Looking for frozen waterfalls, steamy sunrises, cozy diners, and the best winter adventures in Minnesota? Look no further than the North Shore of Lake Superior! From ski & sauna to hiking and food, here are the best things to do in the winter on the North Shore!

why this blog? Hi there! My name is Maddy, and I’ve now spent three winters (and counting!) living on the North Shore. I work as an outdoor guide and guidebook writer focusing on the exploring the Midwest. I’m committed to sharing the best places to adventure in the Midwest and Great Lakes Region, and have been working in the outdoor industry in the Midwest for almost six years now. I’m stoked to show you around!

Best Things to Do on the North Shore, MN Winter Edition!

Looking for the best things to do on the North Shore in the Winter? From the best places to eat to the best winter hiking, here are some of the best things to do on the North Shore in the winter:

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What to Wear for Winter Hiking on the North Shore:

The key to happy winter adventures on the North Shore is a good layering system! Here is what to pack for winter on the North Shore:

• Good wool baselayers! I recommend Smartwool baselayers; after five years of sea kayak guiding and expedition paddling, these last much longer than any other baselayer I’ve owned. 
• Fleece midlayers: the key to happy winter adventure is layers! After my wool baselayers, I add a layer of fleece. I only add fleece pants when the temperature is below zero; otherwise I’ll sweat too much. 
• Wool sweaters! I usually get my wool sweaters from antique stores or knit them myself, but you can also find cute wool sweaters from Fjallraven. 
• A down jacket! Depending on temperature, I’ll either bring my super warm, subzero ready parka, or a thinner down layer if it’s above freezing. 
• Fjallraven Keb Trousers: Fjallraven pants for winter hiking, snowshoeing, and skiing are such a great investment as an outer layer! 10/10 recommend. 
• Granite Gear Perimeter 35 as a winter hiking pack, snowshoes, XC skis, winter hiking boots,microspikes, emergency bivvy, Garmin InReach, First Aid Kit, and a shovel to keep in your car for when you inevitably get stuck
• The Midwest Adventure eBook Bundle for all of the best hiking trails, paddling routes, hidden campsites, beaches, all-season itineraries, and so much more!

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

1) Visit Split Rock Lighthouse State Park

Split Rock Lighthouse State Park is a great place to watch the winter sunrise over Lake Superior, or tackle the multi-use trails in the park. My favorite trail is the hike to Day Hill, a quick out and back with some up hill. Winter hiking boots with traction recommended!

Looking for the best things to do on the North Shore in any season? Click here instead!

2) Watch a Sea Smoke Sunrise

Whether you catch your beautiful smoky sunrise at Artist’s Point in Grand Marais, Palisade Head, or Split Rock, you’re in for a beautiful show! In the winter, the sun rises over Lake Superior on the North Shore between seven and eight o’clock am. While most great sunrise locations require a small amount of hiking (less than a half mile), there are several locations you can watch the sunrise over the Lake from the warmth of your car!

For a detailed list of 30+ sunrise & sunset spots on the North Shore, check out Exploring the North Shore eBook & interactive map!

3) Hike to Frozen High Falls in Tettegouche State Park

Frozen waterfall hikes are one of the best things do to on the North Shore in the winter, and the most impressive of all the waterfall hikes is the trek to High Falls in Tettegouche State Park! Hike can be paired with a hike out to Shovel Point for a longer route, and is likely to be icy, so bring your micro spikes for additional traction.

For detailed hiking trail guides, canoe and kayak routes, the best waterfalls, camping, and more and 140+ pages to help you plan your North Shore trip, check out the Exploring the North Shore eBook and interactive map!

4) Go Cross Country Skiing!

One of the best ways to experience the magic of Northern Minnesota is to strap on some cross country skies! Cross Country skiing is a great workout and a beautiful way to see the snowy Minnesota woods. On the North Shore, you can find trails that range from beginner level to intermediate! For an immersive, beginner-friendly experience with rentals and lessons available, check out Bearskin Lodge. For some of the best intermediate-difficult trails, check out Pincushion Mountain and Sugarbush Trail System.

Don’t forget your Great Minnesota Ski Pass! I use a pair of Rossignol Off Track XC skis, good for both skiing in groomed trails and in the woods. While in most cases, snowshoes are overkill for winter hiking on the North Shore, snowshoes are perfect for areas with little trail traffic and deeper snow.

5) Get Breakfast at Cascade Lodge

Looking for a great place to cozy up for breakfast after sunrise? Head to Cascade Lodge just south of Grand Marais for delicious food, coffee, and an eggs Benedict to write home about.

6) Visit a Nordic Sauna right on Lake Superior

After a long hard day on the trails, nothing feels better than a sauna. At Sisu & Loyly in Grand Marais, you can unwind in a sauna right on Lake Superior. While the sauna is beautiful in all seasons, it’s especially fun in the winter months when you can sit outside by a winter fire to cool off, and watch ice form and break up on the Lake just outside. 

My second winter living in Grand Marais I worked here, and it was one of the most fun jobs I’ve ever had.

7) Backcountry Ski Frozen Rivers

My single favorite winter activity on the North Shore is backcountry skiing frozen rivers! The rivers of the North Shore have deep canyons and beautiful waterfalls. In the winter, all of this unique geology is accessible on a good pair of backcountry skis. Keep in mind that no ice is safe ice, and check with a local outfitter before venturing out on the rivers and consider booking a guided tour.

Hok Ski rentals are available at Spokengear in Two Harbors and Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply in Grand Marais.

8) Watch a Dogsled Race or Book a Dogsled Tour

One of the quintessential North Shore adventure is dogsledding. Head up in January to Grand Marais to watch the Gunflint Mail Run at Trail Center, or watch the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon from Duluth to Grand Portage at any one of various checkpoints. 

Book a guided dogsled tour with Points Unknown in Hovland or White Wilderness in Isabella.

9) Try Winter Camping

If you love adventure and are already a seasoned shoulder season camper, you might be ready to try winter camping on the North Shore! Strap on some skis and a pulk sled and head into the Boundary Waters for the winter adventure of a lifetime.

10) Watch a Perfect Winter Sunset in Grand Marais, Minnesota

While in the summer the sun sets over the Sawtooth Ridge to the west, in the winter the sun sets farther south and can be seen from over Lake Superior from certain points on the North Shore! One of these spots is Artist’s Point in Grand Marais, Minnesota. After a late lunch in town, head down to the Lake to watch the sun set behind the iconic Grand Marais Lighthouse.

11) Hike/Climb the Frozen Kadunce River

One of the best things to do in the winter on the North Shore is hike the frozen Kadunce River. This is an absolutely magical adventure that can only be accomplished seasonally, when the river is frozen. Usually this happens for just a few weeks in February. Check with local outfitters for current conditions, and remember that no ice is safe ice! (Stay OFF the ice later in the winter!)

12) Photograph frozen ice sculptures

Come winter, one of the most magical things happens along the shore of Lake Superior! The plants along the shore become encased in ice due to freezing spray from the waves on the Lake. One of the best things to do on the North Shore is wake up early to catch the sunrise glow along the frozen ice structures.

The best places to see frozen plants at sunrise on Lake Superior are Artist’s Point in Grand Marais, Tettegouche State Park, at Shovel Point, and Split Rock Lighthouse State Park.

13) Go Winter Hiking

Many of the same trails you can hike in the summer are equally accessible for hikers in the winter with the right preparation. My favorite places for winter hiking on the North Shore are Temperance River State Park, Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, Cascade River State Park, Magnetic Rock Trail, Pincushion Mountain, and more!

Check out the best hiking trails on the North Shore!

How to Visit the North Shore, MN in the Winter, FAQs:

What is the North Shore of Minnesota?

The North Shore, generally speaking, is considered the Northern shore of Lake Superior! In Minnesota and for travel purposes, this generally means the area and towns north and east of Duluth and accessible from Highway 61.

Where to Stay on the North Shore:

Several campgrounds, including the Grand Marais Municipal Campground, are open in the winter for camping! Most people chose to stay in one of the many local lodges or hotels in the area, but book well in advance. My personal favorite lodges are Clearwater Lodge and Cascade Lodge.

Winter Weather on the North Shore:

The best winter months to visit the North Shore are January-March. Temperatures tend to be coldest in January and February, while the sun starts to come out by March. Temperatures on the North Shore in the winter range from -40 with the windchill to the low 30s at the warmest. Check the forecast and pack accordingly! Potential hazards include heavy snow, blizzards, and freezing rain, and frostbite. 

How do I see Sea Smoke on Lake Superior?

Sea smoke, or arctic fog, forms on Lake Superior over open water when extremely cold air, usually in the single digits and below, moves over the comparatively warm water. The best times to see the most sea smoke tend to be around sunrise, before temperatures increase for the day. Winds on the lake also tend to increase once the sun crosses the horizon, causing the smoke to swirl which can be especially beautiful.

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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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From saunas to ski trails, sunrises to cozy dinner spots, here are the best things to do in the winter on the North Shore!