There are a boatload of waterfalls, overlooks, and trails among other thrilling things to see on Minnesota’s North Shore. Enjoy 7 jam packed days with our guide of all our favorite spots. All you need is a Minnesota State Park pass and your hiking shoes.
We loved our rustic Airbnb’s. We stayed in Grand Marais for 4 nights and Two Harbors for 3 nights. However, the Woodsy Cabin in Grand Marais was a little more of a drive down a long of dirt road than we expected. Also, forewarning the Silver Creek Cottage in Two Harbors does not have central air conditioning if you plan to go in the dead of Summer.
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Must Have Items for Thrilling Things to See on Minnesota’s North Shore
Womens Hiking Shoe
Cleats
Mens Hiking Shoe
Gallon Water Bottle
Camelbak for Hydration
Best Camera Phone
Day 1 of Thrilling Things to See on Minnesota’s North Shore:
Leaving the Twin Cities at 10 am will set you on track to arrive at the Woodsy Cabin in Grand Marais with time to kill in the evening. Our drive was 247 miles and 4.5 hours with out any stops. Taking time to stop and explore all five of these beautiful places listed below we still arrived between 5 and 6. We recommend plugging in each stop to google maps before you head out to make it easier.
Stop 1: Amity coffee
- Close to the Highway in Duluth
- Great bathroom
- Small but cute coffee shop
- Delicious Americano and Carmel Latte
Stop 2: Beaver Bay Falls
- Large parking lot directly off Highway 61
- Short hike down to the falls
- Multiple trails to get you down there (you don’t have to take a steep one)
- Roughly a 30 foot tall waterfall
Stop 3: Illgen Falls
- Parking lot on the side of Hwy 1
- .5 mile hike in Tettegouchee State Park
- 40 foot waterfall
- Cliff jumping
- Overgrown plants
Stop 4: Cross River Falls
- Can see while driving off Hwy 61 mile marker 78.9
- Parking lot next to the bridge with bathrooms
- Feel the spray of the waterfall
- Father Baraga Memorial plaque
Stop 5: Father Baraga Cross
- Short drive from highway 61 mile marker 78
- Next to Cross River and Lake Superior
- Rocks to climb on
Awesome Travel Luggage
Best Hard Shell Bag
Cute Backpack
Collapsible Kennel
Must Read: Top Hiking Trails in Minneapolis
Day 2 of Thrilling Things to See on Minnesota’s North Shore:
Coffee at Java Moose
- In downtown Grand Marais
- Views of Lake Superior
- Giant Smore Latte and Salted Carmel Latte for the win
Artists Point
- Short walk on a pier with rocks around it
- Lighthouse
- Get out before 10am to avoid crowds (can be windy and cold)
- Many views of the Grand Marais landscape
Devils Kettle
- Inside Judge C. R. Magney State Park mile marker 123.8
- Well paved and wide trails
- Two cascades
- Many view points
- On the Brule River
- Tallest waterfall is a 50 foot drop
- Quick hike
- Drops 800 feet in an 8-mile span
Water Hiking
Water Hiking Shoe
Waterproof Case
Waterproof Backpack
Thrilling thing to see on Minnesota’s North Shore: Kadunce River Trail
- Mile marker 118 on Hwy 61
- Paved trail above the river
- Wade through the river the entire way for best views when the water is low
- Unexpected waterfalls to climb to when your on the above trail
Must Read: Explore Waterfalls and Parks in Minneapolis
Day 3 of Thrilling Things to See on Minnesota’s North Shore:
Cascade State Park
- Directly Off highway 61 at mile marker 99.8
- 5 waterfalls in a short hike
- Can get really crazy close to the waterfalls
- First waterfall is right off the parking lot
- Hike lookout Mountain for a longer trail like we did!
North Shore Winery
- Located off Ski Hill Road in Lutsen
- Views of Lake Superior in the distance
- Loads of comfortable outdoor seating
- Dog friendly outdoors
- Try it all with Sawtooth Mountains Cider and North Shore Winery flights
- Our favorites were the Razzzzz and Porchin’ cider
Day 4 of Thrilling Things to See on Minnesota’s North Shore:
Susie’s Island Overlook
- Bathrooms
- 13 islands off the coast of lake Superior
- 120 feet above the lake
- Quick drive in Grand Portage
Hike to Middle Falls in Grand Portage State Park
- Inside Grand Portage State Park mile marker 150.8 directly before the Canadian border
- Middle Falls is significant hike for a small pay off (do middle falls first to not be disappointed)
- On the Canadian border
- Bring bug spray
- 5 mile out and back round trip with 300 foot elevation gain each way
- Well paved
Hike with Your Pooch
Waist Leash
No Pull Harness
Water Bowl and Bottle
The Tallest MN Waterfall: High Falls
- Tallest waterfall in MN
- Not to be confused with High Falls in Tettegouchee State Park
- High Falls is handicap accessible about a mile round trip
- Canada is on the other side of the waterfall
Thrilling Things to see on Minnesota’s North Shore: Driftwood Yard
- Unique yard
- Seen off Hwy 61 (you cant miss it)
Voyageur Brewing Company
- Dog friendly patio and rooftop
- Lake Superior views
- Great assortment in their flight
- The Blonde and Hazy IPA was our favorite
- Excellent pulled pork tacos and cheese curds
- Roof top sells beer only
Must Read: Wisconsin Waterfall State Park Near the Twin Cities
Day 5 of Thrilling Things to See on Minnesota’s North Shore:
Pack up and head to Two Harbors. Remember to plug in each stop on google maps before you head out. It is 84 miles 1.75 hours in the car. However, we took off by 10 am, and didn’t arrive to our Airbnb until 3:30pm. We put on about 4 miles of hiking in between.
Stop 1: Oberg Loop
- 7 scenic Outlooks
- Relatively easy well groomed hike
- Steep drop offs
- Picnic spots
Stop 2 of Thrilling Things to see on Minnesota’s North Shore: Temperance State Park Waterfall
- Mile marker 80.4
- A lot to explore right off the highway
- Under the Hwy 61 bridge is the best if the river is not too high
Stop 3: Caribou Falls
- Hwy 61 mile marker 70.7
- Off the Superior hiking trail
- 35 foot waterfall
- Follow the river to the falls (muddy), then follow the marked trail back making it a 1.1 mile hike
- Many stairs
Stop 4: North Shore Scenic Overlook in Silver Bay
- Follow the many signs that say Scenic Overlook in Silver Bay (a few turns to get there)
- Short hike (less than .25 mile) to Lake Superior view
- 3 Overlooks with signs
Day 6 of Thrilling things to see on Minnesota’s North Shore:
High Falls to Two Step Falls
- In Tettegouchee State Park
- Swinging Bridge (careful for your pups paws because the holes are large and grated. We carried ours.)
- High Falls on Baptism River is 70 feet and Two Step Falls is 15 feet
- Take a dip in the water
- Many stairs to get from each waterfall
Cascade Falls
- Short hike from Tettegouchee State Park Campground Parking lot
- Views of Lake Superior
- Hike there from High Falls
- Smaller rolling river waterfall
- Out and back hike
Shovel Point
- Park at the Tettegouchee Visitors Center for the shortest hike
- Many stairs
- A lot of look out points along the way
- Picnic spots
- Out and back hike
Drive Palisade Head for Thrilling Things to see on Minnesota’s North Shore
- Can also hike in to there
- Narrow dirt road with large parking lot to get out and explore
- Gorgeous views of Lake Superior
Day 7 of Thrilling things to see on Minnesota’s North Shore:
Iona’s Beach
- Short hiking trail to get there
- Pink rock beach that is known for singing
- Largest beach in the area
- Located on the Gitchi Gami Trail
Gooseberry Falls
- 5 Waterfalls in less than a 5 mile loop
- On the shore of Lake Superior
- Home of Agate Beach
Agate Beach
- Great pier with lighthouse
- Large parking lot
- Excellent spot to watch the sunset
Castle Danger Brewery
- Next to historic railroad cars
- Located in downtown Two Harbors
- Ample tables
- Live Music
Road Trip Essentials for Thrilling things to see on Minnesota’s North Shore
Collapsible Cooler with Wheels
Protect your Backseat
Electric Car Blanket
Day 8 on the Way Home
Empire Coffee
- Located in downtown Superior Wisconsin
- Delicious Frappes
Pattison State Park
- WI State Park you will need a WI State Park pass
- Big Manitou Falls is the tallest waterfall in Wisconsin
- Two significant waterfalls you can park and walk up to both
More Thrilling Things to See on Minnesota’s North Shore
- Add to day 3: Devils Track River Grand Marais mile marker 114 (Looks like a beautiful hike along the river.)
- Add to day 4: St Josephine Tower Trail Grand Portage
- Add to day 1-5 while in Grand Marais: Fall River Waterfall mile marker 107 (Hopefully they are done with construction soon to see be able to see it easily.)
- Add to day 5 for your first stop to Two Harbors: Poplar River Waterfalls in Lutsen (We did not have luck finding this. However, the article in this link will be helpful.)
- Add to day 5-8: Split Rock Light house