The Ultimate Minnesota North Shore Road Trip: 12 Incredible Stops Along Lake Superior

 There are some road trips where the journey is just as memorable as the destinations, and Minnesota's North Shore is definitely one of them.

Following Highway 61 along the shores of Lake Superior, this scenic drive takes you past rugged cliffs, rocky beaches, waterfalls, historic lighthouses, quiet coves, charming small towns, and some truly incredible views.

During our trip, we explored the North Shore from Duluth all the way to Grand Portage near the Canadian border. Along the way, we stopped at waterfalls, walked along the rocky shoreline, visited historic lighthouses, discovered a black sand beach, and found several beautiful places that made us want to slow down and simply enjoy Lake Superior.

If you are planning a trip to Minnesota's North Shore, this guide will take you through our route from south to north and help you plan your own unforgettable road trip.

Hovland Dock: An Unexpected Stop on Minnesota’s North Shore

This wasn't a planned stop, and I'm honestly not sure how we even ended up here—but I'm so glad we did.

Hovland is one of those unexpected places you stumble upon while traveling that ends up becoming one of your favorite memories. The scenery here is absolutely beautiful, and it felt like one of those places a photographer dreams of finding.

Of course, photographs can never completely capture the beauty of a place like this, but at least I have these pictures to remind me of this particular spot along Minnesota's North Shore.