North Shore Minnesota Advice

We spent five nights on the North Shore last August. We base camped at Tettegouche State Park -- beautiful park! -- and did day trips from there to see all the waterfalls. We spent time in all seven North Shore State Parks in five days. Here is a waterfall tour that is fun to do: http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/minnesota/waterfall-road-trip-mn/

All the waterfall hikes are fairly easy and don't take much time, but so worth it.

If you like bike riding at all, the Gitchi Gumi Trail is fantastic. We rode the section that goes from Beaver Bay to Gooseberry State Park.

Lots of good suggestions here so far. Have a great time!

Grand Marais is a good jumping off spot and there is much to see and do doing daytrips from there.

Definitely go up the Gunflint Trail to the end.
Have lunch or dinner at Gunflint Lodge.
Go to Chik-Wauk Museum and learn about the history of the area (it is near the top end of the Gunflint Trail).
Go have dinner at Nanaboujou Lodge, beautiful place.
Be sure to visit High Falls at Grand Portage State Park.
Visit Grand Portage National Monument (fur trading history).
Cross over into Canada at the border just to do it!
Cascade River State Park (south of Grand Marais) has a great trail that follows the cascading river and pools.
Grand Portage Indian Reservation with its history. Also a casino there, of course.

But, there are great places that are nearer to Burlington Bay.
Gooseberry Falls State Park has a great visitor center and beautiful waterfalls.
Split Rock State Park and Historical Site has an iconic Lighthouse that you can tour, and a great visitor center too.
There is a paved bike trail that connects the two state parks and goes farther up the shore.
Hike the Superior Hiking Trail that offers great views of the lake.

Where to stay...your choice. Either way, you won't be without lots of things to see and do.

I think it's up to you, if you want a change of scenery at your campsite. From Grand Marais to Gooseberry Falls is only about 70 miles, a comfortable day trip. From that point to Duluth I don't think there are many sights to see, unless you want to visit some places in Duluth itself (such as Glensheen).

Enjoy the state parks, with trails running along the riverbanks and views of waterfalls. Be sure to stop at Palisade Head, close to Tettegouche SP, for a splendid view of the lake far below. Enjoy a stroll out to Artist's Point at Grand Marais, and grab a pizza at Sven and Ole's.

Ah, bummer

Sorry I don't know much about that area, all the times I've been in Minnesota were passing through in a hurry to get someplace else. Someday I would like to do a circle tour of the greatest Great Lake.

GordonThree wrote:

paullac wrote:
I read the other posts on this topic but had a slightly different question.

We recently moved to Minnesota. We will be making our first & only trip to the North Shore of Minnesota in mid June.

Just curious, why do you phrase it this way, "first and only trip"?

The joy of corporate relos...
We recently moved to Minnesota so it will be our first trip.
We do not expect to be here long so it will probably be our only trip.

paullac wrote:
I read the other posts on this topic but had a slightly different question.

We recently moved to Minnesota. We will be making our first & only trip to the North Shore of Minnesota in mid June.

Just curious, why do you phrase it this way, "first and only trip"?