Vacation On Lake Superior
Fall is my favorite season in the Midwest. The trees explode with their bright autumn colors, football is back on TV and I’m enjoying brisk, sunny days from my porch. One of my favorite times to relax is at night while soaking in the hot tub overlooking Lake Superior, which also happens to be one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world.
Wisconsin’s North Shore is the top vacation spot on Lake Superior. The north shore offers many different things to do, sights to see and fish to catch. Consider a stay at Cana Island County Park or Castle Danger County Park for camping and fishing; these are two separate parks on the same island! The island is located in the middle of Lake Superior between Bayfield and Ashland WI. Northern Wisconsin’s sandstone cliffs, potholes, karst formations and waterfalls are perfect locations for those who love rock climbing and spelunking. The north shore also has a pair of popular lighthouses: Apostle Islands Two Harbors Light Station and one near north Bayfield WI. You can visit both if you like or catch a ferry from Bayfield WI to Madeline Island during late June-early October as part of “Apostle Islands Adventure Cruises.”
This June, my wife and I packed our car with camping gear and headed towards Minnesota. We spent the weekend swimming in Lake Superior. The water was refreshing, clean, and perfect for our vacation. Here’s what we did.
The Superior Hiking Trail is a 108-mile (174 km) trail through the wilderness of the Sawtooth Mountains in northern Minnesota. It was built, and continues to be maintained by volunteers. The trail is a part of the Great Eastern Trail and can be hiked year round. Winter hiking requires skills such as reading map, compass and GPS skills, winter camping skills and knowledge of winter safety. This hike will take place in June (just after peak wildflower season) following cottage country in Kenora, ON to the French River ferry dock.
There’s a reason why Minnesota’s North Shore is one of the state’s most-visited destinations. Hugging the North Shore of Lake Superior from Duluth to Grand Portage, this 145-mile stretch is dotted with small towns, state parks, scenic trails, historic sites and untouched wilderness that beckon travelers off the beaten path to experience a place that’s unlike any other.
Vacation On Lake Superior
At the southwestern tip of Lake Superior sits Duluth, one of Minnesota’s largest cities and the world’s largest freshwater inland port. Duluth has enough excitement to fill an entire vacation, or can serve as a launching pad for a trek up the North Shore. Drive north along the North Shore Scenic Drive toward Lutsen, Grand Marais and Grand Portage to relax, bike, fish, hike, golf, canoe, ski or snowmobile.
Grand Marais offers not only arts and cuisine straight from the lake, but also serves as the gateway to the Gunflint Trail and Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Adventure seekers come from around the world to explore millions of acres of the Superior National Forest, rocky cliffs, serene inland lakes, and wilderness streams plunging over waterfalls to Lake Superior below.
Follow this itinerary to plan your North Shore adventure of a lifetime.
Day 1: Duluth
With its Lake Superior and harbor views and an incredible array of things to see and do, Duluth is a popular destination. The Canal Park area on the waterfront is a great place to start your visit. Watch large seagoing vessels come through the canal and under the landmark Aerial Lift Bridge. Stop in the Maritime Visitor Center to learn more about Great Lakes shipping, and take a break to skip rocks in the big lake.
Day 2: Duluth
People of all ages will enjoy Duluth’s many attractions. Families will find hours of fun at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum, Duluth Children’s Museum and Lake Superior Zoo. Cross over the Lift Bridge to find 5 miles of sandy beaches along Park Point. Climb the tower at Enger Park, dine and shop in the trendy Lincoln Park neighborhood, or experience how the upper crust lived at Glensheen Estate. Find places to stay in Duluth and Duluth attractions.
Day 3: North Shore Scenic Drive
The North Shore Scenic Drive, designated as an All-American Road, is a 145-mile scenic byway following the dramatic, rugged shoreline of Lake Superior, with forested hillsides, wilderness streams and waterfalls along the way. From Duluth, follow old Highway 61 north along the shore to Two Harbors. Stop at one of the smoked fish shops and buy a delicious treat for your trip. In Two Harbors, tour the 1886 Edna G. tugboat, an 1892 lighthouse, and the humble place where the 3M company got its start.
Head north from town and stop for the great views of Gooseberry Falls, just off the highway. A little further north is the landmark Split Rock Lighthouse, where you can tour the 1920s lighthouse and light keeper’s home. Continue north of Silver Bay and turn off the highway to drive to the scenic overlook at Palisade Head, soaring above Lake Superior. Next you’ll hit the town of Tofte, where you can visit the North Shore Commercial Fishing Museum. From there, Lutsen offers all kinds of outdoor fun, including a mountain tram, an alpine slide, and scenic golf at Superior National.
