The Ultimate Weekend Itinerary If You Love Spending Time Outdoors In Minnesota
By Trent Jonas|Published April 27, 2023
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Trent Jonas
Author
Trent Jonas came to Minnesota to attend college - and never left. He's a Twin Cities-based writer with a BA in English and a MFA in creative writing, a Minnesota Master Naturalist, and the proud father of two adult children. With more than a decade of freelance writing experience under his belt, Trent is often out exploring his favorite topics: Minnesota's woods, lakes, and trails. Rhubarb pie is his weakness, so discovering new diners is also a passion.
Northern Minnesota is a premier outdoor destination for folks from around the state and around the world. With draws like the Boundary Waters, Voyageurs National Park, Grand Portage National Monument, Superior National Forest, the Superior Hiking Trail, and many superlative state parks, it can sometimes be difficult for those seeking outdoor adventures and activities in Minnesota to avoid crowds – especially in the summer. We think this road trip will help you see some of the best parts of the Bold North while avoiding too much congestion.
From national parks and campgrounds to waterfalls, canyons, and more, there is so much to love about America’s natural splendor — and June, designated as Great Outdoors Month, is the perfect time to get outside.
Your northern Minnesota adventure begins in Ely. From there, you'll cover about 86 miles, and less than two hours will be spent driving. This means you can take as much or as little time as you like exploring each destination.
The Kawishiwi Falls Hiking Trail is a fairly easy lollipop loop trail that comes in at just over 1 mile. The terrain is a little rugged and there’s some moderate elevation, but watch your footing, and you’ll be fine.
After this short hike to whet your appetite for a weekend exploring Minnesota’s natural beauty, you’ll head down State Hwy. 1, straight through the heart of the Superior National Forest. You’ll wind past pristine lakes and old-growth pines, traversing some of the Bold North’s prime moose country - so keep your eyes peeled!
Explore The Caribou River Gorge
Caribou Falls State Wayside, Minnesota 61, Silver Bay, MN, USA
Your next stop is Caribou Falls State Wayside off Hwy. 61. Follow the trail from the parking lot up this stunning river gorge. After three-quarters of a mile or so, look for 35-foot Caribou Falls. You can keep going, following the river gorge to its intersection with the Superior Hiking Trail, or head back to the parking lot and make your way to the next stop on your adventure.
Next up is Sugarloaf Cove Nature Area, where you can explore a pristine stretch of Lake Superior shoreline. Stop in to the interpretive center to learn more about the area and its history. Explore the shoreline, where you can cross a tombolo to a small island.
Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center, 9096 West, MN-61, Schroeder, MN 55613, USA
Scan the beach for agates - you can’t take them home with you, but you can appreciate their beauty and then leave them for the next person to discover.
Just a few minutes east on Hwy. 61, you’ll come to Taconite Harbor, which is a prime example of the power of nature to reclaim human marks on the landscape. Once a mining boomtown, little remains of Taconite Harbor.
There, you’ll find a perfect little pebble beach on which to kick back and relax - or explore the shoreline. If you lingered too long at some of the other spots, you could easily save this stop for the following day.
After Temperance River, you’re only a few minutes from Bluefin Grille - and dinner. Reservations are highly recommended, especially in summer or on weekends.
Surfside on Lake Superior is your final destination. It’s a sister property to Bluefin Bay - where you just dined - and it’s only a few blocks back in the direction from which you came.
We think this road trip is a fantastic way to experience much of what northern Minnesota has to offer. But don’t forget the Land of 10,000 Lakes is a diverse state with four biomes that offer an extensive array of outdoor adventures – from the “driftless” Bluff Country of the southeast to the tallgrass prairie and Sioux quartzite upwellings in the west – not to mention the aspen parklands, lakes, rivers, and Boundary Waters along the Canadian border. Fortunately, we have road trip suggestions that cover the whole state!
Where will your next road trip take you?
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