America’s Best Outdoor Store Now Has Five Minnesota Locations
Newsweek Names the #1 Outdoor Store in America, and they just opened a new store in Minnesota
If there’s one thing Minnesotans know how to do right, it’s the great outdoors. We have 10,000 lakes (give or take), more campgrounds than you can count, and my favorite thing about Minnesota - the four seasons that offer all kinds of great opportunities for hikers, hunters, paddlers, birdwatchers, snowshoers, and everything in between.
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With how much we love the outdoors here in Minnesota, it makes sense that we care about our outdoor gear too, and now there is even more reason to celebrate. A popular outdoor retailer has not only taken the crown in a major national ranking… but they’ve also recently expanded their footprint right here in Minnesota.
How Many Outdoor Retailers Are in Minnesota?
While I couldn’t find an exact tally for the number of “outdoor retailers” in Minnesota, a couple of reports show there are between 1,000 to 1,500 sporting goods stores across the state. That includes everything from the big players like Scheels, REI, Bass Bro Shops, and Fleet Farm to the smaller shops like Joe’s Sporting Goods in St. Paul and Hoigaard’s in St. Louis Park.
READ MORE: Minnesota Outdoor Retailer Now Closing and Moving Out Of State
With so many places to choose from for sports and outdoor shopping, it’s interesting to see which retailers stand out on a national level, especially when one of them has recently deepened its ties to Minnesota, opening a brand-new store in May of this year.
Bass Pro Shops Named America’s Best Outdoor Retailer (Again)
The rankings, compiled by Newsweek, surveyed tens of thousands of U.S. shoppers across 43 different retail categories. Customers rated stores based on criteria like product selection, customer service, store layout, atmosphere, and convenience, with the overall score also factoring in how likely they’d be to recommend a store to someone else.
Bass Pro Shops has been named America’s Best Outdoor Retailer for 2025, the fourth straight year the chain has earned the top spot in its category.
In a statement following the release of the rankings, Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris said:
“This is a great honor for our entire team of Outfitters, and their collective dedication to providing the best experience and service to every customer who visits us. It means the world to us that this recognition comes directly from our customers – the true outdoor enthusiasts who inspire everything we do. From the products and services we offer to the unforgettable experiences we help create, our mission has always been about inspiring everyone to enjoy, love and conserve the great outdoors.”
Bass Pro Shops Has a Growing Presence in Minnesota
Thanks to Minnesota’s love affair with the outdoors, Bass Pro Shops now has five locations across the North Star State, including the newly opened store in Duluth (Hermantown).
The full list of Minnesota's Bass Pro Shops locations includes:
Animals You Can Hunt Year Round In Minnesota
Gallery Credit: Ken Hayes
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