North Shore Itinerary
Minnesota’s North Shore on Lake Superior is a world away. (but really less than 3 hours from Minneapolis) We spent a weekend chasing waterfalls in this remote region of the state.
Minnesota Highway 61 follows Lake Superior’s rugged coastline from Duluth to Canada. As Midwesterners, we have been up and down the coast many times. Our Golden Guide to the North Shore has all of our favorite stops.
GOLDEN GUIDES ITINERARY
DAY ONE: SATURDAY
We hit the road bright and early Saturday morning. With the car packed the night before we’re able to hop in the car and go!
1. Betty’s Pies, Two Harbors
It’s a tradition to stop by Betty’s Pies first thing. We have a quick lunch of wild rice and cheddar burgers with Swiss cheese, grilled onions, and chipotle mayo, and grab a pie to take to our Airbnb. Amazing!
Betty’s has been in business since 1957. They serve up a hearty breakfast as well.
2. Gooseberry Falls State Park, Two Harbors
There are many State Parks on the North Shore, Gooseberry Falls is the first one you’ll come across. With 5 waterfalls, many hiking trails, and picnic areas, it’s one of the most popular parks.
Just a few steps from the parking lot we easily reach the base of Gooseberry Falls. The water thundering down drowns out our voices.
The Upper and Middle Falls can be reached by a quick 30-minute hike. For a longer hike and more solitude, check out the Falls View Loop, a 60-minute hike that takes you to the Lower Falls as well.
3. Iona's Beach, Two Harbors
This hidden gem is not well marked, but work the effort to find it. The pink beach is also known as the singing beach. As the waves lap over the beach the rocks churn and sound like wind chimes. We lay down on the beach and let the sound wash over us.
It’s a short walk from the parking lot of the boat ramp right off HWY 61.
4. Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, Two Harbors
Here, we explore cobblestone beaches and adjacent forests. This park has many short trails and several vantage points for viewing the lighthouse. The iconic lighthouse is considered one of the most picturesque in the country.
5. Black Beach, Silver Bay
In Silver Bay, the jet-black sand beach is framed by red rock formations forming a dramatic backdrop. We look for agates and beach glass.
6. Palisade Head Overlook, Silver Bay
About two miles north of Silver Bay watch for the Palisade Head Overlook. This scenic vista offers a great view of the towering rocks over Lake Superior. The rock formations date back over 1 billion years.
7. Tettegouche State Park, Silver Bay
We hiked to Baptism River Falls, a stunning, 70 ft waterfall.
From the park office, a trail follows the Baptism River and merges with the Superior Hiking Trail. At High Falls, the tallest waterfall completely in the state, it crosses a suspension bridge, heads back, and crosses again at Two Steps Falls. The path to the falls is lush with trees and other vegetation. You can stand very near the lip of the falls as it goes crashing over, then walk up the path and cross the river on a little bridge above the falls.
And don't miss the .5-mile trail to Shovel Point, where basalt headlands form a coastline that looks more like northern California than Minnesota. The view, which includes Palisade Head to the south, is incomparable.
8. Airbnb Home, Lutsen
We love to camp in this area, but this time we stayed in a sweet Airbnb perched on Lake Superior.
It’s remote up here and dining options are limited. Tonight we get cozy and we make dinner in our Airbnb.
Knowing how hungry we would be after a day of hiking, we made our favorite dip ahead of time so we could just pop it in the oven for a quick snack while we prepared dinner.
Our Elote Sweet Corn Dip is a cheese lover’s dream. Plus the ingredients do double-time as toppings for our dinner; Spicy Bean Campfire Chili. Our hearty vegetarian version is thick and loaded with protein. We like it with our Skillet Jalapeño Cornbread, also made ahead.
The North Shore has one of the darkest skies in the world. Before bed, we go outside and lay on the flat rocks, still warm from the sun, to gaze at the brilliant night sky. We settle into bed and are lulled to sleep by waves crashing to shore.
DAY 2: SUNDAY
The next day we get up early and make a quick breakfast of toasted grainy bread slathered with our Herb and Garlic Spread. We eat alfresco, perched on a rock overlooking the vast lake.
9. Artist Point, Grand Marais
In the town of Grand Marais, we walk to Artist Point, a formation of rock with 360-degree views of the water.
10. Voyageur Brewing Co., Grand Marais
We grab lunch at this craft brewery with great views of Lake Superior and a rooftop deck. We can’t pass up Cheese Curds, and here they are hand-dipped in their own beer batter and fried to golden. Arugula Salads with Blue Cheese round out our meal and then we set out to explore the town.
We shop in the Voyager Brewing Store for some cute campy gifts and pick up some of their Indian Pale Ale, Devils Kettle, with “hints of pine”.
11. Upstate MN, Grand Marais
Another shop we love is Upstate MN with its modern, Northwoods collection of artist-made goods. From abstract, handwoven beach towels, and soft wool sweaters, to hand-forged jewelry, their one-of-a-kind pieces are truly unique.
12. Devils Kettle Falls, Judge Magney State Park, Hovland
In Judge Magney State Park, the Brule River tumbles down a 50-foot cliff. We hiked the 2.5-mile roundtrip trail to the Devil’s Kettle Waterfall. The trail skirts the river, then climbs high above the gorge before descending to the base of the Lower Falls. With 200 stairs to climb, this hike is a little more challenging but worth the effort.
13. High Falls of Pigeon River, Grand Portage
In Grand Portage State Park, on the Canadian border, you’ll find a 120 ft waterfall. The easy 0.5-mile walk from the parking lot to the viewing platforms is flat and paved. Making it very accessible. This is truly a sight to see.
A perfect way to end our journey. We head home with new memories of a great time together.