Community Forums

garmp · 08-04-2018, 03:25 PM

Heading to Minnesota's North Shore area early Sept. Staying at Cascade River SP for a couple of days. What's best to see and do there? In to sights, vistas, waterfalls, springs, history, interesting and curious sights and of course local eateries.
Black beach is on our list as is Split Rock Lighthouse. Suggestions?

DonavonP · 08-04-2018, 03:57 PM

See if you can figure out where the h*ll the water goes.

https://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/eco-to...s-kettle-falls

Soppy · 08-04-2018, 05:36 PM

Grand Marais has a great campground and within walking distance to downtown . Some real good places to eat there. Check out the gondola and alpine slide at Lutsen . While you're up there check out high falls just before the border.

Ret.LEO · 08-04-2018, 05:43 PM

Have some good MN walleye for while you're there. None better!

Cooperhawk · 08-04-2018, 06:00 PM

Split Rock is a good spot to visit, but right down the road is Gooseberry Falls SP. It was built by the CCCs in the thirties and two of my uncles are in the photo of the workers that built it.

Did you know that Minnesooota has mountains? Most Minnesotans don't. Take a day trip on Hwy 1 over to Ely and see the Wolf Refuge. It's a scenic adventure.

By all means try some of the smoked fish that is sold along the way and also fish sausage. Sounds horrible, but it's good.

We are leaving in the morning for Duluth for a few days. Lake Superior, nature's air conditioner.

Damion · 08-04-2018, 06:25 PM

Stop at Betty's Pie's!
Will be there for breakfast tomorrow morning on way to Canada!

TJFogelberg · 08-05-2018, 12:59 PM

Cascade SP has an extensive network of trails that link up with the SHT (Superior Hiking Trail).
There is nice 3 mile hike to Lookout Mountain...it is uphill allow plenty of time and take it easy. Grab a map at the office.

The Cascade Restaurant and Lodge are worth visiting.

Angry Trout and Dockside are good places to eat. ( Both in Grand Marais).

Lake Superior Trout and Herring and Whitefish are all good.

Grand Marais has the Cook County Food Coop with a good selection of groceries and a soup bar. Nice little sitting area with free WiFi.

The drive up to the Canadian border is very scenic, about 45m each way.

Naniboujou is a historic inn and restaurant, not to be missed. Across from CR Magney SP which has good hiking.

We CG host at Cascade for the month of August.

A drive up the Gunflint Trail makes a nice day trip.

Ret.LEO · 08-05-2018, 02:31 PM

Not sure how close you would be but New Ulm Mn is a great little town. Rich in German heritage and food. Have to check out the Glockenspiel. Great local brewery with samples. If not into beer they have the VERY best root beer. Have to eat at one of the local German Restaurants..... be sure to try the red cabbage.
Also if close check out Northfield MN famous for the James/Younger Gang shootout.

Cooperhawk · 08-08-2018, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ret.LEO

Not sure how close you would be but New Ulm Mn is a great little town. Rich in German heritage and food. Have to check out the Glockenspiel. Great local brewery with samples. If not into beer they have the VERY best root beer. Have to eat at one of the local German Restaurants..... be sure to try the red cabbage.
Also if close check out Northfield MN famous for the James/Younger Gang shootout.

I'll second the recommendation of these spots, but they're a long way from the North Shore.

baer · 08-09-2018, 06:55 PM

All the state parks on the North Shore have waterfalls with short hikes to get to them, the tallest waterfall in Minnesota is at Grand Portage State Park, take your time and enjoy!!

DA_BUS · 08-12-2018, 07:19 PM

Lot's of good advice - none that is bad, Duluth has a couple of nice private campgrounds on the south side of town. Great bike trail system. I think there is an asphalt campground on the harbor next to the lift bridge were the ships come into the harbor. Don't forget the St Croix area. I am a life time MN resident from South east Rochester area. If you need any advice for area's there I can help....bald eagles abound on the Mississippi. National Eagle Center in Wabasha.

19Winnie · 08-14-2018, 08:20 PM

Two days isn't much to visit the North Shore. All of the state parks along the the North Shore have waterfalls(except Split Rock which has the lighthouse), most of which are accessible with short hikes. I don't know anything about Black Beach (never really heard of it before), but now that I know about it, we might have to visit, especially since our son now works for the mining company there.

One of my favorite spots to visit along the North Shore is Iona's Beach, which is between Split Rock Lighthouse State Park and Gooseberry Falls State Park and not as well known as others spots. It is made up of a special kind of rock which sounds like glass tinkling when you walk on it and when the waves come in. Oh my goodness, I could have spent hours there!

If you like craft breweries, there is Castle Danger in Two Harbors and Bent Paddle in Duluth.