding all season long. During the winter, the trails are also open to snowmobiles and cross-country skiing. 

5. Grand National Golf Club – Play a Round of Golf

The Grand National Golf Club is one of my favorite courses in Minnesota. It offers something for players with any skill level. You can enjoy a relaxing day enjoying the beautiful scenery of this course while testing your skills on the 18 holes.

Located at The Grand Casino Hinckley, this course features plenty of wide-open fairways so you can test out your driving skill. Holes 4 through 8 give you smaller, undulating fairways and plenty of trees and obstacles to avoid. It’s a great course for beginners and experts alike.

Other nearby golf course options include the Sandstone Area Golf Course, Pine City Country Club, and Spring Brook Golf Course. 

6. Sandstone Ice Festival – Learn How to Ice Climb

For over 17 years, Hinckley has been hosting the annual Sandstone Ice Festival. This event brings some of the world’s best ice climbers to town for a 3-day festival and learning opportunity.

Held in Robinson Park, you can spend the day climbing a wide range of ice and rock features up to 90 feet in height. 

During the festival, you’ll have the chance to join ice climbing clinics and classes.

The event also brings major manufacturers to town, and many offer demo gear for you to test out. Even if you’re brand new to ice climbing, you have the opportunity to learn the basics from some of the best climbers in the industry. 

While there are plenty of rooms available in town during the festival, many of the visitors opt to tough it out on the ice. You’ll find plenty of adventurers in Robinson Park building quinzhee or using winter tents to camp during the festivities. 

7. Brennan Field – Catch a Local Baseball Game

America’s pastime is well represented in Hinckley. Brennan Field was established in 1948. Since then, the field has been home to thousands of baseball games. 

Currently, you can catch the local Class C team, the Hinckley Knights, and one of the local high school teams, like the Hinckley-Finlayson Jaguars playing throughout the spring and summer at Brennan Field. 

8. Osprey Wilds – Learn About Local Nature

Osprey Wilds is a local non-profit environmental learning center and retreat. Since 1971, the team at Osprey Wilds has offered educational programs, school field trips, family camps, and a wide range of environmental programs for kids and adults. 

From cross-country skiing to outdoor survival training, you can pick up a new hobby or learn more about your favorite outdoor hobbies. Courses and programs are available in natural history, science, team-building, adventure, wildlife, outdoor skills, and more.

The site also features rental space for events, including weddings, company retreats, and more. There is a meeting space, food service, lodging, WiFi, and everything you need to host an exciting and rustic outdoor event. 

9. Hinckley Corn & Clover Carnival – Enjoy a Local Carnival

Come and celebrate over 100 years of Hinckley’s heritage at the yearly Hinckley Corn & Clover Carnival. This event is scheduled during July and features live music, dance performances, carnival rides & games, food, and talent shows. 

There’s also a parade and fireworks show to close out the yearly festivities. If you miss the feeling of a hometown carnival, The Hinckley Corn & Clover Carnival is a great option to experience small-town American culture and heritage. 

10. Museums and Art Centers – Learn About Hinckley’s History

Want to learn more about life in Hinckley and the surrounding communities? The town offers a variety of museums and exhibits for your learning appetite. 

See Related: Best Museums in Minnesota

11. Hinckley Fire Museum – Learn About This Devastating Natural Disaster

Back in 1894, over ¼ million acres of land burned in less than four hours during the Hinckley Fire. During this disaster, many local communities were burned to the ground, and over 400 fatalities were reported during the disaster.

The Hinckley Fire Museum tells the story of this dreaded day.  Inside the museum are plenty of artifacts and educational exhibits that will transport you back to the 1890s. You’ll learn about the heroic firefighters of the day, their equipment, and how the city was rebuilt after the event. 

After your day at the Hinckley Fire Museum, don’t forget to visit the restored Hinckley Fire monument. It’s just a few miles away on State Highway 48.  The Hinckley Fire Museum is open from May to mid-October. 

12. Pine County History Museum – Learn the Local History of the County

A favorite with the locals, the Pine County History Museum is dedicated to preserving the history of Pine County, MN. Inside the museum, you’ll find exhibits that feature local artists, town history, farming, logging, Native American history, railroads, and more.

Along with the exhibits, the property also boasts a local library, event space, and a wide range of local events. Are you interested in trains and the railroad? You can also find the Pine Country Railroad Club and its scale model train on location at the Pine County History Museum.

13. Snake River Fur Post – Transport Back to the 1800s

The fur trade was extremely important to the development of early settlements in Minnesota. Here you can learn the history of the fur trade and its impact on the Native Americans and early settlers to the area. 

The recreated Ojibwe camp and fur post will take you back to the early 1800s. Here you can learn how the fur economy functioned and how the Ojibwe lived their daily lives. Guided tours are available, and there is an interactive visitor center where you can learn even more about the history of the area.

If you like adventure, there are plenty of heritage trails along the Snake River for you to enjoy as well.

Related Resources

• Best Indoor Activities in Minnesota
• Best Breakfast in Minnesota
• Minnesota vs Wisconsin: What’s the difference?