The North Shore of Minnesota has what no other place in the Midwest can offer -- an inland sea, a mountain backdrop, an unspoiled wilderness, and a unique feeling all its own. The North Shore is a place that you will want to come back to again and again.
Drive the North Shore Scenic Drive from Duluth to the Canadian Border, and along the way see some of the most spectacular scenery in the country. Enjoy the natural treasures of eight state parks and the Superior National Forest. The beautiful trails of the parks and the 200-mile Superior Hiking Trail offer unlimited opportunities to experience firsthand this magnificent landscape. If you want to enjoy the lake itself, charter fishing, sailing, kayaking, and excursion boats are popular alternatives to swimming in these scenic northern waters.
The rich history of the North Shore is deeply rooted in its plentiful natural resources. On the northern end of the Byway, visit Grand Portage National Monument, which features a reconstructed North-West Company fur-trading post. Stop in Grand Marais, a quaint harbor town that is the entrance to the Gunflint Trail, a paved trail leading inland to the Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness. At the southern end of the Byway, watch giant ore boats pull up to the docks at Two Harbors. Also visit a much smaller boat, the 100 year-old tugboat, The Edna G., which is displayed here. Learn the story of this area in small museums in Two Harbors and Tofte, as well as interpretive programs at the state parks.
Biking on Lake Superior's North Shore Scenic Drive
Winter Cruising along the North Shore of Lake Superior