Sights and Recreation

The Visitor Information Center (218/226-3143, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Mon.–Sat., noon–4 p.m. Sun. summer, Sat.–Sun. Sept.–Oct.), a half-mile up the hill on Outer Drive, has a small historical display. Just beyond it (follow the signs) is a scenic overlook with signs identifying the various taconite buildings and explaining the process.

Keep going from the scenic overlook and you’ll find yourself on the Twin Lakes Trail, a 6.8-mile loop with spectacular views over Bean and Bear Lakes. Be prepared for fairly serious climbing.

Silver Bay is the eastern end of the 59-mile Superior National Forest Scenic Byway, which connects the North Shore to the Iron Range.

The Silver Bay Marina (218/226-3121, www.silverbay.com/marina, 8 a.m.–6 p.m. daily May–Oct., reduced hours after Labor Day) is a great place to stop and take a walk out over the rocky breakwater. Ask at the marina office for charter fishing recommendations.

Hotels

Rooms at the Mariner Motel (46 Outer Dr., 218/226-4488, $55) are large and clean, and since the town itself isn’t much of a tourist destination, this is a good place to look for last-minute bookings.

Ten miles northeast of Silver Bay, the Baptism River Inn (6125 Co. Hwy. 1, 218/353-0707 or 877/353-0707, www.baptismriverinn.com, $86–189) bed-and-breakfast sits in 32 acres of forest on its rushing namesake. The energy-efficient log home has a bright mix of art and Northwoods decor, and each of the three guestrooms have private baths with large whirlpool tubs; two have balconies. After hiking or using their snowshoes you can relax in the sauna.

The Whispering Pines Motel (5763 Hwy. 61, 218/226-4712, www.whisperingpinesmotel.com, $65–165) is nothing fancy, but has plenty of charm and a great location. In addition to 15 motel rooms, there is one honeymoon cabin, removed from the rest of the sites by a little footbridge, and a suite that sleeps six and has its own fully-stocked kitchen.

© Tim Bewer from Moon Minnesota, 3rd Edition