The United States is full of incredible drives. They lead across deserts, through mountain ranges, and alongside stunning coastlines. Those are the types of drives that get the most attention, but there are many more to discover! We have more than a few scenic drives in Minnesota that, while not surrounded by ocean views or towering mountains, are still full of beautiful landscapes. Our most popular drive is the North Shore Scenic Drive. Head up to northern Minnesota to enjoy this beautiful route along the North Shore of Lake Superior. Before you hit the road on this scenic drive in Minnesota - one of the best road trips in the USA, in fact - make sure to prepare with our Road Trip Essentials Packing List & Guide.
The North Shore Scenic Drive is a beautiful drive along the North Shore of Lake Superior in Minnesota. Also called Highway 61, it takes drivers over 150 miles through some of the state's prettiest scenery.
Along this scenic byway in Minnesota, drivers are treated with spectacular views of Lake Superior. There are many points along the way where you can park and truly take in the scenery.
In addition to things you can see from the roadside, there are also many places to stop along the route. Some of Minnesota's most popular state parks are found along the route, including Gooseberry Falls, Split Rock Lighthouse, and Tettegouche - to name only a few.
You'll get to see Minnesota's beautiful natural landscape, which includes waterfalls, waterfront cliffs, sparkling lakes, and thick forests. This route is absolutely full of beauty.
You'll also see human-made sights, which are just as beautiful. For example, you can watch boats coming into the harbor in Duluth or loading iron ore in Two Harbors.
If you're looking for one of the most beautiful drives in the country, this Minnesota scenic drive should be at the top of your list. This beautiful road trip is full of gorgeous landscapes!
Have you driven the North Shore Scenic Drive? Do you have any other favorite drives in Minnesota? Let us know in the comments, or by filling out our nomination form. And if you're looking for another beautiful drive, check out this amazing waterfall route through Minnesota.
Everyone In Minnesota Should Take This Underappreciated Scenic Drive
The Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway offers a picturesque 300-mile journey through western and central Minnesota, featuring beautiful scenery, small towns, and historical sites.
Minnesota is home to many scenic drives, from dirt roads canopied by trees to gorgeous highways overlooking lakes and rivers. And there are more than a few official scenic byways that take travelers on a journey through the most beautiful parts of the Land of 10,000 Lakes. One of the state's best - and most unappreciated - scenic drives is the Minnesota River Valley National Scenic Byway. Take a look at this beautiful Minnesota scenic byway, which is so fabulous that it's earned national status:
advertisement
The Minnesota River Valley National Scenic Byway is a gorgeous, 300-mile journey through western and central Minnesota.
Along the way, you'll pass through some of Minnesota's prettiest and most overlooked scenery, where you'll have countless opportunities to get out and enjoy the beauty up close.
Minnesota's scenic byways are pretty hard to beat, no matter which of the 22 you take! But it's no secret that some routes get a little more attention than others. The Minnesota River Valley National Scenic Byway is an overlooked scenic drive that is well worth a detour. Visit the official website to get a full list of every park, museum, and waypoint along the way so you can plan your adventure!
How many scenic byways have you checked off your bucket list? Let us know in the comments below!
This byway is a long journey, so along the way, you might need a basecamp. If a unique stay in a brewery sounds like a good time, we have just the place!
A Minnesota road trip is one of the best ways to experience the beauty of the state. While most out-of-towners associate our state with Minneapolis and St. Paul, there are so many more things to do in Minnesota beyond the Twin Cities. And even when you cut out the state’s other popular destinations -like the North Shore - Minnesota still offers plenty of beauty for locals and visitors to enjoy.
advertisement
Today, we want to remind you why some of the best day trips in Minnesota may be in less-expected parts of the state. Below, you’ll find one of the most scenic drives in Minnesota that will make you fall in love with our state all over again. It will guide you to beautiful lakes, waterfalls, prairies, and more. Curious to know more? Read on to learn about the route so you can start planning your trip!
Because the Twin Cities and North Shore get so much attention, we decided to focus this trip on southern and southwestern Minnesota. This route covers about 260 miles and includes just over 5 hours of driving time. It would make for a great weekend adventure too!
Our road trip begins on Minnesota’s eastern border, at Frontenac State Park. This beautiful park in Lake City includes spectacular views of the Mississippi River. More specifically, the hiking trails, scenic vantage points, and picnic areas look out over Lake Pepin. Visitors can climb up bluff trails, check out a historic stone quarry, look for wildlife in the woods, and enjoy the beautiful blufftop views. Take a look at Frontenac State Park to learn more about this Minnesota road trip stop.
After you’re finished at Frontenac, drive about 50 miles east to Nerstrand Big Woods State Park. Named after its lovely woods, which include sugar maple, oak, hickory, ash, elm, and basswood, Nerstrand is a great stop for nature enthusiasts. Wildflowers bloom in the spring and summer, and you can even see endangered trout lilies along a special boardwalk trail. Many don’t realize that there’s also a stunning waterfall hidden in the woods here. Aptly named Hidden Falls is a 20-foot waterfall that offers lovely views in any season. Learn why Nerstrand Big Woods State Park will be another highlight on your road trip from Minnesota.
Minneopa State Park is home to one of Minnesota’s most well-known waterfalls! It’s about 60 miles west of Nerstrand Big Woods, and it makes for a perfect stop if you’d like to continue looking for waterfalls. Minneopa is much larger, with a double drop 50 feet into a sandstone gorge. Picturesque bridges make it look like something from a fairy tale, and a steep yet lovely hike will bring you down to the base of the falls. When you’re finished, drive through the bison area for a chance to see where in Minnesota buffalo roam!
Keep heading west for about 90 miles to Lake Shetek State Park, the next stop on your scenic drive in Minnesota. This is a little-known park near Minnesota’s southwestern corner. The little-known park is centered on Lake Shetek, a lovely body of water that offers boating, fishing, and swimming. There’s a sandy beach for summertime adventures, a boat landing, and even a fishing pier where people often pull in walleye, pike, perch, crappies, and catfish. The park even has an island that you can walk to via the Loon Island Causeway. This is a great place for adventure that many Minnesotans have never even heard of!
Most Minnesotans know that our state has a national park, Voyageurs National Park up north. But few realize that we also have a national monument. Pipestone preserves quarries used by many different Native American groups for centuries. They quarried pink quartzite from the area to make ceremonial pipes. Today, the quarries are still used by some groups, and they are still considered sacred. Visitors looking for things to do in Minnesota can see the quarries, hike along beautiful trails between gorgeous quartzite cliffs, and even see Winnewissa Falls, a little-known Minnesota waterfall!
South of Pipestone, Blue Mounds State Park has even more of the area’s pink quartzite cliffs. These unique cliffs - found in no other part of Minnesota - rise over a vast prairie. Prairie grasses wave in the wind, and wildflowers - and even prickly pear cacti - grow here. Visitors may hike along the cliffs, explore wooded areas, and even look for the bison that roam the prairie. Adventurous visitors can even do rock climbing while taking time out on their Minnesota road trip.
Our road trip from Minnesota ends at a little-known part of the state. For some, it may be difficult to see the beauty of this flat, grass-filled prairie. But Touch the Sky’s quiet beauty will impress you if you look closely. The area preserves native tallgrass prairie and wildflowers. In the summertime, you may spot butterflies and other critters hiding among the greenery. And if explore, you can even find a rare prairie waterfall trickling through the grass!
There you have it! What would you add to this road trip? Are there any other beautiful spots in Minnesota that you’re itching to visit? Let us know in the comments!
To help you prepare for your Minnesota road trip with your family, take a look at our Road Trip Essentials Packing List & Guide. Here, you'll find everything you need to plan for a comfortable, fun, and memorable adventure with your loved ones. And if you’d like to follow another beautiful journey, check out our waterfall road trip through Minnesota.
