Lake Superior’s north and south shores

Route description

Duluth sits at the western tip of Lake Superior, where ships pass under the Aerial Lift Bridge into the harbor. Take the North Shore Scenic Drive and MN-61 northeast along the lake to Two Harbors and Gooseberry Falls State Park. Just beyond, Split Rock Lighthouse stands on a 130-foot cliff above the lake.

MN-61 continues along the rocky shore, through birch forests and past river mouths, to Grand Marais, a harbor town with an artist colony and the start of the Gunflint Trail into the north woods. From here, you have to drive back to Duluth and around the end of the lake into Wisconsin. US-2 and WI-13 lead to Bayfield, a small fishing town with orchards and a ferry to Madeline Island.

The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore protects 21 islands and a stretch of mainland coast, where red sandstone sea caves are best seen by kayak from Meyers Beach in summer. In rare cold winters, the lake freezes firmly enough to walk to them. Continue east on US-2 into Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and M-28 to Munising.

At Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, sandstone cliffs streaked with mineral colors rise from the lake; they are best seen on a boat tour from Munising or with a guided kayak trip. Lake Superior is very cold and can get rough quickly, so only paddle with experience or a guide. Summer is short, and black flies and mosquitoes are common in June.