30 Things to Do on the North Shore, MN (by a local guide!)
April 26, 2023
Looking for the best things to do on the North Shore? For the best hiking on the North Shore, incredible waterfalls, great food, beaches, and more on the North Shore, read on!
Why me? I’ve spent the last three years living on and exploring the North Shore in all seasons! I work as a sea kayaking guide and freelance outdoor writer, and have lived and worked in both Grand Marais and Two Harbors, MN. The North Shore is a beautiful place to visit, and I’m happy to show you some of my favorite spots & hidden gems!
30 Best Things to do on the North Shore of Minnesota
The North Shore, or the northern shore of Lake Superior in Minnesota, is one of the best places to vacation in the Midwest! Here you’ll find easily some of the best hiking in the United States, waterfalls, cozy Nordic-inspired towns, and so much more!
I’ve lived on the North Shore for almost three years now, and here are some of my favorite places to go and things to do:
Oh hi there! This post contains affiliate links! That means if you decide to make a purchase based on my recommendation, I make a small kickback at no additional cost to you. All reccomendations are my own!
Leave No Trace on the North Shore:
When recreating outdoors on the North Shore of Minnesota, it is important to pack out all trash including toilet paper and orange peels. Keep in mind that different areas have different LNT (Leave No Trace) expectations— on the North Shore you will encounter State Parks, State Forests, National Forests, and Wilderness Areas. Best practices vary from place to place.
There is not reliable cell service throughout some areas of the North Shore. Winters can be very harsh. Some hiking trails may be overgrown, slippery, or difficult. Plan adventures accordingly.
When recreating on the North Shore of Minnesota, you are recreating on the cultural homeland of the Grand Portage Ojibwe Indigenous Tribe. Keep in mind that all land in the area may have cultural, historical, and archeological significance. For this reason especially, leave everything as it was found.
Looking for more info on LNT on the North Shore? Check out these 9 Tips to Leave No Trace when recreating in Northern Minnesota!
Further LNT notes will be discussed under specific trailhead recommendations as necessary, including additional risks, permits, ect.
I have this sorted with my favorite must-do North Shore activities ranked closer to #1!
For a more complete guide to recreation on the North Shore including surrounding areas, an interactive map, and lesser-known attractions, check out my eBook Exploring the North Shore!
What should I pack for a trip to the North Shore?
Summers on Lake Superior can be chilly! I recommend dressing warmer than you expect!
- 2 lightweight, long hiking pants. I wear a size 8 and am short, and find the REI trailmade to be super flattering as well as the Kuhl freeflex.
- A pair of shorts, and yoga pants with pockets
- A fleece. Any fleece will do, but I really love my Patagonia Synchilla
- Wool baselayers. Five years of heavy paddling and my Smartwool baselayers are the only wool baselayers I’ve had that have really stood the test of time. For seven days, pack four baselayer tops.
- Study hiking boots. I like my Briger Mids. Working in outdoor retail I literally never had anyone try on these shoes and not buy them. Pair with Darn Tough hiking socks and pack at least five pairs. In the alpine areas, trekking poles are also a great choice!
- hiking sandals
- Quick dry shots: I like Patagonia Baggies
- A puffy jacket. It can be cool even in the summer near the lakeshore, especially evenings. My partner Andy (also a wilderness guide) swears by the Patagonia Nano Puff. I like my Helly Hansen Liftloft.
- If camping, a tent, packable sleeping bag (Nemo Disco) and pad (comfortable sleeping pad): Read my budget tent recommendations here!
- A day hiking pack: I love my Perimeter 35L. I was gifted this pack a few years back and it’s still my go-to day pack; a savvy packer can easily pack for a seven day hiking trip in this bag.
- A raincoat. I love the Moss Raincoat from Helly Hansen; It’s affordable, cute, and super durable.
- The Exploring the Midwest eBook Bundle!
30) Hike Oberg Mountain
Looking for one of the best easy hikes on the North Shore of Minnesota? Oberg Mountain is one of the best easy hikes on the North Shore, leading to both overlooks of Lake Superior and a classic, perfect circle overlook of an inland lake.
The perfect circle lake that is Oberg Mountain, shot on iphone & edited with my Lightroom mobile preset “Rainbow”, designed for editing sunset photos shot on whatever camera is in your pocket💕 Use the code NORTHSHORE20 for 20% off presets as a thank you for reading!
This hike is great in the summer but be warned! Come fall the parking lot fills and spills over to the point that almost 200-cars may be lined up down the road before 8 am. There are plenty of other, equally beautiful fall hikes in the area— I recommend skipping this one.
29) Grab Breakfast at Blue Water Café
Nestled in downtown Grand Marais with a Harbor View, Blue Water Cafe is the best spot to grab breakfast on the North Shore!
28) Hike Lutsen Mountains
Looking for a challenging hiking route? Check out the Superior Hiking Trail near Lutsen Mountains for some of the more difficult hiking and mountain biking on the North Shore.
I hike in a pair of Oboz Bridger Mids. The North Shore hiking trails are often more rugged than trails you see otherwise– I picked up a thru-hiker once who told me the Superior Hiking Trail is much harder than the Appalachian Trail. I like the Bridgers because they’re insulated, waterproof, with great traction and excellent ankle support.
But wait! You can take the gondola up and hike back down!
27) Stop in at Duluth Gear Exchange
Before you hit scenic Highway 61, stop in at Duluth Gear Exchange in downtown Duluth! Here, you can score some discounted used gear and pick up that raincoat you forgot at a fraction of the price of a new coat.
Have a backlog of gear you don’t use? Duluth Gear Exchange also also you to consign your gear and make a few dollars back off the gear you don’t use anymore!
26) Drive the Gunflint Trail
Looking for one of the prettiest scenic drives on the North Shore and the best place to see wildlife in the Midwest? A drive up the Gunflint Trail is your best chance to see foxes, lynx, wolves, moose, and more.
DRIVE SLOW ON THE GUNFLINT TRAIL! Every year moose are hit by cars. Please note that even though the Gunflint Trail is the best place to spot wildlife on the North Shore and in Grand Marais, it is not guaranteed and still rather unlikely that you see a moose. Most wildlife photographers in the area drive the trail many, many times in order to spot a moose even once. Your best chance of spotting wildlife is to go early in the morning, drive slowly, and be respectful of other drivers.
Note that it is best practice to never leave your vehicle when spotting wildlife and shoot only out your car window. If an animal changes its behavior because of you, you are too close. Moose, wolves, lynx, foxes, etc are wild animals. For the best place to see wildlife on the North Shore, head to the Duluth Zoo.
25) Hike to High Falls in Grand Portage
Looking to see one of the largest waterfalls (partially) in Minnesota? Head up to Grand Portage on the Canadian Border and hike the short, paved path to High Falls! This waterfall looks like something straight out of Iceland, and is one of the best easy hiking trails on the North Shore.
24) Stop at Coho Cafe
Coho Cafe has the best sandwiches you’ll eat probably ever, and is the perfect lunch treat after a long, hard day on the hiking trails!
23) Camp at Hungry Hippie Hostel
Looking for a unique place to camp in Grand Marais? Head up to Hungry Hippie Hostel just north of town for a beginner friendly camping or glamping experience. Rooms are also available, and the property has communal fire pits and beautiful views of Lake Superior from above!
22) Hike to Bean & Bear
SUMMER 2024 EDIT: Bean and Bear Lakes hike is closed as of May 15th 2024 for trail maintenance and campsite rehabilitation. There is still an SHT bypass for thru-hikers, but access to the lakes, overlooks, and campsites is restricted until further notice.
Looking for one of the more challenging (and popular!) hikes on the North Shore? This 6-7 mile route takes hikers up into the Sawtooth Highlands with overlooks of Lake Superior, Sliver Bay, and several overlooks of the iconic Bean & Bear Lakes.
Pictured above, my Grantie Gear 35L pack is the pack I use for longer day hikes. Granite Gear is local to Two Harbors, MN right on the North Shore. I was gifted this pack three years ago and still regularly use it and am considering buying one of the larger packs for backpacking trips. Granite Gear makes a really great, size-inclusive pack.
In the grand scheme of North Shore hikes, this route would be considered moderate in difficulty with some uphills and sections with difficult footing.
After hiking Bean & Bear, head into Timber Coffee in Silver Bay for a Bean & Bear Latte!
21) Hike Caribou Rock Trail
Caribou Rock Trail is tucked away up the Gunflint Trail and is easily the most difficult day hike in Minnesota— it’s also one of the most beautiful! Portions of this hike head through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness; day use permits are required.
This iconic hike starts out with a less than one mile hike to an east-facing overlook of Bearskin Lake. This is a great place to catch a sunrise. From here, continue on to the Moss Lake Overlook. Hiking just to the Moss Lake Overlook and back will put you at about three miles round trip of moderate hiking in the Superior National Forest (no permit required).
From left to right: 1) Rose Falls, the destination of the CRT. 2) The Bearskin Lake Overlook, accessible in the first mile. 3) The Moss Lake Overlook, accessible in 3-4 miles round trip.
For a more challenging hiking and to enter the BWCAW, continue on!
First, you will reach “the wall’— this is an almost straight drop in the trail with tree roots to scale. The first time I saw it, I literally did not believe that the trail went straight down like that and wondered if I was lost. You almost need ropes to scale the wall.
Be advised that the next three miles of trail to Rose Falls and the Rose Lake Overlooks are about as friendly looking as the wall. This is an incredibly difficult hike with no cell service over difficult terrain. Proceed with extreme caution.
Alternately, canoe in to Rose Falls and hike west on the Border Route Trail to Rose Lake Cliffs for a beautiful, but still difficult day trip.
20) Eat at Rustic Inn
Looking for the best place for pie on the North Shore? Swing by Rustic Inn at Castle Danger for some of the most incredible pie you’ll ever taste.
19) Hike Honeymoon Bluff
Honeymoon Bluff is a great easy day hike up the Gunflint Trail leading to a beautiful overlook! This is a great place to watch the sunset or to catch the Northern Lights if you’re extra lucky!
18) Canoe the BWCA
A Boundary Waters Canoe trip is the quintessential Minnesota adventure, and there’s no better place to start your trip than Grand Marais, Minnesota.
looking to plan a BWCA trip but don’t know where to start? Check out this detailed guide to planning your first Boundary Waters Canoe Trip!
17) Catch the Northern Lights
Did you know that Northern Minnesota is one of the best places to catch the Northern Lights in the lower 48!?
While still relatively uncommon, it is totally possible to catch an incredible northern lights show on the North Shore of Minnesota. Most common in the spring and fall near equinox, the North Shore is both dark enough and far enough north to see great Northern Lights shows!
The best places to see the Northern Lights on the North Shore are up the Gunflint Trail, Palisade Head Overlook, or any lake with open horizon to the North!
16) Visit Artist’s Point in Grand Marais
Looking for one of the most iconic lighthouse hikes on the North Shore? Head up to Grand Marais, Minnesota and check out Artist’s Point. Here, you can walk the breakwater or the tombolo trails and check out the Lighthouse itself and all of the fun boats moored in the harbor for the summer!
Pro Tip!! While Grand Marais is most often visited in the summer, the Winter is a wonderful time to visit as well. Dress warm & enjoy! In the meantime, check out 10 Winter Adventures in Grand Marais
15) Grab Coffee at Cedar Coffee Co
Looking for the perfect place to spend a summer afternoon socializing or grab a coffee? Head to Cedar Coffee Co in Two Harbors for some of the best lattes you’ll find on the shore, delicious food, a short hiking trail, and a fun bike shop to check out!
Lines can be long in summer months, but don’t worry! There’s plenty explore while you wait.
14) Backpack the Superior Hiking Trail
For one of the most hardcore adventures on the North Shore, backpack the Superior Hiking Trail! The Superior Hiking Trail is a 300-mile trail that runs from the Canadian Border down to Duluth along the ridges and highlands near Lake Superior!
Most of the best hiking on the North Shore is along the Superior Hiking Trail. Whether you tackle a day trip, a few nights, or carve out a month to tackle the whole trail, you’re sure to have an awesome experience on this difficult hiking trail!
Looking for a unique Superior Hiking Trail experience? Check out Boreal Backcountry Cabins, hike-in cabins accessible from Oberg Mountain Trailhead or Britton Peak Trailhead. These cabins are screened-in with well water, firepits and wood, with solar-powered lights and a place to charge your phone. These cabins are perfect for thru-hikers, glampers, and/or basecampers looking to explore a beautiful section of the Superior Hiking Trail.
New to backpacking? Check out this beginner guide to planning and packing for your first backpacking trip!
13) Visit Grand Portage National Monument
Grand Portage National Monument is one of the best places on the North Shore to learn about the Indigenous Ojibwe History in the area! Here, you can visit the interpretive fort, learn at the museum, and hike the beautiful Mount Rose hike to view the historic fort and Grand Portage Bay from above.
On a clear day, you can even see Isle Royale National Park in the distance!
12) Eat at Angry Trout
Tucked away on the Grand Marais waterfront, the Angry Trout serves delicious fresh fish, beautiful salads, wild rice, and more! This beautiful restaurant is easily one of the best places to eat on the North Shore, and perfect for a a romantic couples dinner.
11) Sauna at Sisu and Loyly Sauna in Grand Marais
Looking for the best sauna in Minnesota? Check out Sisu and Loyly Sauna right on Lake Superior in Grand Marais! This sauna offers both luxury private sessions and community style sauna!
Fun fact! I used to work here the first year they opened! The owner Katie is an incredible person, and this is one of my favorite jobs I’ve had to date! I used to live in the apartment (now Airbnb!) above the sauna lounge which was the easiest commute ever, and you can’t beat that view!
10) Hike or Ski Pincushion Mountain in Grand Marais
If you’re staying in Grand Marais, you must hike to Pincushion Mountain! This is a four-mile round trip relatively flat hike leading to a beautiful overlook of Lake Superior. Pincushion mountain hiking trail is the perfect place to watch the moonrise, and one of the best hiking trails on the North Shore.
Looking for a winter adventure? Pincushion Mountain also has some of the best cross country ski trails in the state of Minnesota!
9) Visit the Temperance River Gorge
For one of the best short and easy hikes on the North Shore, visit Temperance River Gorge! This dramatic series of waterfalls looks like something out of a fairytale, and has an intricate network of hiking trails to explore as well as several easier and shorter routes with stairs and beautiful bridges.
8) Hike to Magnetic Rock
Looking for one of the most magical day hikes on the North Shore? Head up the Gunflint Trail from Grand Marais to hike out to Magnetic Rock— a mysterious 30 ft tall standing stone in the woods that happens to be magnetic!
Magnetic Rock Trail at first snow vs Magnetic Rock Trial in the Fall!
This hike is a great place to spot moose, beaver, and other wildlife, and features several overlooks in addition to the Magnetic Rock. Parts of this hike go through the regrowth area of the Ham Lake Fire, making it extra otherworldly.
7) Swim in Lake Superior at Black Beach
One of the best places to have a picnic and a swim on the North Shore is Black Beach Park near Silver Bay! Here, you can find a campground, pretty island views, and icy cold water to take a dip in!
6) Stay and eat at Cascade Lodge
Cascade Lodge is located about 15 minutes south of Grand Marais, and walking distance from the beautiful Cascade River State Park! Between the location, the view, and the delicious food, Cascade Lodge is one of the best places to stay on the North Shore!
5) Hungry Hippie Tacos in Grand Marais
Fresh off the trails and looking for a filling and delicious meal? Head over to Hungry Hippie Taco in Grand Marais for fry bread tacos, tater tots, and an ice cold beer!
4) Backpack the Border Route Trail
Are you an experienced backpacker looking for a challenging but rewarding trail? Journey into the BWCA and strap on a backpack and hiking boots instead of a canoe! The 65-mile Border Route Trail (BRT) is one of the most beautiful backpacking trails in the country, featuring dramatic waterfalls, sweeping views, and some of the most difficult to follow terrain in North America!
This hike is not well maintained and has many areas with difficult footing. Some maps have the trail marked incorrectly. This backpacking trail is best attempted only by experienced backpackers. Permits are required in the BWCA.
3) Eat at Poplar Haus
Tucked halfway up the Gunflint Trail, Poplar Haus is one of the best-kept secrets on the North Shore! This delicious stop has unique and mouth watering menu items like duck wings, walleye, and wide selection of delicious cocktails.
2) Visit Split Rock Lighthouse
Did you know that Minnesota is home to one of the most iconic lighthouses in the United States? Split Rock Lighthouse State Park should be your very first stop on the North Shore! This photogenic lighthouse overlooks a cliff, and the dramatic shoreline is ripe for hiking.
In the summer months, take a tour of the historic lighthouse! Tackle any of the many miles of hiking trails around the State Park, or book one of the beautiful lakeside backpack-in campsites to camp in some of the best lakefront campsites on Lake Superior!
1) Hike Tettegouche State Park
The single best place to visit on the North Shore is Tettegouche State Park, in Silver Bay, Minnesota. This expansive park is home to the iconic High Falls waterfall, Palisade Head, the Shovel Point cliffside hiking trail, and miles more of trails and overlooks along the Superior Hiking Trail and beyond.
Tettegouche State Park is a great place for hikers, or anyone looking for some of the best hiking trails on the North Shore. You could spend an entire summer exploring Tettegouche and the surrounding trails alone, and still come up with more incredible hidden gems every day.
check out a detailed guide to hiking Tettegouche State Park!
Where to stay on the North Shore:
To stay on the southern half of the North Shore with access to places like Two Harbors, Gooseberry Falls, Split Rock Lighthouse, Duluth and Castle Danger, book at Larsmont Cottages or Grand Superior Lodge.
For best access to Tettegouche State Park, check out Black Beach Inn or Cove Point Lodge.
For best access to Grand Marais, Lutsen, and the hiking and waterfalls of the northern North Shore, check out Lutsen Sea Villas, Lutsen Mountain Inn, or Thomsonite Inn.
State park campgrounds are also a great option for overnight trips on the North Shore! Note that campgrounds often fill up months in advance!
Is the North Shore, Minnesota a good place to visit with kids?
The North Shore can be a great place to visit with kids! There are plenty of easy hiking trails and beaches that kids will love to check out! Keep in mind that in summer months it can be extremely busy— this means you may not be able to find a restaurant that can seat you quickly. In Grand Marais in the summer, expect wait times near one hour or more at most times of day.
Plan ahead and pack snacks!
What is the weather like on the North Shore of Minnesota?
Weather along the North Shore of Lake Superior can be wildly variable throughout the summer, and very cold in the winter. In the summer, expect for the mile closest to the Lake to be 10-20 degrees cooler than the temperature inland.
Plan for fog, rain, heat, and breezy days!
Are the bugs bad on the North Shore?
Yes.
Expect mosquitos and black flies May-September. I am sorry.
What is the best time of year to visit the North Shore of Minnesota?
The best time of year to visit the North Shore is the fall! I recommend coming sometime between the last week of September and second week of October on a weekday— weekends in the fall can be very very crowded with leaf peepers!
Everywhere along the shore peaks for fall color at a different time, and often times the maples and birch trees peak at different times. Roughly speaking, the area near Lutsen and the maples peak first, followed by the rest of the ridge and inland. The shore and the birch trees tend to peak last. Peaks of the different areas throughout the North Shore happen beginning end of September, and sometimes continue through the second and third week of October.
For a visit to the North Shore, you’ll want to pack a sturdy pair of hiking boots, non-cotton hiking pants, a wool or synthetic base layer top, a fleece mid layer, and a raincoat!
Forget your gear on the way up? Stop by Duluth Gear Exchange to shop used outdoor gear!
How worried do I need to be about Bears on the North Shore?
Medium! While you are unlikely to see a bear, wolf, lynx, or moose while hiking, definitely be bear smart when you store your food while camping. This means picking up all fallen food off the ground, and storing all food and smellable (toothpaste, bug spray) in a bear proof container and in a bear hang, and definitely not in your tent.
With this in mind, you definitely don’t need to be afraid of wildlife while hiking. The bears here are more scared of you than you are of them! Follow general wildlife safety and do not approach wildlife or get between a mother and cubs, and don’t stress too much while hiking! You are extremely unlikely to see wildlife on a hike.
Where can I learn more about hiking, free camping, and what to do on the North Shore?
Check out my eBook & interactive map Exploring the North Shore for free campsites, hidden waterfalls, detailed itineraries for all seasons, and off-the-beaten path adventures!
The interactive map that accompanies the Exploring the North Shore eBook!
Check out the Midwest Adventure eBook Bundle for over 300+ pages of detailed adventure planning including hidden waterfalls, the best campsites, off-the-beaten-path adventures, and more covering Sleeping Bear to the end of the Gunflint Trail and everything in-between!
Where should I explore next?
- For more on the North Shore, check out 13 Stunning Hikes on the North Shore
- To learn more about visiting the nearby Gunflint Trail, check out Six Best Hikes on the Gunflint Trail
- For off-the-beaten-path waterfalls, check out 8 Hidden Waterfalls on the North Shore
- For 30 Things to do in the Apostle Islands, click here
- For 30 Things to do in the Pictured Rocks, click here
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