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4 Great Northern Minnesota Scenic Vacation Drives

    Big Family Road Trip Thursday

    Northern Minnesota’s Scenic Vacation Drives

    With school back in session, it’s time to plan weekend getaways! This is a great time of year to head to  Northeastern Minnesota for four great scenic byways to take in the fall foliage.

    Gunflint Trail Scenic Byway – At 57 miles long from Grand Marais to Saganaga Lake makes for a great day trip. Traveling through Superior National Forest, along Lake Superior and with view s of Sawtooth Mountain Ridgeline, this road trip is a relaxing drive. Highlights include Pincushion Overlook and Recreation Center, Kettle Mountain/Northern Light Lake Hiking trail and Laurentian Divide Overlook.

    Sample Day Trip Itinerary, Mile by Mile Points of Interest, Gunflint Trail Map, Gunflint Info Page

    North Shore Scenic Drive – Meander down this 154 mile drive from Duluth to Grand Portage. Highlights along this scenic drive include 8 state parks, lighthouses, and waterfalls. Be sure to check out the Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center, Glensheen (an American castle), Edna G. Tugboat, and Split Rock Lighthouse.

    Sample Day Trip Itinerary, North Shore Info Page

    Superior National Forest Scenic Byway –  This 54 mile stretch from Aurora to Silver Bay is known for 250 year old White Pine trees. Other highlights include Cadotte lake Recreation Trail, Skibo Vista Scenic Overlook and Timber Arch Bridge.

    Superior National Forest Link,  Interactive Route Map

    Duluth Skyline Parkway – The shortest of the four drives, at 25 miles, this drive follows the curved hills across the city of Duluth. Stop at Enger Park observation tower or Hawk’s Ridge to observe hawks, falcons and eagles during their fall migration. Check out Seven Bridges Road featuring stone arch bridges.

    Duluth Skyline Parkway Link, Skyline Parkway History

    Want to hit the colors at their peak? Check the Fall Foliage in Minnesota

    Combine 2 or all four of these great drives for a great extended weekend in Minnesota’s Northeast region. Need a hotel for your family of 5, 6, 7, 8 in the Duluth area? Check out SixSuitcaseTravel.com

    Theresa Jorgensen

    Theresa Jorgensen

    Theresa Jorgensen is a mother to four children including twins. She recognized the necessity for a comprehensive resource of hotels that cater to big families with rooms and suites for 5, 6, 7, or 8 people in a single room while traveling with her own family. In 2008, she established SixSuitcaseTravel to compile a database of such hotels. Over time, the website has grown to include travel advice, itineraries, road trip suggestions, national park guides, and more. Theresa takes pleasure in assisting other big families in creating unforgettable travel experiences.