|
|
Travel Articles by Rick Byerly
Driving Guide for the North Shore of Lake Superior in Minnesota
by Rick Byerly
When driving Scenic Highway 61 make sure to drive slow and stop often! As soon as you start leaving Duluth you will be welcomed by many views of Lake Superior on the right. On the eastern edge of Duluth you can stop at the Visitor Information Booth at Lester River on your right to pick up some handy information, including the "North Shore Scenic Drive" pamphlet. It has great mileage info for the major stops along the way and their website is LakeSuperiorDrive.Com. Make sure to stay right on the scenic drive as there is an expressway to Two Harbors you'll want to avoid!
In this area there will be many chances to pull off the road to the right as well as parks and rest areas. In the winter you may well see enormous ice shelves that the winds have brought there and that you must stop for as you might even see some blue ice! Regardless of the season the views of Lake Superior are breathtaking. There are very reasonable lodging options just N.E. of Duluth along 61 and I recommend staying at either Beachway Motel in the summer or Cape Superior Inn year round for modest, no frills accommodations. Staying there will give you the freedom to drive and walk along the shore. Right next to the Cape Superior Inn is the Lakeview Castle where you can eat good food at reasonable prices. There are many options in the area. If you fish you can check out the most popular river in the area, the French River, which is stocked by the Minnesota DNR so you'll see a lot of fisherpeople where it empties into the Lake. You can get a fishing license online at the MN DNR Site. Two Harbors is only around 13 miles from the Lakeview Castle so I would head towards there next. About 5 miles along 61 Scenic North you will see a sign for Tom's Logging Camp on your left and you will want to turn right onto "Stoney Point Road" as it hugs the coast and provides great views. Drive slow and watch for potholes! Stoney Point Road will bring you right back onto 61 where you then take a right resume your scenic 61 drive. A few miles further will bring you to Russ Kendall's Smoke House which is a good stop for smoked fish. 4 more miles brings you to Two Harbors where there are plenty places to eat, stay (if you've moved on), and explore. Follow the sign the lighthouse where you turn right to head to the waterfront. The road meanders past where the Edna G tugboat is to the lighthouse and parking lots. You may be lucky and see one of the great carriers docked for loading. You can check the following website for shipping schedules, DuluthBoats. Walking out on the breakwater is recommended!
Two Harbors has plenty of places to stay if you want to stick around. Check out my links page for lodging for the entire North Shore here, NorthShoreLinks. Just under 3 miles ahead on the left back on 61 is the pie mecca, Betty's Pies. No North Shore trip is complete without it! Over 10 miles ahead is the next major stop, Gooseberry Falls State Park, which you won't want to miss. From the falls to where the river empties into Lake Superior you could spend days here exploring. Around 6 miles ahead is Split Rock Lighthouse and State Park. To get a better view of the lighthouse then entering through the building just before it I recommend walking the trails. When your're right in front of the lighthouse I think the views are obstructed by all the fencing. The view before you reach the lighthouse on the right along the coast does much better justice to it's stature.
Back on 61 for four more miles and you reach the town of Beaver Bay with a motel and shops to check out, including Beaver Bay Agate Shop, featuring the best agate gems from the North Shore. Four miles ahead just before the town of Silver Bay is a regional park on the right with water access. There are a few places to stay in Silver Bay but I would drive a little further. Two miles past Silver Bay is an easily overlooked trail marker on the right which just says, Palisade Head. There are a few places to park and then head up the short, paved trail to a giant cell tower and then just past that is one of he best vistas seen of Lake Superior. Back on 61 for 2.5 miles will bring you to the majestic Tettegooche State Park. Whispering Pines Motel is just past the park on the left on 61 and it is a great place stay if you're not camping. Tettegooche has easy access to beautiful views of the Baptism River emptying into The Lake and there are plenty of trials to hike. Driving further in will get you closer the trail which reveals the waterfalls of the Baptism.
After Tettegooche you have an interesting place 15 miles ahead. Sugarloaf Interpretive Trail combines the understanding of the history of the region with the natural beauty throughout the trail. Even more amazing still 5 miles ahead is Temperance River State Park and it has the most bang for the buck in terms of the number of falls packed into a short walking distance. There are many larger trails to pick up there as well, including Carlton Peak. Two and a half miles further is Bluefin Bay on the right if you're looking for a good restaurant and/or place to stay. Seven miles ahead brings you to the Sawtooth Mountains of Lusten where you can find skiing. Cascade River State Park is 10 miles ahead with many trails and easy access to the falls. Grand Marais is ten miles ahead and you can spend weeks upon weeks here. From the beauty of the harbor to all of the parks in every direction there is so much here. You can pick up The Gunflint Trail here and drive North on 12 for another look at the Northwoods as well. GunflintTrail is a site you should check out. There are plent of places to stay and eat here! My Sister's Place right on 61 is a great place to grab a burger and the Gunflint Tavern in town caters to tourists with a diverse menu. Put aside time to walk every part of the town and the harbor. Walk towards the breakwater and the small island that reaches out on the Lake.
Heading on 61 again you will see many rivers and chances to stop and throw a line in or view the beauty. 14 miles closer to Canada will bring you to Judge CR Magney State Park where you will want to spend some time! Interesting lava rock and that the Brule River has and is carving out is worth the hike! Devil's Kettle Falls is something very much worth the elevation gain as far as the hiking effort goes. The Brule River has a special trout season if you're motivated to make the hike!
Back on 61 for 27 more miles will bring you to the Canadian Border. Crossing the border is not necessary unless your plan is to travel on to the city of Thunder Bay which will require more time to drive and take in. Just before the border checkpoint booths you will see a sign to turn left to Grand Portage State Park. The trail from the parking lot will bring you to the Pigeon River and breathtaking views of the 130 foot High Falls. If you have more time and want to get "lost" and experience Middle Falls you can take another trail near where the restroom is, close to High Falls.
While this is the end of the run from Duluth to Grand Portage this does not begin to encompass al that is to be experienced along the Northshore of Lake Superior in Minnesota. And remember the drive back brings more opportunities to experience the natural beauty of this amazing region.
Remember my helpful links for your trip here, NorthShoreLinks.
Enjoy!
Rick Byerly
Other North Shore MN articles and info from Rick Byerly here.
Rick Byerly is a fine art digital and film photographer, knowledgeable and experienced in internet security and privacy, and maintains his own websites.
 |
|
|
|