Take A 2-Hour Drive Through Minnesota To See This Year's Beautiful Fall Colors
By Betsy Rathburn|Updated on August 07, 2023(Originally published September 21, 2019)
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Betsy Rathburn
Author
Betsy is a Minneapolis-based writer who's lived in Minnesota for 20 years. If you know of any amazing Minnesota restaurants, nature areas, or other attractions, feel free to let her know about them at brathburn@onlyinyourstate.com or on Twitter @betsyrathburn.
Minnesota in the fall is, arguably, at its most beautiful – especially along the bluffs of its wide rivers and the shorelines of its larger lakes. During this season, our state and local parks, lakes, and forests blaze with orange, yellow, and red. One of the best ways to enjoy all of the beautiful fall colors in Minnesota is by taking a fall foliage drive. Check out the Minnesota DNR fall color finder to find the best time to go, then pack up the car for a trip up north. Here’s what you’ll discover:
The journey from Duluth to Grand Marais is not a long one - although it can be a little slow, thanks to traffic and construction. But you'll see plenty of autumn beauty as you travel between these two North Shore cities.
The distance between the two is 110 miles, excluding side trips to state parks and nature areas along the way. Without stops or detours, it takes about two hours to drive.
Minnesota State Hwy. 61 - the North Shore All-American Scenic Drive - tracks the shoreline of Lake Superior as it angles north and eastward.
It's lined by a mixed forest of trees on the inshore side. The rugged hills will be ablaze with color. It's the one time of year that your eyes will be on the trees and not the water. The lake side of the highway also gets in on the autumnal action in places where the road doesn't hug the shoreline.
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But definitely pause to admire the beauty of the choppy waters!
Lake Superior is simply breathtaking when surrounded by autumn leaves and at its most temperamental, as it is in the fall.
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There are places to stop along the way, including several beautiful state parks and beaches. If you have more than two hours to spare, stop at Iona's Beach or Black Beach to stretch your legs and enjoy the area's natural beauty.
For example, Duluth is home to many incredible places for enjoying the fall colors. Head to Hawk Ridge for a look at the foliage from above and all the way out to the lake.
The sight of the trees towering over the river as it winds its way to the big lake is simply breathtaking. And of course, you can't forget the waterfalls, themselves.
Just up the road from Gooseberry Falls is Split Rock Lighthouse State Park.
Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, Split Rock Lighthouse Road, Two Harbors, MN, USA
Visit the park, itself, for a pebble beach with lovely views of Superior and the lighthouse for which the park is named. But there's also a wayside stop just before the park where you can see the lighthouse from the highway.
There are many other gorgeous parks between Duluth and Grand Marais, as well.
Tettegouche State Park, Minnesota 61, Silver Bay, MN, USA
Stop at Tettegouche State Park for sweeping views over the lake from Palisade Head or Shovel Point, as well as another moderate hike through the forest to a beautiful view of a waterfall amid the autumn colors.
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After you've had your fill of Minnesota's North Shore state parks, continue on along the lakeshore to Grand Marais.
Explore the town, grab a smoothie or some fish and chips. Take in the gorgeous landscape, and enjoy the leaves. They won't be back again for another year!
See more of the fall colors in the Grand Marais area in this video from Visit Cook County MN:
All in all, this scenic drive in Minnesota along the North Shore of Lake Superior is one of the most beautiful drives in the state - especially in the fall.
Perhaps the best thing about taking this fall foliage drive in Minnesota is that you get to enjoy all the autumn colors again on the way back! Whenever you take a road trip, be sure to pack everything you’ll need and, of course, don’t forget the snacks.
Have you driven the North Shore in the fall? Tell us about your experience in the comments, and be sure to let us know your favorite places to go see fall colors in Minnesota.
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Fall Colors In Minnesota
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What are some other great ways to experience fall colors in Minnesota?
Apart from scenic foliage drives, there are many awesome ways to go out and experience fall colors in Minnesota. These include:
