Northern Minnesota is one of the best places in the wold to experience fall color. Whether you love incredible hiking trails, overlooks of Lakes, or romantic backroads, the North Shore has a perfect fall activity for you. From hard hikes to scenic drives, here are five incredible places to see fall color on Minnesota’s North Shore:

Best Fall Color Hikes & Locations on Minnesota’s North Shore

The first thing to know about fall color on the North Shore is that different places reach peak fall color at different times. Places right by Lake Superior will peak last, yellow birch peak after maples, and the stunning red maples near Lutsen and Tofte tend to peak first. Peak varies year by year, but generally anywhere between the second to last week in September to the third week in October you will be able to find spectacular fall color somewhere along the North Shore.

The two most popular fall color hikes on the North Shore are Oberg Mountain in Tofte, Minnesota, and Bean & Bear Lake near Tettegouche. Both of these hikes are beautiful, but in the Fall you’re likely to find yourself as one of hundreds (yes, hundreds) of cars in the overflowing parking lot. There’s also a decent chance you’ll have to wait in a long line for a chance to see the iconic lake overlooks.

Luckily, the North Shore is full of equally beautiful but lesser known places to see fall color. Here are five beautiful spots for fall color that aren’t Oberg Mountain.

Leave No Trace on the North Shore of Minnesota:

Leave No Trace is the set of outdoor recreation principles developed in order to minimize environmental impact when recreating outdoors and ensure that the trails remain intact for everyone to enjoy!

Specific Leave No Trace guidance varies from region to region! For example, in some areas hikers are required to carry out solid waste (poop) rather than dig a cathole. In other areas it is highly imperative that you stay on the designated trail. Still in other areas, managing bodies and tourism boards specifically request that visitors please not geotag, or share locations on social media.

The geotagging/gatekeeping debate is contentious, but if a managing body of an outdoor space specifically and formally requests a certain behavior be avoided—whether it is stacking rocks, going off trail, bringing dogs, or making viral videos— it falls under LNT principles that the request be honored; there is currently no such formal request on the North Shore, but it is generally considered best practice that social media users only share trails that have the capacity for increased foot traffic and that trails be shared with relevant LNT information, and more than just a “follow LNT” callout.

On the North Shore/in Tettegouche, the most relevant LNT concerns are staying on-trail to protect erosion zones, invasive species management, improper waste disposal, and improper planning and safety.

Check out a detailed guide to Leave No Trace on the North Shore here!

You can help by staying on official trails only, cleaning your boots before tackling trails to avoid transporting invasive species, packing out all waste including toilet paper, orange peels, and anything believed to be biodegradable, and practicing careful trip planning in order to keep both you and your environment safe!

I will include further LNT specifics when necessary.

Note: This article contains affiliate links! This means if you decide to purchase something based on my recommendation, I make a small kickback at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own (as will be come very obvious very shortly)

what to pack for fall hiking on the North Shore:

Weather on Lake Superior can be unpredictable! Pack for a variety of weather conditions. I recommend…

• A lightweight, long hiking pant. I use this pair from Kuhl. Want to STRONGLY recommend these! I went up two pants sizes over the winter and have been really struggling with body image issues because of it. These are the only pants I feel like look good on me. They are so flattering, the fit guide is helpful, they’re moisture wicking but also not too “hiker” if you know what I mean, and I just feel good in them. Anyways, if you too are struggling to find pants that don’t make you hate yourself, check out these. (These were gifted to me by Kuhl!)
• 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. The basic REI stuff lasted about a season, my Icebreakers top also didn’t really last long. 
• Study hiking boots. I like my Bridger Mids. Working in outdoor retail I literally never had anyone try on these shoes and not buy them. Pair with Darn Tough hiking socks. 
• A puffy jacket. It can be cool even in the summer along the coast, especially evenings. My partner Andy (also a wilderness guide) swears by the Patagonia Nano Puff. I like my Helly Hansen Liftloft. 
• A Tent: Read my budget tent recommendations here!
• A day hiking pack: I love my Perimeter 35L, made by local (to me!) Two Harbors company Granite Gear. I was gifted this pack a few years back and it’s still my go-to day pack.
• Sleeping Bag: Check out the Nemo Disco down sleeping bag for the perfect comfortable set up for chilly nights. Pair with a comfortable sleeping pad.
• A raincoat. I love the Moss Raincoat from Helly Hansen; It’s affordable, cute, and super durable.

16) The Backroads near the Sawbill Trail

Looking for romantic red fall foliage? Head up the Sawbill Trail and cruise the backroads. Here, you’ll find plenty of beautiful dirt roads and colorful canopies, as well as small idyllic lakes. In the early mornings and evening keep your eyes peeled for moose and bear.

While my favorite fall color drives are along the Sawbill Trail, there are plenty more scenic fall color drives along the Minnesota North Shore!

When is peak fall color on the North Shore?

The area around Lutsen and Tofte tends to peak earlier than the rest of the North Shore, so schedule your visit accordingly. This could be because of higher elevation or the amount of maples, but color also varies due to the amount of rain an area gets, so it’s nearly impossible to predict perfectly.

For reference, in the year 2021, the area around Lutsen and Tofte was near peak fall color roughly September 24th-30th, the birch trees around the Gunflint Trail peaked October 2nd-4th and went quickly, Grand Portage area was near peak fall color October 6th-10th, and Grand Marais October 10th-15th.

15) Fantasia Overlook & Johnson Lake on the Superior Hiking Trail

If you love a hard, sweaty hike with sweeping views, lake overlooks, and unique scenery, add the Fantasia Overlook Spur on the Superior Hiking Trail to your Minnesota fall color bucket list. The trail to Fantasia Overlook takes you straight up for nearly a mile and a half. Just when you start to catch your breath, you’ll come out of the woods and are treated to incredible views of Tettegouche State Park, Palisade Head, and Lake Superior far below you.

Fantasia Overlook itself (pictured above) is a quiet overlook of a unique beaver pond. Personally, this is one of my favorite views on the SHT.

Continue along the Superior Hiking Trail to Johnson Lake, one of the most “Instagrammable” views on the Superior Hiking Trail. Overall, this little section of the Superior Hiking Trail is one of the best fall color hikes for photographers. While the trail to Fantasia and out to Johnson is hard work, you’ll be rewarded with incredible views the entire way.

14) Magnetic Rock Hiking Trail

Minnesota’s Gunflint Trail is a beautiful scenic drive that cuts into the heart of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, but did you know the Gunflint is home to several beautiful hikes? My favorite easy hike along the Gunflint Trail is the hike out to Magnetic Rock, a 30 foot tall standing stone that is mysteriously magnetic!

How cool is that!? Outlander vibes anyone?

The Magnetic Rock hiking trail is rocky and travels through the area burned in the Hamm Lake fire. Here, the trees are smaller as the forest rebounds, and there are plenty of unobstructed views of the Superior National Forest and Gunflint Trail.

The Magnetic Rock Trail is especially beautiful in the Fall when the birch trees start to change. That being said, the fall color may not be quite as spectacular as other areas in Minnesota. The new growth trees are just not as large. Still, I think that Magnetic Rock looks especially lovely framed in gold.

Moose awareness and safety in the BWCA and Superior National Forest:

When hiking in the Superior National Forest in the fall, remember that you’re in moose territory! Late September through the end of October is the rut, or mating season for moose. Not only does this make bull moose to be more active than usual, but also far more aggressive. If you encounter a moose on trail, maintain a large distance from the moose. If the moose alters it’s behavior at all in your presence, consider this a warning sign to back away. A bull moose rubbing his rack in trees can be a sign that he is about to charge.

Remember! If you hear what sounds like a loud cow mooing in the Minnesota Northwoods, it’s probably a moose. If charged by a bull moose, try and hide behind a large tree and wait for the moose to pass.

This moose was spotted just a few miles from Magnetic Rock Trail off the Gunflint Trail in October, 2021!

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13) Grand Portage National Monument

Looking for a unique and less busy fall color experience than Lutsen and Tofte? Head up to Grand Portage National Monument and view the colors from Mount Rose. Mount Rose is an easy hike with significant uphill, but leads to beautiful views of Grand Portage, the Old Portage trail, the historic fort below, and of Lake Superior and Grand Portage Island. On a clear day, you can even see Isle Royale National Park from Mount Rose!

Grand Portage National Monument is especially unique in that it is one of the only National Parks to be managed in partnership with the local Indigenous Tribe, the Grand Portage Ojibwe/Anishinaabe. You can learn more about the history of Grand Portage and the Ojibwe people by watching the park film, produced in partnership with and featuring Grand Portage Anishinaabe band members. In my opinion, this film is a must watch for visitors to the North Shore recreating on Anishinaabe Nation Land.

12) Caribou Rock Trail and Rose Lake Cliffs

If you’re looking for the single most stunning, most difficult hike in Minnesota, look no further than the Caribou Rock/Rose Lake Cliffs combo. This hike is perfect for hikers and avid outdoors-people who love to suffer, just a little.

The good news is this hike is stunning every step of the way. The bad news? It’s about 12- 14 miles round trip out to Rose Lake Cliffs, and it’s an incredibly difficult 14 miles. For reference, we left the car at 7 am, and made it back around 6 pm.

Is all that hard hiking worth it for this view? I’m gonna go ahead and say heck yes, it sure is. I won’t detail the route and specifics of this hike here, because I’ve already written a very detailed trail guide to this day trip.

Some notes on hiking to Rose Lake Cliffs via Caribou Rock Trail:

The entire route out to Rose Lake Cliffs is full of overlooks and views like the one above, and it’s worth every difficult mile. As a photographer, I was thrilled. As an avid hiker?

I was pretty humbled. It’s been a while since I’ve hiked a trail that, for lack of a better phrase, totally kicked my ass. This one did that. I’m a regular backpacker on the Border Route Trail, and a Lake Superior sea kayaking guide, so I’d sort of assumed the reviews saying the Caribou Rock Trail was the most difficult trail in Minnesota were a little dramatic.

I fell into the classic trap of assuming I know more than other people and my experience and level of physical fitness must be better than some internet stranger.

That is a hard section of trail. The hike out to Rose Lake Cliffs is easily the most beautiful hike in Minnesota I’ve experienced, maybe the Midwest, but the Caribou Rock Trail is definitely the most difficult & technical section of trail I’ve experienced in the state as well. To read my full trail guide/trip report from Rose Lake Cliffs including how to get there, best photo spots, and a break down of the difficult spots on the trail, click here.

11) Day Hill in Split Rock Lighthouse State Park

The Day Hill hike in Split Rock is almost two miles from the parking lot, depending on which lot you choose, and is an easy trail for most hikers. There is some uphill, but the path is well-travelled. Sweeping views to the southwest make this an excellent sunset spot, with plenty of chance to view fall foliage.

Day Hill is one of the best easy hikes for Fall color on the North Shore! This hike peaks a little later than other hikes on the Lakeshore.

10) White Sky Rock

North of Lutsen on the Caribou Trail, White Sky Rock is a short, uphill hike to an east-facing overlook of Caribou Lake— a perfect spot for sunrise! The overlook itself is reminiscent of the view at Rose Lake Cliffs (see below), but a much easier hike.

Trails on the North Shore are pretty rugged! A year ago, I picked up a thru-hiker who said the SHT was more difficult for her than the AT. I strongly recommend a pair of hiking boots with good ankle support and traction. I’m a big fan of the Oboz Bridger Mids, pictured above and all over these photos.

9) Poplar Valley Overlook

From White Sky Rock above, continue along the the spur trail to the Superior Hiking Trail for a few more lovely overlooks and eventually a sweeping view of the Popular River Valley. Moderate hike if continued out to the other overlooks.

Last year this trail was moderately-trafficked— a lot of Minneapolis-based creators made videos about this hike, so it might be busier this year than in previous years. Still, it’s such a quick hike that parking lot turnover is relatively quick and it’s worth a stop.

8) Pincushion Mountain

A quick, five-minute drive from Grand Marais, Pincushion Mountain was one of my favorite hikes in town. I was there about once a week when I lived in town, and haven’t shared it before for that reason (ie, I don’t want people to know if there’s a trail I’m on three nights a week).

Pincushion is a four-mile hike, and relatively flat. Be sure to leash dogs as unleashed dogs have been known to be bothered by the local wolf pack (don’t stress! The wolves won’t bother humans!). This hike ends at a lovely northeast-facing overlook of Lake Superior and the hills to the North. For more, continue along the SHT into the Devil Track River Canyon. I like to have lunch on the Bridge before heading back.

You’ll almost definitely be able to find parking here— it’s got a sizable parking lot with bathrooms, and I’ve never seen the lot anywhere near full.

Pincushion Mountain is one of the most underrated best fall color hiking trails on the North Shore!

7) Bean & Bear

Check out Bean & Bear loop this fall, just south of Tettegouche State Park. At 7-8 miles round trip, this moderate hike is a heavily-trafficked fall bucket lister! The parking lot is fairly large, and if the ups & downs prove challenging, there are plenty of overlooks without hiking the whole loop. This loop is probably best visited during the week or in the early morning, or after peak colors— it gets a LOT of traffic from leaf-peepers! You can find just as beautiful views on some of the other less crowded routes!

6) Carleton Peak

Looking for a beautiful fall hike on the North Shore of Minnesota? Head up to Temperance River State Park and tackle Carleton Peak.

Carelton Peak can be tackled as a four-mile trail from the Britton Peak Trailhead, or a longer difficult trip from the Lakeside in Temperance River State Park up to Carleton Peak! This is a great hike to use to test if you’re ready for a more difficult Rose Lake trek.

5) Shovel Point

Shovel Point is a 1-2 mile hike beginning at the Tettegouche Visitor Center. This route feature dramatic cliff views all around and is a very popular spot for wave watching in the stormy months of November and December.

Last winter, my sister came to visit me for a few days and I wanted to show her all of the best of the North Shore. I took her a lot of incredible places, but this hike was her favorite— maybe because we had time to make it back to the car before anyone started shivering.

4) Mount Trudee

I stumbled upon Mount Trudee the way I stumble upon most things— pouring over a topographical map and making a little star on a place I want to check out. Some of the time it’s a total bust, and I hike a really long way just to find slippery trails and overgrown lookouts.

For the elusive Mount Trudee this was not the case.

It took me three tries to get to Trudee— the first attempt I tried to swing in just a two hour window from the inland Tettegouche trailhead and I ran out of time and didn’t make it. The second attempt I tried from the Lax Lake Road Parking lot— I hiked about 11 miles around the various trails there to map out the previous route, and didn’t have the time or juice to add another four miles out to Mount Trudee.

The third time Trudee was my singular goal. I hit the trail immediately after work and ate lunch while I walked. I stoped at the beautiful Palisade Valley Overlook, before half jogging, half climbing the Trudee Summit. It was incredible. Easily top five overlooks on the North Shore for me (Rose Lake, Watap Cliffs, Trudee, Fantasia, Poplar Valley?).

To get to Trudee, you can either start from Lax Lake Road for about a 12 mile hike with a detour to Palisade Valley and all of the smaller overlooks along the way. I would consider this route to be generally difficult. For an easier (but definitely not easy) route, start at the inland Tettegouche Parking Lot and cruise the SHT for closer to six miles round trip— this route cuts out the Palisade Valley Overlook which is half the fun. Trudee is especially awesome in the same way that Rose Lake Cliffs are— there is no easy way to get to it.

3) High Falls

High Falls can be reached both from the inland parking lot and from the visitors center. Currently, the bridge across the Baptism River is out, so you cannot cross the river from the trail.

I recommend the three-mile round trip route out to High Falls from the visitor’s center for the best views. This trail has several erosion zones where it is important that visitors stay on the designated trail. Most of these are apparent; if it looks like the park does not want you walking there (ie, boardwalks and railings indicating where you are supposed to walk or a sign that indicates where the trail is), stay on the designated trail. The most notable of these is near the top of High Falls. Keep in mind that boardwalks are not there to keep your boots clean, but to prevent further erosion on the trail.

2) Mount Baldy

Mount Baldy is a relatively little-known trail tucked away in the backside of Tettegouche. Parking is available off Lax Lake Road. There are no bathrooms at the trailhead, limited parking, and no trash can (read: this is probably not the place to make an itinerary-style social media post about because it is not set up to support a sudden influx of tourism).

That being said, portions of this trail are overgrown and could probably use more foot traffic from intrepid hikers, similar in that way to the Border Route Trail.

Mount Baldy can be reached through an almost three mile moderate out-and-back, or as part of a loop out to Tettegouche Lake Camp, where there are pit toilets and backcountry cabin rentals available.

1) Split Rock Lighthouse

A perfect fall visit to the North Shore for me involves lots of hiking, lots of views, and a camp coffee on the shore of Split Rock Lighthouse State Park

Love finding the best places to see fall color on the North Shore? Here’s some other serious hiking-inspiration:

• Check out eight hidden waterfalls on Minnesota’s North Shore (including one that is almost impossible to reach!)
• Read the 30 Best Things to do on the North Shore
• Looking to up your Instagram game? Here are the best photography locations on the North Shore!

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!

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