Highway 61 North Shore Scenic Drive
Shelby Hendrix is a student at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota majoring in Hospitality and Tourism. She fuels her love of the outdoors by skiing, hiking, and backpacking in the wooded corners of the Midwest to the mountains of the West. While spreading the word of her adventures through words and pictures, she hopes to ignite the fellow traveler in others. She can be reached at 15hendrshe@gmail.com.
Minnesota is known for 3 things: lakes, comfort food, and its’ ruggedness. Minnesota’s Scenic Byway on the North Shore is the perfect place for Minnesotans and out-of-staters to experience the perfect trio. This 143-mile-long drive passes lighthouses, crazy rock formations, black sand beaches, and some of the best food you can find in the Midwest. Highway 61, the main road for the byway, is beautifully paved and is easy for any car to take on, but must be driven with caution during the snowy seasons. From Duluth to Grand Portage, road-trippers will be able to immerse themselves in the “Great North”, while learning a little bit of the Minnesotan history.
Over this past Spring Break, my boyfriend and camping partner, Quintin, wanted to do the entire 143-mile drive while we had a few days off. Our goal was to go camping for the first time since this past fall, and where better to do it than the North Shore? It was close to home but still packed with new experiences. We woke up early on Monday and left St. Cloud, driving east on Highway 23 until we could exit onto I-35 North. Once we arrived to the historic town of Duluth, we knew the adventure was about to begin!
to start our mini-trip, looking over the ocean-like lake.
Once we were back in the trusty steed (our Jeep), we kept an eye out for the next interesting place to stop. That was the best part about this trip; we didn’t have every stop planned out! We just drove on the road until we could see a sign for a byway stop. Soon after Duluth, we came across the “Gooseberry Falls” sign near the Township of Silver Creek. Here, it was free to park and had clean, indoor bathrooms. It was about a ten-minute walk from the parking lot to the beautiful Gooseberry Falls. We were able to climb around the rocks, snap some beautiful frozen waterfall pictures, and enjoy a peaceful walk over bridges to different sights.
Our next stop was the Black Sand Beach near Silver Bay. The views here were breathtaking. The sand was a very dark gray color and led to a beautiful island of rusty-orange rocks that you could climb on. We made it to the top with the help of a rope that was tied to a tree. Once we pulled ourselves to the highest point, we were overwhelmed with the 360° view of forests, beaches, and the endless Lake Superior. Though it was a bit of a struggle to get up, we were in total awe and agreed it was worth it. After taking in the view and eating a small snack we brought with us, we headed down as it was getting dark and we still needed to set up camp.
Finally, we arrived at where we would camp for the night: Cascade Falls Campsite. It was right off of Highway 61 and super easy to find. It felt like we escaped the world due to how tranquil and secluded it was. There was only one other car braving the early-spring camping for the night and we were at the other end of the campground. There was minimal snow, most of it had been shoveled away to make room for our cozy tent. We lit our bonfire, roasted cheesy brats, and watched the stars as the clouds parted for the night.
The next morning, we woke up early, made some hot cocoa over simmering coals, and headed to the end of the road. Not to far into the drive we came upon Grand Marais. This town, usually bustling with local and tourist onlookers, was still asleep as we arrived to a local coffee shop, Java Moose. Lattes and cold brews in hand, we walked to the lake shore and sat on a bench to enjoy the early morning chill. After spending what seemed like hours skipping rocks into the bay, we continued on from Grand Marais.
At the tail end of Highway 61 is Grand Portage. This used to be a massive port for fur trading and some buildings have been replicated. The Grand Portage National Monument has lots of information about Minnesota’s history, as well as the history of the Ojibwa people that has resided there for generations. There are paths and docks to walk around on, giving some one-of-a-kind Minnesotan views. Here, at the very end of Highway 61, we had felt like we had gotten to know Minnesota on a personal level.
Getting there:
For out-of-state travelers coming from the Minneapolis – St. Paul International Airport, all you need to do is hop onto I-35E N. After a few miles, continue onto I-35 N and once you’ve driven 127 miles on I-35 N, exit 256A to Mesaba Ave in Duluth. Take exit 259 from I-35 N and merge onto highway MN-61. This is the beginning of the Minnesota North Shore Scenic Byway.
Car rental from Minneapolis – St. Paul International Airport: Alamo is an “on-airport” car rental company. They can be reached at 1-800-327-9633.
When to come:
Given Minnesota’s tough winters, this drive is the most common and most interactable during the summer. If you did want to spice it up, the changing of trees in mid-fall is a sight for sore eyes! Just be sure to bring some warm layers to protect you from the chilled wind coming off Lake Superior. For those who love the frigid freeze of winter, you must come prepared! Be sure to check the weather ahead of time. Pack lots of layers and hats, car safety equipment, and your love for cold weather!
Accommodations:
During the summer, many visitors engage in roughing it camping-style. There are lots of campsites with views of Lake Superior and even more sites hidden in the thick pine forest, away from civilization. Https://www.exploreminnesota.com has lots of options for RV parks, State Park campgrounds, and public campgrounds that will fit any traveler’s need. It is recommended that first-timers in Duluth stay a few days to enjoy all they have to offer. The beautiful, one-of-a-kind South Pier Inn has a beautiful view of Lake Superior and birds eye views of the bustling city below. It is located right next to the canal so you will definitely be able to catch a glimpse of fright boats traveling through the lift bridge. It is about $122/night with breakfast, Wi-Fi, and parking included. Its address is 701 S Lake Ave, Duluth, MN 55802. Call (218) 786-9007 to reserve your room today!
Shopping:
An iconic place to stop in Duluth is their Duluth Trading Company store. You can find lots of apparel and gear to feel like a hardened Minnesotan. Their address is 300 E Superior St, Duluth, MN 55802 and they can be reached at (218) 481-7580. Another store to appease your inner wild-child is the Great Lakes Trading Post at 10 S 1st Ave W, Grand Marais, MN 55604. Their phone number is (218) 387-2020. They went into business in 1971 and have had durable attire and equipment ever since.
Food:
Fitger’s Brewhouse in Duluth is the perfect place to try some home-brewed beers as well as some wild rice burgers. Located at 600 E Superior St., Duluth, MN 55802. Betty’s Pies is located in Two Harbors, MN and is extremely well-known for having the best comfort food in Minnesota, nay, the mid-west! It is located right off highway 61, so how could you not stop?! Their address is 1633 MN-61, Two Harbors, MN 55616 and their phone number is (218) 834-3367. They have burgers and sandwiches as well, but be sure to try their famous “pie shakes”, made with a slice of pie and a scoop of ice cream to sooth those hot and muggy Minnesota summer days. For some renowned pizza and local beers served with an old-timey vibe, stop by Sven and Ole’s at 9 Wisconsin St, Grand Marais, MN 55604 or call ahead for takeout at (218) 387-1713 as their hours have changed due to COVID-19.
Expenses:
Besides the money you would need for gas for about an 8-hour drive, you wouldn’t need much else if you were planning on doing it picnic-style! Campsites can range from about $15/night-$40/night and hotels would be about $60/night-$120/night, depending on the hotel you chose. If you are planning on stopping by the restaurants previously mentioned, $20/meal would be sufficient for one person. The look-out points are free so you won’t need to pay for the views unless you wanted to stop at specific State Parks that may have a $5 parking fee (cash is best).
For entertainment:
Duluth’s Great Lakes Aquarium is a must-see. It resides right on the shore of Lake Superior and houses 1,500 animals local to the area and from far away water ecosystems. Adult tickets are $15, Senior tickets are $14, and child tickets are $12. Its address is 353 Harbor Dr, Duluth, MN 55802 and their phone number is (218) 740-3474. If you are just going along the byway, make sure to stop at any of the 96 wayside stops to dip your toes in water, enjoy the unique rock formations, and to see lighthouses of many shapes! A couple of the most popular stops are Gooseberry Falls at 3206 MN-61, Two Harbors, MN 55616, and Black Sand Beach at Silver Bay, MN 55614.
Helpful websites:
https://www.exploreminnesota.com
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