Posted in Minnesota
October 28, 2016
Minnesota’s Longest Highway Will Take You On An Awe-Inspiring Tour Across The State
Everyone loves a good road trip. But sometimes, with all of the routes and attractions possible, they can be hard to plan. But with that problem comes a simple solution. Why not just stick to one road for the entire trip? Clocking in at 346 miles, Minnesota State Highway 1 is the longest in the entire state. This makes it the perfect choice for those who want a simple road trip without the hassle of intensive planning. Let’s take a look at what you can see along this beautiful road.
We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life. While we continue to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, please take proper precautions or add them to your bucket list to see at a later date. If you know of a local business that could use some extra support during these times, please nominate them here: onlyinyourstate.com/nominate
As you travel east on MN-1, you'll pass through the tiny town of Alvarado. There isn't a whole lot to see, but it should be fun anyway if you like visiting Minnesota's hidden places.
This is another small town along the highway, but it does have a unique claim to fame. Warren was featured in a 2006 episode of UFO Files for an incident that happened in the 1970s. Spooky, right?
It's a small town, but there are plenty of things to do in Thief River Falls. Maybe you want to settle in for a meal at the cozy Evergreen Eating Emporium. Or, if you're up for a little time out in Mother Nature, Thief River Falls is a great place to spend some time outdoors.
Here, you'll find wolves, moose, and birds openly roaming the land. But even if you see no animals, the refuge itself is a gorgeous landscape that you don't want to miss.
It wouldn't be a Minnesota road trip without at least one lake, would it? When you're done oohing and ahhing over it, continue on Highway 1 towards Shooks.
Koochiching State Forest is the first big woods you'll drive through on this road trip. One of Minnesota's largest state forests, it contains several water trails as well as access to Rainy Lake.
Calling itself "An Edge of the Wilderness Community," Effie is located just outside George Washington State Forest.
After about 40 miles, the highway winds its way into St. Louis County.
As Minnesota's oldest and deepest underground mine, a visit to Soudan is like a trip back in time. Learn about the history of mining through a tour of the facility.
Superior National Forest encompasses nearly 4 million acres of wildlife. There are thousands of lakes, rivers, and streams where wild animals roam free.
One of the best small towns in Minnesota, Ely is the perfect spot to get out and stretch your legs - or maybe even spend the night. Shops, restaurants, and more will give you plenty to do in this little town up north.
Because it's so close to the route, it wouldn't hurt to pop in for a day or two of serene canoeing through the wilderness. This little chunk of the one million acres of the Boundary Waters is nothing short of magnificent.
For the final 100 miles between Ely and Illgen City, you will be completely surrounded by a thick forest featuring a wide variety of trees. If you're lucky, you may see a wild animal poking its head out of the woods.
This is the Land of 10,000 Lakes, after all. Why not pack a picnic lunch and hike in to one of the serene lakes along Highway 1?
Just a few miles off of Highway 1, the Baptism River flows through Tettegouche State Park. This awe-inspiring waterfall is the perfect way to start saying goodbye to your trip across Minnesota.
Though this unincorporated community doesn't have a whole lot of recreation to offer on its own, you will be within shouting distance of one of Minnesota's greatest treasures.
Or you can turn around and take the drive again! There are plenty of other teeny-tiny communities, little-known lakes, and secluded walking paths along this route. No matter how often you drive Highway 1, each time is different from the last.
That’s it! Have you ever taken a drive along Minnesota’s longest highway? Would you add anything else to see along the way? Let us know what you think!
