Highlighting Minnesota's North Shore Scenic Drive

The North Shore Drive (aka Highway 61) is a 150 mile scenic drive beginning in Duluth and ending in Grand Portage, Minnesota.  There are so many things to see and do … waterfalls, state parks, lighthouses, historic sites, tunnels, and lots of recreational opportunities.   We have printed a mile-by-mile guide off the Internet and are ready to see the sights and sounds of this “Superior” scenery.  Our tour begins in Duluth, Minnesota …

0.00 Canal Park in Duluth:  Canal Park is home to three lighthouses and the Aerial Lift Bridge.  The bridge was originally built in 1905 and upgraded in 1929–30 to the current lifting design and continues to operate today (up to 25-30 times every day).   

Aerial Lift Bridge

Refer to my Blog Post on Canal Park for more photos and information by clicking the following link:
Canal Park in Duluth MN
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5.2 Scenic 61: We take the North Shore scenic road toward Two Harbors.  It follows the Lake Superior shoreline and is about the same distance as taking the highway to Two Harbors.  If you have the time, this is a slower pace alternative to the highway.

24.0 Two Harbors:  Tonight, we are staying at the Two Harbors Lighthouse B&B.  Our second floor room (Harbor Room) has a view of the iron ore docks and a partial view of Lake Superior.  Across the hall is the Forest Room which is reputed to be haunted by a ghost but mostly vivid imaginations help to keep the "spirit" alive.  Construction on the Lighthouse began in 1891 and was lighted in 1892.  It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

Two Harbors Lighthouse

During our mid-May visit, many restaurants along the North Shore are not open for the season.  We have dinner at Carmody's Bar & Grill on US-61 (aka 7th Avenue).  We sit in a corner booth. I order a Grown-Up Grill Cheese sandwich with sweet potato fries and my hubby has a turkey & cheese sandwich with onion rings ($21.22 + tip).   The food was good but the service was slow. 

Before leaving Two Harbors, we stop at the Duluth & Iron Range Depot.  Train buffs will enjoy this museum and seeing the locomotives on display.            

Duluth & Iron Range Depot

Across the street from the train museum are the ore docks where freighter watching is a favorite activity.

Two Harbors Ore Dock, Freighter, & Pier Light

30.0 Silver Creek & LaFayette Bluff Tunnels   Hwy 61 includes two rock-blasted tunnels - the Silver Creek Cliff Tunnel is 1,344 feet long and was completed in 1994 and further up the road is the Lafayette Bluff Tunnel.  

Silver Creek Cliff Tunnel

Highway 61 Scenery

39.5 Gooseberry Falls State Park:  There is not an entrance fee to this section of Gooseberry Falls State Park (officially opened in 1937). The park is known for its rocky Lake Superior shoreline, five waterfalls, Gooseberry River and gorge, Agate Beach and the ancient lava flow known as the Picnic Flow. The waterfalls are in three sections – the Upper Falls, Middle Falls, and Lower Falls (total drop over 100 feet). 

Gooseberry Falls State Park - Middle Falls

Refer to my Blog Post on Gooseberry Falls State Park for more photos and information by clicking the following link:
Gooseberry Falls State Park

43.5 Split Rock Lighthouse Scenic Overlook:  Split Rock Overlook offers an easy way to see the famous lighthouse.  If you are short on time but want to see it – this is your chance.

View from Highway 61 Overlook

46.0 Split Rock Lighthouse State Park: This lighthouse is a North Shore landmark and probably one of the most recognizable U.S. lighthouses.  It sits on a rocky bluff high above Lake Superior.  Construction of the lighthouse and 45’ tall tower were completed in 1909/1910.

Split Rock Lighthouse State Park

50.0 Beaver Bay:  Here is a good place to see the roadside view of the Beaver River cascading down to Lake Superior.

Beaver River Cascades

Beaver River flowing into Lake Superior

57.0 Palisade Head:  A narrow paved road winds its way up to a parking area at the top (certain vehicles are not able to negotiate this road).  We are at the highest point in Minnesota with a 180 degree view of Lake Superior and Shovel Point (Tettegouche State Park).  

View of Shovel Point from Palisade Head

58.5 Tettegouche State Park:   Established in 1979 to preserve natural features and important historical and cultural features, this 9,000 acre park is best known for Shovel Point, the Baptism River, Palisade Head, and Lake Superior.  There are lots of hiking and cross-country skiing opportunities making this park a year ‘round favorite.  

High Falls in Tettegouche State Park

Refer to my Blog Post on Tettegouche State Park for more photos and information by clicking the following link:
Tettegouche State Park

70.0 Caribou Falls:  The access and parking for Caribou Falls is at the Caribou State Wayside rest area.   It is an easy 3/4 mile hike to Caribou Falls (35’ high).  The trail is a gentle ascent through a birch forest and ends in a series of steps.  At the base of Caribou Falls is a pool created by the confining canyon walls.  

Caribou Falls

Refer to my Blog Post on Caribou Falls for more photos and information by clicking the following link:

Caribou Falls

73.3 Sugarloaf Cove:  The Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center was founded in 1993 to protect and restore Sugarloaf Cove.    There is a visitor center and a one mile nature trail. 

Sugarloaf Cove

Refer to my Blog Post on Sugarloaf Cove for more photos and information by clicking the following link:
Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center

79.0 Cross River:  Our next stop is a roadside waterfall at Cross River.  We see the granite cross at the mouth of Cross River where Father Baraga landed his canoe during a storm in October of 1846. 

Cross River Falls

Granite Cross

Right across the road from the Cross River Falls is a bakery that sells sandwiches/wraps and pizzas/calzones.  We order a 3 item thick pizza ...  yummy! 

80.5 Temperance River State Park:  Established as a state park in 1957, this park contains lakes, waterfalls, a beach on Lake Superior, and lots of hiking trails.  Here, the river drops 162 feet in its last half mile creating a series of cascades and small waterfalls.   

Temperance River

There are two campgrounds and lots of hiking opportunities.  Since this park is halfway between Duluth and Grand Portage, it makes a good spot to use as a base camp while exploring the North Shore.  

Refer to my Blog Post on Temperance River State Park for more photos and information by clicking the following link:
Temperance River State Park MN

90.1 Lutsen Resort:   The current lodge was built in the 1950's after a fire burned the previous lodge. Included among our many interests are covered bridges.  The resort property has two of them - a small one over a cascading waterfall and a longer one at the mouth of the Poplar River where it empties into Lake Superior.

Lutsen Resort from Covered Bridge

Second Covered Bridge

We have a reservation for tonight at the Lutsen Resort.  The main lodge is full but we get a room in the Poplar River Condos ($116 + tax). In the main lodge, we have a late dinner at the pub (it is open later than the on-site restaurant).    

100.0 Cascade River State Park:  This 2,865 acre park contains the Cascade River, Lake Superior shoreline, and Spruce & Cutface Creeks.  We walk a short trail (maybe 2/10's of a mile) and another 55 stairs to reach a bridge that crosses the river where the falls can be seen. 

Cascade River

The Park has a picnic area and backpacking camp sites.       

104.0  Cutface Creek Wayside Park: We make a brief stop here to get out of the car and stretch our legs and enjoy the view.        

Cutface Creek Wayside Park

110.0 Grand Marais:  Since we are lighthouse lovers, we stop in Grand Marais to photograph the pier light.  It is identical to the pier light in Michigan’s Grand Marais. 

Grand Marias Pier Light

110.5 Gunflint Scenic Byway:  Just north of Grand Marais is where the Gunflint Scenic Byway begins.  The 57 mile long road (CR- 12) has a couple of scenic overlooks, lots of forests, lakes, and hiking trails.  

Beginning of Gunflint Scenic Byway

Refer to my Blog Post on the Gunflint Scenic Byway for more photos and information by clicking the following link:

Gunflint Scenic Byway

118.7 Kadunce River:  Lake Superior is much calmer today. The waves are gently lapping against the cobblestones that cover the curving shoreline.  After we see the beach, we cross the road and hike a portion of the Kadunce River trail.  The steadily upward dirt trail parallels the Kadunce River.  It goes through a forest but the trees are blocking the view.  We can see a few small cascades and we get a glimpse a waterfall through the trees.  We decide our time is better spent doing something else. 

Lake Superior Cobblestone Beach

Kadunce River

123.8 Judge Magney State Park:  Established in 1957, the park was originally named Brule River State Park.  In 1963, it was renamed the Judge Magney State Park and contains 4,642 acres … and a mystery known as Devil's Kettle.  It is here where half the river drops 50 feet and continues toward Lake Superior and the other half disappears into a huge pothole.  No one knows where this water goes.  I love a good mystery, don’t you?

Devil's Kettle Falls

Refer to my Blog Post on Judge Magney State Park for more photos and information by clicking the following link:  
Judge Magney State Park

124.0 Naniboujou Lodge:  The lodge was named after the Cree spirit of the woods.  Construction began in 1928 and the Naniboujou Lodge opened in the summer of 1929 … and then the stock market crashed and so did the high hopes for this grandiouse lodge.   Today, the lodge operates on a seasonal basis and offers a quiet retreat to refresh the mind and soul.  The exterior features towers, cedar shake siding, dormers and French doors.  The interior is a mix of Native American and Art Deco influences.  The lodge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Front of Lodge

Back of Lodge

Dining Room

144.0 Grand Portage National Monument: The Grand Portage is an 8.5 mile path used to bypass waterfalls and rapids on the Pigeon River before it flows into Lake Superior.  During our May visit, the historic fur-trade fort & Indian Village was closed for the season.  

Grand Portage National Monument

Refer to my Blog Post on Grand Portage National Monument for more photos and information by clicking the following link:  
Grand Portage National Monument

150.4 Grand Portage State Park:  Located one-half mile from the US/Canadian border this park has Minnesota’s highest waterfall aptly named High Falls (estimated to be 120 feet high). There are a couple of platforms along the wooden stairway that parallels the river. 

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High Falls - Grand Portage State Park

Refer to my Blog Post on Grand Portage State Park for more photos and information by clicking the following link:  
Grand Portage State Park - High Falls

This is the end of the road for us. We begin our 150 mile drive south on Highway 61 back to Duluth.

To view a detailed Mile-By-Mile Guide of the North Shore Road (PDF), click on the following link:

North Shore Mile By Mile Guide