Weekend Guide to the North Shore, MN (Local’s Guide)
April 17, 2024
Looking for the perfect weekend guide to visiting Minnesota’s North Shore!? I’ve got you covered! From the best hiking, to the best food and roadside stops, here is the best way to experience Minnesota’s North Shore in just 2-3 days!
Why this blog? Hi there! I’m Maddy, and I’ve lived on and off on the North Shore since 2020— I lived in Grand Marais for two years, before moving south to Two Harbors. I work as an outdoor guide and writer and have since 2018, and I’m more than happy to show you all my favorite spots!
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left to right: hiking the Superior Hiking Trail in the fall. Exploring a Minnesota Slot canyon on the North Shore. High Falls in Tettegouche State Park.
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.
left: a backroad in the fall. right: cascade falls near Grand Marais.
Packing for a weekend on the North Shore:
Temperatures along the North Shore of Lake Superior are likely to be cooler than you expect! Lake Superior is so large and cold that it actually creates it’s own weather patterns. In general, attire on the North Shore is casual and Northwoods outdoorsy friendly!
I recommend packing:
- 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. The North Shore can be buggy: long pants are a must on trails!
- 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.
- 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 and pack at least five pairs. In rugged areas, trekking poles are also a great choice!
- Quick dry shots: I like Patagonia Baggies
- A puffy jacket. It can be cool even in the summer, 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.
- One outfit to wear around town and out to eat!
Where to stay on the North Shore:
There are so many great lodging options on the North Shore! Whenever possible, I recommend supporting small lodges such as Cascade Lodge, Bearskin Lodge, Cove Point Lodge, ect.
Camping can be hard to come by and should be booked well in advance in State Parks. (For a detailed guide to camping options, including free car camping spots in the area, check out my Exploring the North Shore eBook!)
Another fun stay is the Hungry Hippie Hostel in Hovland.
For the perfect North Shore weekend, I recommend staying between Lutsen and Hovland, ideally near Grand Marais, Minnesota!
left: a rainy summer day on the North Shore. right: sunrise over Lake Superior in the winter.
Weekend Guide to Visiting Minnesota’s North Shore:
Here’s a weekend guide to the best of the North Shore, Minnesota! This itinerary starts on a Friday and ends on Sunday!
Day One (Friday!): Driving up the North Shore
Begin your trip up the North Shore! Stop at Rustic Inn for early dinner and pie! On your way up to Lutsen or Grand Marais, swing by Gooseberry Falls to check out the waterfalls.
Split Rock Lighthouse from the beach, left. Right, Oberg mountain at sunset
Alternately, swing by Split Rock Lighthouse State Park and head down to the beautiful beach by Ellingson Island. In my opinion, this is one of the prettiest views on the North Shore. Also worth checking out is the beginner-friendly Day Hill Hike (less than two miles) in Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, with views of Lake Superior coves from above.
Another great, quick hike to hit on your way up the shore is the Shovel Point Trailhead accessible from the Tettegouche State Park Visitor’s Center.
My sister has visited me a few times up here, and this hike is her all time favorite! It’s one of the best places on Lake Superior to hike along the shoreline and see cliffs.
Check out a detailed guide to visiting Tettegouche State Park!
Sunset Spots along the North Shore:
One of the best things to do along the North Shore is to catch a sunset! On the eastern half of the North Shore (the farther up shore you go) the better change you have of seeing the sunset over Lake Superior especially in the winter. In general, winter is the best time to catch winter sunsets on the Lake.
an incredible sunset at a Lake Superior beach on the North Shore.
That said, there are several wonderful west-facing overlooks along Lake Superior! Check out the sunset from Oberg Mountain, Shovel Point, or Fantasia Overlook.
Check out a list of all the best hiking trails on the North Shore!
Did you know?? While the North Shore might seem to run north to south (Duluth in the south, Grand Portage in the North) it actually runs more west to east! Grand Portage is far more east of Duluth than it is north!
Day Two: Exploring the North Shore near Grand Marais
Wake up early and grab breakfast at local favorite Cascade Lodge before hiking at the nearby Cascade River State Park! Check out the short and sweet Cascade River Loop Hike, where you can see seven waterfalls in less than one mile.
Views from the Pincushion mountain Overlook in Grand Marais: hiking to the overlook; viewing the Hjordis ship from above.
After a short hike on the Cascade River, spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the Pincushion Mountain Trail system just outside of Grand Marais! Here, you can mountain bike and/or hike to a beautiful overlook of Lake Superior.
After adventuring, head into Grand Marais to shop, explore, enjoy the beach, and grab lunch at the Fisherman’s Daughter restaurant. Be sure to check out the traditional North House Folk School!
Did you know? Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply offers canoe, kayak, and SUP rentals for inland lakes!
Is driving up the Gunflint Trail worth it when visiting Grand Marais?
One of the most common questions I got while working in the outdoors in Grand Marais was “should I drive up the Gunflint Trail?”
scenes from the Gunflint Trail
The Gunflint Trail is a scenic drive from Grand Marais into the heart of the Boundary Waters, and it is easily one of my favorite things to do on the North Shore! That said, this activity might be bet suited for smaller groups excited to hike. Many of the best trails up this way are more rugged, and there are less amenities and limited cell service up the trail.
Up the Gunflint Trail, check out the hike to Magnetic Rock or Honeymoon Bluff, and enjoy the scenic drive while keeping your eyes peeled for moose! Be sure to grab dinner at Popular Haus, one of the best restaurants in Minnesota, while you’re up (reservations recommended)
Check out all the best hiking trails on the Gunflint Trail.
How do I see Moose or Lynx in Grand Marais?
The best way to see a moose or lynx on the North Shore or up the Gunflint is to get really, really lucky! I have driven the Gunflint Trail probably 50+ times and seen moose twice, and lynx once. There is no sure fire way to see moose, and even if you drive up at dawn, the truth is you will probably not see big mammal wildlife like that on a weekend trip and your time is probably better spent elsewhere.
one of the (very) few moose I’ve seen on the North Shore
How do I see the Northern Lights on the North Shore?
Minnesota’s North Shore can be a great place to see the Northern Lights, but honestly it’s still a pretty rare occurrence. Since moving here in 2020, I’ve seen impressive Northern Light shows about three times, and have yet to capture a decent picture of them.
For the most part to see the Northern Lights in Northern Minnesota, you’ll want to make sure the KP Index is high, usually above 5, the sky is clear, and that it is fully and completely dark. You’ll want to find a north-facing spot; for this I recommend finding a north facing boat landing on a Lake off the Gunflint Trail or Sawbill Trail.
Most vantage points from the shore face south, so you are unlikely from the North Shore to see the Northern Lights over Lake Superior.
Day Three: Last day on the North Shore & Heading Home
On your last day on the North Shore, hit Blue Water Cafe for breakfast and swing by Java Moose for a latte to go.
As you drive south, swing by the White Sky Rock trailhead for a quick but steep hike to a beautiful overlook of Caribou Lake. Next, head to the iconic Temperance River State Park to witness some of the best, most intricate geology the North Shore has to offer. This canyon is so incredible with so many beautiful waterfalls!
On your way back toward Duluth be sure to swing by the Palisade Head lookout, perhaps the best view on Lake Superior, but maybe the best view in the Midwest.
As you head back south, you’ll want to check out Cedar Coffee Company in Two Harbors, tucked away in a cedar forest (fun fact I used to work here!).
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!
Looking for more Lake Superior Adventures? Check out…
- For more of the North Shore, check out this list of the 30 best things to do on the shore!
- Love the area and want to dive into wilderness travel? Check out this detailed guide for how to plan your first Boundary Waters Trip!
- Explore the nearby Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, one of the best Lake Superior adventure destinations!