There are at least 10,000 gorgeous lakes in Minnesota to choose from, and all of them are worth a day trip or summer dip. What are the most beautiful lakes in Minnesota? While many of the state's islands are privately owned, there are still a few islands in Minnesota that are open to the public and offer gorgeous waterfront views: Many of these are located in Lake Superior and the North Woods region. somewhere between 600 and 14,000, depending on who you ask, and how they determine what size of land mass counts as an island. Due to the impressive number of lakes in Minnesota, the state is also home to a surprising number of islands as well.