North Shore Minnesota
Area Activities
Here’s some of our favorite things to do along the North Shore. You can always spend the weekend relaxing in your room, or get out and walk or bike the trails or visit the nearby State Parks. Drive along Scenic Highway 61 or the many miles on Northern Minnesota back roads and make your own discoveries about the land that borders the big lake. In addition to scenic outdoor adventure and relaxation there’s an abundance of nearby attractions including shops, cities, restaurants, museums, ATV rental, dog sledding!
Questions about what to do on your stay? Just ask!
If you’re not sure where to get started on the North Shore; ask Nick and Danielle at Gooseberry Park Cottages & Motel! We’re happy to help.
North Shore Lake Superior
North Shore Adventure
All Season Activities.
- State Parks – There are many state parks in the area including Gooseberry Falls, three miles from Gooseberry Park Cottages & Motel, Split Rock Lighthouse (6.1 mi.) just a few miles North. A little further North you’ll find Tettegouche State Park (18 mi.), Crosby Manitou (33 mi.), Temperance River (39 mi.), Cascade River (55 mi.), Judge C. R. Magney (83 mi.), and up along the border of Canada, Grand Portage (109 mi.).
- Hiking Trails – The nearest Superior Hiking Trail access is located up West Castle Danger Road roughly 2 miles via the Superior Hiking Trail. By staying at Gooseberry Park Cottages & Motel you can get shuttle service to entrances to the Superior Hiking Trail along Minnesota’s North Shore. Check out the Superior Hiking Shuttle to schedule a ride to your next hike!
- Fishing & Boating – Many types of rivers and fresh water lakes are nearby and of course, Lake Superior. Fish found in the area include lake trout, a variety of salmon in the rivers and inland lakes provide walleye, small mouth bass, northern pike, perch and brook trout. All the major lakes in the area offer an official DNR boat launch, or you can take your boat down to the Lake Superior boat landing at Burlington Bay in Two Harbors or traveling north to Iona's Beach access.
- Adventure Sailing on Lake Superior – Day sails on glassy seas, group excursions, romantic anniversary sails, family overnights, heavy weather sailing, Isle Royale circumnavigation–whatever your comfort level, skills, age, and abilities, we have something for you. Available year-round. Check out Amicus Adventure Sailing to book your sail boat ride.
- Wave watching – Take a moment to watch and listen to Lake Superior’s splashing waves in our own back yard or at any of the scenic stops along the shore. Check out Stoney Point to the South on Scenic Highway 61 for great waves, there may even be surfers out there!
- Nearby cities and local businesses – Cities just to the South: Two Harbors (14 mi.), Duluth (35 mi.). To the North: Beaver Bay (10 mi.), Silver Bay (13 mi.), Schroeder(38 mi.), Grand Marais (68 mi), Ely (79 mi)
Facts about Lake Superior & Minnesota’s North Shore | ||
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Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area and the third largest by volume | 3-quadrillion gallons (est) | |
The average temperate of Lake Superior | 39 degrees | |
Original names for the big lake | gichigami (Ojibwa), Lac Superieur (French), Gitche Gumee |
North Shore Adventure
Spring & Summer Activities.
- Bicycling – There’s many wonderful paved bike trails nearby including the Gitchi-Gami State Trail(GGST) which crosses the Gooseberry Park Cottages & Motel property. Once completed, the GGST will be 86 miles long.
- Canoeing and kayaking – The many inland lakes and rivers provide an abundance of canoeing and kayak opportunities. There’s also nearby Lake Superior access in Beaver Bay and Two Harbors. “North Shore Visitor” provides a helpful list of canoe and kayak access points in the area.
- Golfing – Golf courses are located a few miles to the South and to the North. South of us you’ll find Lake View National Golf Course in Two Harbors, and a number of golf courses in Duluth. North of Gooseberry Park Cottages & Motel you’ll find Silver Bay Municipal Golf Course, Superior National at Lutsen, and Gunflint Hills Golf Course near Grand Marais, Minnesota.
- More activities – include picnicking, dining at delicious, local restaurants like The Rustic Inn Cafe, The Scenic Cafe, Duluth Grill, or locally made pie at Betty’s Pies. Other activities include scenic overlooks at Palisade Head, agate hunting on Lake Superior beaches, birding, driving the Gunflint Trail, ride the North Shore Scenic Railroad, touring a great lakes freighter. Check our news page where we may occasionally highlight more exciting North Shore Minnesota activities.
North Shore Adventure
Autumn Activities.
- Falls colors tour – For a new perspective on the North Shore check out any of the trails, parks or scenic drives during the autumn months. Check out the North Shore Fall Color Report to plan your trip around peak fall color times
North Shore Adventure
Winter Activities.
- Snowshoeing – Venture our for an afternoon wildlife expedition at the nearby Superior Hiking Trails and state park hiking trails. For more information about trails check out North Shore Visitor Snowshoe Trails.
- Cross country skiing – Once the snow falls, cross country ski trails come to life. For more information about cross country ski trails checkout North Shore Visitor Ski Trails.
- Winter River Exploration – Come explore the wild rivers and gorges of the North Shore – in the winter!! January thru March offers a unique combination of ice, snow, and sun conditions that provide excellent travel opportunities for those who want to explore the unique rivers and gorges along the North Shore of Lake Superior. Check out Amicus to book your adventure.
- And other activities – Dog sledding is provided by area mushers see more here. Ice fishing, warming up in your room by the safe and clean gas fireplace, ice skating or making snow angels! Go downhill skiing or snowboarding at Lutsen or Spirit Mountain in Duluth. Snowmobile and ATV rental is available at nearby Beaver Bay Sports.
North Shore Adventure
Exciting Events & Festivals.
Every year there are some events that bring many visitors to the area. If you haven’t attended these events, check them out sometime!
Event | Season |
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Blues Festival | Summer – Second weekend in August |
Grandma’s Marathon | Summer – June |
Kayak Festival | Summer – August |
North Shore Inline Marathon | Summer – September |
John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon | Winter – January or March – weather permitting |
Guided hikes, classes, live music, museums
There’s a lot going on around the North Shore. Check out this North Shore calendar for special events like guided hikes and skiing and classes like wood working, bench making, artisan bread making, soap making and many other crafts.
- Agate Hunting
- ATV Riding: Close to major trails, Rentals available at Beaver Bay Sports, or Call: 218-226-4666
- Berry Picking
- Cross-Country Skiing
- Downhill Skiing
- Duluth and Canal Park www.duluthinfo.com
- George H. Crosby- Manitou State Park
- Gitchi-Gami State Trail
- Gooseberry Falls State Park
- Grandma's Marathon www.grandmasmarathon.com
- Kayaking Lake Superior Water Trail, Kayak Rentals available at Beaver Bay Sports or call 218-226-4666
- Knife River Marina
- Lakeview National Golf in Two Harbors
- Lake Superior Railroad Museum
- Lake Superior Scenic Railroad Rides
- North Shore Inline Marathon
- Scenic Boat and Railroad Tours
- Scenic Drives
- Silver Bay Golf Course
- Snowmobiling Local Trail Information 218-834-6626
- Snowmobile Rentals: Beaver Bay Sports: Call 218-226-4666
- Snowmobiling SPUR Trail - across highway, direct access from Cabins.
- Snowshoeing: Gooseberry Falls State park and Split Rock State Park: Snowshoe Rentals available at Park Office.
- Split Rock Lighthouse State Park
- Split Rock Lighthouse Historic Site
- Sugarloaf Cove
- Superior Hiking Trail
- Superior National Golf in Lutsen
- Tettegouche State Park
- Two Harbors Folk Festival
- Two Harbors Kayak Festival
- Two Harbors Museum and Ore Docks
- Two Harbors MN
- Lake County MN
- North Shore Guide
- Two Harbors Area Chamber of Commerce