One of my most cherished parts of Minnesota is the North Shore, the west coast of Lake Superior. I have been here countless times, at different parts of the year, stayed at different places, and every single time I have experienced new things and made new memories. Not to say I am an expert on this part of Minnesota, but you could say I am just about there. The North Shore is seriously loaded with things to do, for free! Get ready to plan your next getaway, here are my top places to visit, in order from Duluth to Grand Marais.
From the Twin Cities to Duluth, it takes a little less than 3 hours. Outside of Duluth, I love to make stops at Jay Cooke State Park and Ely's Peak. When you arrive at Jay Cooke State Park, you will need a State Park Pass, it costs $35 for a year or $7 for a day pass (as of 2023). The main part of the park has a swinging bridge over the St. Louis River, stunning rock formations and rapids lay beneath as you walk across. They have hiking trails, but I usually keep it to just around the bridge. Ely's peak is a hidden gem, simply Google the name, and it will lead you to park in a small lot. Follow the main trail, you will then gain elevation into the bluff, then once you get to the top you will see a long flat trail, the Superior Hiking Trail. This is when you want to take a right, and eventually, you will reach a long-abandoned railroad tunnel. From there, you can continue to climb up the bluff and see beautiful views, maybe even enjoy a sandwich. If you keep it simple, it should only take about 30-45 minutes in total.
Once you arrive in Duluth, you may have a sweet tooth for Johnson’s Bakery & Coffee, they have incredibly affordable yet delicious donuts and other goodies. From there go to Enger Tower, a free garden and stone tower looking over all of Duluth. Other things to do is ride the alpine coaster at Spirit Mountain, go visit downtown Duluth and walk along Canal Park, Lester Park, and visit the Rose Garden. Duluth Grill has the best food in my opinion. My last top spot to visit in Duluth is Brighton Beach. It is so fun to check out all the pebbles and rocks, try to see how long you can skip them, and soak in the lake. If you love sandy beaches, drive out East a little way to Park Point Beach. The most ocean-like vibes of the North Shore are here, the water is freezing!
As you continue up the North Shore, you will reach an option of continuing on the highway or taking the scenic route, I would highly recommend taking the scenic route at least once as you get to see Lake Superior most of the way. There are also a few cute shops to visit. Onion River supposedly has a rope swing to jump into the river, I have yet to do this. You will next reach Two Harbors, the home of the Castle Danger Brewery, if you have never tried their cream ale - you must. Keep driving along the shore and you will hit Gooseberry Falls State Park. Parking can be a nightmare as it is a popular stop, but the falls are very pretty. About 4 minutes up the road is Iona's Beach, which consists entirely of pink-toned rocks. Split Rock Lighthouse State Park is super close, it's an amazing place to camp and hike. Check out the Day Hill hike, a short way uphill to see gorgeous views of the lake. Also after normal hours, you can visit the "paid" portion of the Lighthouse for free!
Beaver Bay is the next town on your way, it has a yummy ice cream shop, The Big Dipper, and Agate Shop. One of my secret spots is the Silver Bay Marina. I wanted to stop there to take a quick photo, but soon realized jumping along the boulders with my friends ended up leading us to Pellet Island. Definitely a workout, but once you reach the bottom of the island, there is a rope and makeshift ladder to climb up onto it. You can get some really cool photographs here. Further up is Black Beach, a black sandy beach, and yes black sand gets very hot on bare feet! This is a must-visit, the perfect place for a picnic and a dip for a very brave soul. Burrr. A nearby hike, Bean and Bear Lake, is a little over 6 miles out and back. It is gorgeous in the fall. You will want to start early in the morning as there is limited parking at the Silver Bay Trailhead. The next stop is another must-visit, Palisade Head. It can also get very busy here, so be careful since you can drive up to the top on a single-lane road. Once you get to the top, there is limited parking, but let me tell you the view up here is incredible. A dramatic cliff looks over Lake Superior, with aqua-blue water sitting below. You may also be able to spot people rock climbing!
Keep going and you will reach Tettegouche State Park, another one of my top favorites. Again, can be busy, but totally worth it. It is about a 3.5-mile roundtrip hike, you get to see multiple falls, and swimming is optional. They have a really nice nature center/gift shop to get yourself refueled. I have also heard Illgen Falls is another spot where you can jump in the water, it is yet for me to visit, but it's on my list! 15 miles up the road is my favorite stop, Caribou Falls. I love that the hike is only a mile, and the falls are so beautiful. You can swim in them and truly feels like an escape. Next is Sugarloaf Cove, another beach with colorful rocks and a nature center. I love this spot, however, they do ask for you to pay upon entry. Temperance River State Park has stunning rock formations, but at this point in your trip you may be uninterested in more of "the same thing". I truly love going there in the wintertime!
One of the best overlooks you can find is at Carlton Peak, it makes a gorgeous summertime sunset. However, I find it difficult to hike, so instead, the neighboring peak, Tofte Peak, is a much easier path to get to. It is a bumpy road up to the trailhead, so be careful! Another nearby hike with gorgeous overlooks is the Oberg Mountain Trailhead, also a great place to snowshoe. Cascade River State Park is another waterfall to stop at, you can hike to Lookout Mountain for an amazing view. Then, you will reach the adorable town of Grand Marais. Check out Artist's Point, the Lake Superior Trading Post, the local gift shops, Sven & Ole's Pizza, and my adored World's Best Donuts - you have to get the Skizzle.
There is an endless list of things to see along the North Shore, I am so thankful to live in Minnesota. I hope you are able to experience the beauty of these magnificent places, they are truly God's masterwork.
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