Planning Your Time

A week is enough time to circle through northeast Minnesota [1]’s four distinct regions, but if you love the outdoors even a month isn’t enough time to really explore it. Duluth [2] is a logical starting point, and though it’s not centrally located, it could be used as a base for your entire visit.

From Hawk Ridge [3] to the Aerial Lift Bridge [3] it’s a fascinating city and deserves several days, but if your time is limited just make sure you at least poke around Canal Park [4].

Two days is the minimum to properly do the North Shore, but if you’ve only got one you can easily get to Two Harbors [5], Gooseberry Falls State Park [6], and Split Rock Lighthouse State Park [7] and still get back to Duluth.

The abundance of outfitters and resorts around Voyageurs National Park [8] and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness [9] means you don’t need any outdoors experience to get deep into the remote, lake-littered Boundary Waters region, one of the most beautiful places on earth, and you’re missing out if you don’t spend at least one night on a remote lakeshore.

Finally, don’t cross the often-overlooked Iron Range [10] without getting an up-close look at one of the massive open pit mines.