How long is the North Shore of Lake Superior: Duluth to Grand Portage route?

This route takes 6 days taking in 6 stops.

Where does this route start and end?

The route runs from Duluth, Minnesota to Grand Portage, Minnesota in Minnesota, United States.

When is the best time to travel this route?

The best time to travel this route is June to October.

How active is this route?

Activity level: Active. Moderately active — expect some walking and light physical activity.

What transport do I need for this route?

This route works best with a car or a campervan.

What budget do I need for this route?

Mid-range spending — expect comfortable accommodation and a mix of dining options.

What type of accommodation suits this route?

Mixed accommodation works well along this route.

What is the pace of this trip?

Relaxed — plenty of time to linger at each stop.

What type of trip is this?

This route is well-suited to: Scenic, Nature, Classic road trip, Coastal, Adventure.

North Shore of Lake Superior: Duluth to Grand Portage

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The route · 6 stops

5 overnight bases · 1 stop on the way

Duluth

1 night

The lake-port gateway to the North Shore, where Highway 61 officially starts at Canal Park. Walk the Lakewalk, watch ore boats slide under the Aerial Lift Bridge, and stock up before the road narrows north. Duluth's hillside breweries and the Glensheen mansion are worth an evening.The lake-port gateway to the North Shore, where Highway 61 officially starts at Canal Park. Walk the Lakewalk, watch ore boats slide under the Aerial Lift Bridge, and stock up before the road narrows north. Duluth's hillside breweries and the Glensheen mansion are worth an evening.

Recommendations

45m · 54 km drive to Two Harbors

Two Harbors

1 night

The first true stretch of North Shore, anchored by two of Minnesota's best-loved state parks. Gooseberry Falls drops in tiers beside an easy riverside loop, and Split Rock Lighthouse stands on a cliff a few miles on, built after a run of shipwrecks. The Gitchi-Gami Trail links viewpoints between them.The first true stretch of North Shore, anchored by two of Minnesota's best-loved state parks. Gooseberry Falls drops in tiers beside an easy riverside loop, and Split Rock Lighthouse stands on a cliff a few miles on, built after a run of shipwrecks. The Gitchi-Gami Trail links viewpoints between them.

Recommendations

55m · 66 km drive to Tettegouche State Park

Tettegouche State Park

1 night

A rugged stretch where the Sawtooth Mountains meet the lake. Tettegouche holds the 70-foot High Falls of the Baptism River and miles of cliff-top trail, while nearby Palisade Head rises 200 feet straight from the water for one of the shore's great views. Silver Bay and Beaver Bay have rooms and food.A rugged stretch where the Sawtooth Mountains meet the lake. Tettegouche holds the 70-foot High Falls of the Baptism River and miles of cliff-top trail, while nearby Palisade Head rises 200 feet straight from the water for one of the shore's great views. Silver Bay and Beaver Bay have rooms and food.

Recommendations

40m · 48 km drive to Tofte

Tofte

1 night

The heart of the Sawtooth coast and a base for forest and waterfall walks. The Temperance River carves a deep, narrow gorge to the lake, the Cascade River tumbles in steps nearby, and the climb up Oberg Mountain gives the classic autumn view over Lake Superior. Lutsen's ski hills and gondola are minutes away.The heart of the Sawtooth coast and a base for forest and waterfall walks. The Temperance River carves a deep, narrow gorge to the lake, the Cascade River tumbles in steps nearby, and the climb up Oberg Mountain gives the classic autumn view over Lake Superior. Lutsen's ski hills and gondola are minutes away.

Recommendations

46m · 55 km drive to Grand Marais

Grand Marais

2 nights

The shore's coolest small town and the hub for the far north, worth two nights. A working harbour ringed by galleries, bakeries and the Artists' Point breakwater, it is also the gateway to the inland Gunflint Trail and the Boundary Waters. Use a day to paddle, hike or simply slow down.The shore's coolest small town and the hub for the far north, worth two nights. A working harbour ringed by galleries, bakeries and the Artists' Point breakwater, it is also the gateway to the inland Gunflint Trail and the Boundary Waters. Use a day to paddle, hike or simply slow down.

Recommendations

On the way

Grand Portage
58m · 70 km
The road's end at the Canadian border, and a fitting finale. Grand Portage State Park protects High Falls of the Pigeon River, at 120 feet the tallest in Minnesota, reached by an easy boardwalk. Grand Portage National Monument tells the Ojibwe and fur-trade story at the historic depot on the bay.The road's end at the Canadian border, and a fitting finale. Grand Portage State Park protects High Falls of the Pigeon River, at 120 feet the tallest in Minnesota, reached by an easy boardwalk. Grand Portage National Monument tells the Ojibwe and fur-trade story at the historic depot on the bay.
Recommendations

Route highlights

Activity
Gooseberry Falls State Park
The North Shore's most popular park, where the Gooseberry River steps down in upper, middle and lower falls within an easy walk of the visitor centre. Riverside and lakeshore trails suit all ages, and the falls run hardest in spring snowmelt and after rain.
Culture
Split Rock Lighthouse
A 1910 lighthouse perched on a 130-foot cliff above Lake Superior, built after a 1905 storm wrecked dozens of ships. Now a state historic site, it is one of the most photographed lighthouses in the country, with seasonal tours of the keeper's quarters and tower.
Viewpoint
High Falls of the Baptism River
At 70 feet, one of the tallest waterfalls entirely within Minnesota, set deep in Tettegouche State Park. A wooded trail of about 1.5 miles round trip leads to a footbridge with a head-on view of the cascade, best in autumn when the birches turn.
Viewpoint
Palisade Head
A sheer rhyolite cliff rising 200 feet straight from Lake Superior, reached by a short, steep road off Highway 61. The clifftop gives one of the widest views on the shore, north along the Sawtooth coast and, on a clear day, across to the Apostle Islands.
Activity
Oberg Mountain hike
A 2.3-mile loop above Tofte that is widely held to be the finest fall-colour hike on the North Shore. Nine overlooks ring the summit with views over the maple-covered Sawtooth ridges and out to Lake Superior, blazing red and gold from late September.
Viewpoint
Grand Marais Harbor and Artists' Point
The rocky breakwater and harbour at Grand Marais, a working fishing and arts town named America's coolest small town by Budget Travel. Artists' Point is an easy walk over wave-smoothed bedrock to the lighthouse, a favourite spot for sunrise over the lake.
Viewpoint
High Falls of the Pigeon River
At 120 feet, the tallest waterfall in Minnesota, on the Pigeon River that forms the border with Ontario. A half-mile boardwalk in Grand Portage State Park reaches a viewing platform across from the thundering drop, accessible to most visitors.
Culture
Grand Portage National Monument
A reconstructed fur-trade depot and Ojibwe heritage centre on Grand Portage Bay, marking the historic carry around the Pigeon River rapids into the interior. Costumed interpreters, a stockade and a great hall tell the story of the North West Company era.

North Shore of Lake Superior: Duluth to Grand Portage