# Lake Superior’s north and south shores

> 4-day road trip of about 797 km (495 mi) with 7 stops, from Duluth to Pictured Rocks. About 8 h 51 min of driving in total.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/lake-superior/

**At a glance:** 4-day road trip of about 797 km (495 mi) with 7 stops, from Duluth to Pictured Rocks. About 8 h 51 min of driving in total. Split Rock lighthouse, Grand Marais, the Apostle Islands and the cliffs of Pictured Rocks.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 797 km (495 mi) |
| Driving | 8 h 51 min |
| Suggested days | 4 |
| Stops | 7 |
| Route | Duluth → Pictured Rocks |
| States | MN, WI, MI |
| Updated | June 24, 2026 |

## 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.

## Stop-by-stop itinerary

1. **Duluth** (MN)
2. **Split Rock Lighthouse** (Two Harbors, MN): A lighthouse on a 130-foot cliff above Lake Superior, built after a storm wrecked 29 ships.
3. **Grand Marais** (MN)
4. **Bayfield** (WI)
5. **Apostle Islands sea caves** (Bayfield, WI): Red sandstone caves along the lakeshore, reached by kayak in summer or on foot when the lake freezes.
6. **Munising** (MI)
7. **Pictured Rocks** (Munising, MI): Sandstone cliffs streaked with mineral colours above Lake Superior. See them by boat or kayak.