Sawtooth
Outfitters offers canoe, kayak, bike,
cross country and
downhill ski rentals.
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While the outdoor recreation opportunities on the shore
are countless, here
are a few of our favorite things to do as you travel Minnesota's North Shore. Drive
the "off the beaten path" roads. Make your own discoveries about the land that borders the big
Lake Superior!
Click on map for specific lodging and state park information |
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TOP PICK
North Shore Fall Colors www.northshorefallcolors.com
Daily fall color and bird migration reports,
along with over 25 fall color tours to pick from for biking, sailing,
hiking, driving and bird watching. |
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Snowmobile Trails from Duluth to
Canada and the Gunflint Trail
From Duluth to Grand Marais, Minnesota the 153
mile long North Shore State Snowmobile Trail system traverses St. Louis,
Lake and Cook Counties of northeastern Minnesota. The trail system
winds its way through forests and nearby Lake Superior scenic overlooks
and connects to the Gunflint Trail snowmobile trail system. |
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Lake Superior Fun Facts and Stats
That's not a river you see out the window as you drive along Hwy 61! Don't be a dork, with our fun facts and stats you'll amaze the family or friends. By-the-way, deer don't turn into moose, it's cooler by the big lake in the summer
and a little warmer in the winter. Find out why when you check out the facts and stats we put together for you. |
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Activities By Location
We've assembled plenty of "things to do" and "where to go" and "what to see," for your ease of finding the activity to pursue while you're up, event to attend or place to hike, bike, fish, canoe, sail or drive! |
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TOP PICK
HUGE BIRD MIGRATION LOCATIONHawk
Ridge Nature Center in Duluth
Many public programs.
During the fall, migrating
hawks and other birds of feather concentrate in impressive numbers at the western tip of Lake
Superior. Hawks migrate from as far away as the Arctic towards wintering
areas as distant as South America. Reluctant to cross a large body of
water, birds funnel down the North Shore along the shoreline and hills. Overlooking Duluth, Minnesota, the view alone is well worth the stop. Bring your binoculars or spotting scopes, and zoom in on various bird species or sea going
ships leaving/entering the Duluth Port.
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French River Fish Hatchery
On Scenic 61 at the French River 218-723-4881
Self-guided tours of this cold water fish hatchery are available weekdays
from 8am-4pm. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources incubates herring, suckers, walleye, rainbow trout, steelhead and salmon
at this location.
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Stoney Point Drive
A scenic loop off Scenic 61 along Lake Superior. About 15 miles NE of Duluth. A
great place to wave watch here in stormy weather, have a picnic and shoreline fish.
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TOP PICK
www.northshorestateparks.com
Minnesota
North Shore State Parks
There are nine State Parks in the North Shore area. Get out of the car and stretch those legs and experience some
incredible places preserved by the state of Minnesota just for your
pleasure! Our complete guide has maps and facts about each park.
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Tom's Logging Camp
On Scenic 61 about 13 miles NE of Duluth 218-525-4120
Books have been written, stories told, and motion pictures made of the Historic Logging Camp days when rugged men and tough animals fought the bitter cold and heavy snow to harvest the mighty forests of Northern Minnesota. Today the camps and horses and most of the men are gone. Machines, power saws, trucks, etc. have taken their place. An era has ended. We have restored the past for your pleasure and education in Tom's Logging Camp. Our camp offers an authentic duplicate of a typical Northern Minnesota Logging Camp, with all the building and articles, original tools and equipment from that by-gone era.
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Silver Cliff
On Hwy 61 east of Two Harbors
The highest bluff rising directly out of Lake Superior. Builders carved Highway 61 out of the cliffside 125 feet above the lake. The new tunnel provides a safer
route and features a wayside area, that you can take in the
great cliffside views.
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Lafayette Bluff Tunnel
On your return trip down the shore, you can admire a vista that occurs
at the bend of the tunnel as it gives way to the western view.
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Bayside Park
Off Hwy 61 just E of Beaver Bay/W of Silver Bay.
This park and overlook have a great picnic site. It is also a great spot to watch ships load at the North Shore Mining dock.
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Rock Climbing
Rock climbers will be pleased by the challenge and scenery presented at Palisade Head and Shovel Point in Tettegouche
State Park and Section 13.
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Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center
Turn on County Road 6 off of HWY 61. Watch for
driveway sign. Wolf Ridge offers guided family BWCAW trips, family
vacations, intergenerational Elderhostels, summer camp for 8-16 year olds,
wilderness trips for teens, and general educational programs for a variety
of interested groups. Wolf Ridge has 2000 acres of beautiful forested land
with two lakes and sweeping views of Lake Superior. It is an accredited
outdoor school offering classes that engage students of all ages in active
and fun outside experiences. Visitors are welcome to hike the miles of
trails on Wolf Ridge property and tour the center. |
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Finland, Minnesota
Check out the "off the beaten track" at the intersection of MN Hwy 1 and CR 6 & 7, about 7miles N of Hwy 61.
The community of Finland represents what a number of the small shoreline villages were like 25 years
ago. Finland is in the valley behind the Sawtooth range. Don't
forget to visit the nearby Crosby Manitou State Park or
Isabella, Minnesota.
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North Shore Commercial Fishing Museum
On Hwy 61 In Tofte
The actual museum is built across the bay from the original site of the Twin Fish Houses, the museum is a replica of the Tofte brothers' and Hans Engleson's 1905 fish house.
The museum has on display many relics, photos and artifacts that were passed down from the Tofte and Engelson families. This
is a fabulous museum, it tells the story of commercial fishing along the Shore and at Isle Royale. The Schroeder-Tofte-Lutsen Visitor Center is also located here.
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Kahneetah
Gallery
218-387-2585 or 1-800-216-2585
Located between Lutsen and Grand Marais, Minnesota on scenic Highway 61 (just past milepost 97... watch for the brightly colored
windsock!) The Gallery features Minnesota artists and includes original work in a variety of mediums. Tastefully appointed cottages have cobblestone fireplaces and complete kitchens; pets welcome. Direct access to the Superior Hiking Trail.
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Lutsen Mountains Alpine Slide
From Hwy 61 in Lutsen, north on the Ski Hill Rd 218-663-7281
Spring, summer and fall fun at the Mid-America's largest and highest alpine ski center. Take the chairlift to the summit of Eagle Mountain and return on the
half mile ride. Nice family outing in the fall with the fall colors. |
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Good Harbor Bay Panorama
Just east of Thomsonite Beach, Highway 61 turns left and reveals an
incredible picturesque Good Harbor Bay, Seagull Rock and the small
town of Grand Marais in the distance. The wayside rest area and vehicle pullover
area are on the lakeside of the road, at the height of land or you can stop at the
newly remodeled Cutface Creek
Wayside Rest on the eastern edge of the bay.
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Okontoe
Horse Drawn Winter Sleigh Rides
Our sleigh rides are offered in the
evening so you may enjoy the crystal clear view of starry skies
and aurora borealis, the "Northern Lights." Cap and
Dan, our 2000 pound Belgians, will pull you along lantern-lit
trails to inevitably make a lingering stop at the ever-popular
"kissin' tree." The three-quarters of an hour ride
concludes with home-made hot chocolate served from a wood cookstove
in the warmth of Mark and Nancy's century old log home.
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Kadunce River State Wayside
On Hwy 61 about 8 miles NE of Grand Marais. Nice spot for picnic, stretching the legs, a short hike or river ski. |
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The International Border between the USA and Ontario, Canada
On Hwy 61 is about 40 miles NE of Grand Marais. Great State Park with
waterfalls worth seeing! Grand
Portage State Park |
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To Minnesota's
"North Shore Steals and Deals"™ Newsletter and you'll be connected to the best
bargains for lodging, dining, shopping and attractions. |
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