Take Highway 61 Through Minnesota For An Incredible 150-Mile Scenic Adventure That Ends At The Canadian Border
The Land of 10,000 Lakes is home to unsurpassed natural beauty and thrilling adventures, though perhaps there is no better lake than our very own Lake Superior, one of the United States’ five Great Lakes. And while we love making a splash in the lake itself when the temperatures allow, the destinations you’ll find on its shore along Highway 61 are even more incredible — and all you’ll need is an awesome driving playlist, some snacks, and your vehicle (preferably one with off-roading capabilities) to enjoy them.
Here’s the link to a Google Maps itinerary that will serve as your navigator on this epic road trip.
Bordered by jagged cliffs and unique rock formations, this unique wonder is, perhaps surprisingly, unnatural. The black sand is the result of taconite being dumped into the water by mining companies for years, then washing ashore with the waves. The particles of this mineral mixed with the sand to create an otherworldly destination unlike any other.
Near Silver Bar at milepost 57, turn onto a narrow lakeside road. This steep road features some tight maneuvering and leads to the top of a coastal cliff where you will discover jaw-dropping views. Made of rhyolite, a light-colored volcanic rock that provides a stark contrast to the dark basalt common along the shore, this 350-foot vertical cliff face is, in a word, awe-inspiring.
This tiny, two-block community was built by the Erie Mining Company in the 1950s to provide housing for the employees of the nearby taconite plant. In 1988, the last remaining resident of the town moved away, and today, all that remains are foundations, streets, and a few street lights. Walk through the once vibrant community, marvel at a place since left to nature, and if you visit at night, look up to the skies — with little to no light pollution, this spot is a stargazer’s dream.
To visit, park on any of the city’s streets and walk south towards the Grand Marais Coast Guard Station, where you will turn left and venture out onto the rocky coastline. Be sure to walk out to the pine-covered "island" for a fantastic vantage point of the shoreline.
Situated on the Canadian border, this 278-acre park is held by the surrounding Grand Portage Indian Reservation and leased to the state of Minnesota for just $1 a year. It is the only U.S. state park jointly managed by a state and a Native American band and is the only Minnesota state park not owned by the state.
So, what are you waiting for? The next time you’re aching for a little adventure, you’ll want to pack up your car, fill up the tank, and enjoy a thrilling, off-the-paved-path day trip along Minnesota’s scenic, serene, and sensational North Shore. Of course, if you prefer to add the classics to your drive, the North Shore is also full of more well-known destinations, too, like Tettegouche State Park, the Split Rock Lighthouse, and Glensheen Mansion.