Outdoor recreation

Minnesotans participate in high levels of physical activity,^[147] and many of these activities are outdoors. The strong interest of Minnesotans in environmentalism has been attributed to the popularity of these pursuits.^[148]
In the warmer months, these activities often involve water. Weekend and longer trips to family cabins on Minnesota's numerous lakes are a way of life for many residents. Activities include water sports such as water skiing, which originated in the state,^[149] boating, canoeing, and fishing. More than 36 percent of Minnesotans fish, second only to Alaska.^[150]
Fishing does not cease when the lakes freeze; ice fishing has been around since the arrival of early Scandinavian immigrants.^[151] Minnesotans have learned to embrace their long, harsh winters in ice sports such as skating, hockey, curling, and broomball, and snow sports such as cross-country skiing, alpine skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.^[152] Minnesota is the only U.S. state where bandy is played.^[153]
State and national forests and the seventy-two state parks are used year-round for hunting, camping, and hiking. There are almost 20,000 miles (32,000 km) of snowmobile trails statewide.^[154] Minnesota has more miles of bike trails than any other state,^[155] and a growing network of hiking trails, including the 235-mile (378 km) Superior Hiking Trail in the northeast.^[156] Many hiking and bike trails are used for cross-country skiing during the winter.