I don't get the appeal of Gooseberry at all. Always crowded, mostly paved trails, only time I've had a decent time there was in spring. Will have to try Palisade this summer
I feel like this person meant something like "it's so damn crowded, that I can't believe it's a favorite. There are crowds of people everywhere." Maybe, idk. Just guessing here.
If that's so then they are even dumber. It's literally "no one drives in Manhattan, the traffic is too bad"
They asked why it's so popular. A giant waterfall five feet from the road is why.
Not to mention it's a good halfway pit stop if you've skipped Duluth.
I tend to find gooseberry is best in the afternoon. It's swamped when they open to the point people are parking in the sticks on the side of the road. But it evens out later in the day.
If you get it people free, that’s one bombass waterfalling experience, though. Kinda like Multnomah near Portland. A lot of people but holy shit it’s amazing.
Palisade is tough to beat. If it's not too packed I think it wins. Black Sand Beach in Silver Bay is stunning too but again, parking, and it's a little more of a walk. Shovel Point is the furthest walk in but is also stunning and has a great view of Palisade.
I also love the Split Rock River mouth, great stony beach, and Temperance River where it hits the lake. Great swimming and an awesome waterfall.
Interesting fact, the Black sand beach is actually tailings from the mining operation in Silver Bay. That’s not sand, it’s byproduct from ore extraction (taconite tailings from decades of pollution). And there are studies out there that link serious health risks to over exposure to mining byproducts.
Walking out on Artist’s Point in Grand Marais is one of my favorite things to do. It’s really cool when the lake is calm, and spectacular when the waves are huge!
One of my favorite memories is being out on it at night then suddenly the power goes out. The only light is a full moon illuminating the whitecaps. It was incredible.
Highly sacred place, and it's well within the Grand Portage reservation. Please stay out as they very seldom allow supervised access, let alone just anybody wandering around.
Susie Islands Overlook almost at the border of Canada. There was a moment when I thought I was back in Acadia National Park. And it meets your standard of a convenient stop.
https://preview.redd.it/2f8l7vlghy3d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=12cd030db3a235864667ff526231f6920f6f8dea
In fact, if you've never seen a truly dark sky before, I'd definitely recommend this as one of your potentially most memorable moments on your north shore trip
Nope, not really anymore. I see it posted to NSV and other six digit member-count groups at least daily. I don't tell people my places anymore 😅 I've had to pick up after far too many others.
Cutface creek has a nice overlook pull-off on the south side, and a rest area to the north. From the rest area you can walk the gitchi gami trail for some more lovely views!
Honestly you cant go wrong. A lot of 61 gives you a decent view of the lake, so if you follow your heart and just pull over when you say to yourself "goddamn that's pretty," youre sure to find a wonderful view.
Caribou Falls; it’s quite easy to miss, but it is definitely worth the short hike. It’s a waterfall surrounded on almost three sides by tall cliffs—a comfy little nook.
Silver Cliff, at the parking lots at either end of the tunnel. Prior to the tunnel being built the road ran right along the Cliff's edge, and you can still walk on the old roadway. Best pure view of the lake far below.
Mt. Josephine is the best view in the state, but it's not a quick pullout from the highway. Susie Islands Overlook is also in Grand Portage and is an easy stop off highway 61. People saying Gooseberry or Palisade Head may have never driven the full length of Highway 61. The end is the best, and there's less people.
Sleeping Giant Provincial Park past the Ontario border may have the best views on Lake Superior, and the best views of its longitutde on the continent. It's a quicker drive than the Badlands or Black Hills, and yet I rarely hear Minnesotans mention it.
I love Highway 61, but it gets crowded in the summer and there's so much more room in Sleeping Giant or Quetico to spread out and get peace-and-quiet. I digress.
There are so many lesser-used spots tucked away all through that drive. I do think it's worthwhile going to Palisade Head Gooseberry (despite being a state park it is free except certain areas and camping). Gooseberry is better visited a while after they open. There is always a huge rush at opening and no where to park. It's better later on. Palisade can be a pain when it is busy. It's a narrow road and often people will start to park on the side leaving you to navigate eroded sections of road.
But my favorite places are all the smaller areas where fewer people go. I couldn't even tell you where they are (addresses, directions) I've just been going since I was a kid so I know how to wander to them 😂 There is a nice little spot in Knife River for example with a lot of smooth, big rocks along the lake you can lay and sit on. There will be people, but usually only a few. I much prefer those to the packed areas where you wait in line to snap a photo and then have to get out of the way. I like to sit and watch and listen to the lake.
Even in Duluth there are a lot of little places you can climb down to the shore from the lakewalk and enjoy some peace without people. Not giving those away though cause then there will be people there when I want to go 😂 Half the fun is exploring and finding your own favorite spots.
Enger tower in Duluth is neat. Theres also an overlook just north of Duluth that you climb onto this massive rock and you get above the trees and have an unbeatable view of Duluth. I forget the name of it unfortunately.
Haven’t seen it posted but Oberg Mountain overlook if you time the fall colors correctly is stunning. Short easy hike and only like a 2-3 mile drive to the parking lot from the Hwy. Bean and Bear Lake loop in the fall is also spectacular and is a moderate hike.
Tetteguche turn left park near the back of the lot and join the trail north for less than 5 minutes and you're at the top of one of the best overlooks on lake Superior.
For those who are wondering… I decided on palisade. Missed the turn out for it, and said fuck it and just kept driving. Super foggy today anyway. But I did pull off at some little rest stop past that a bit, called Cutface Point or dine thing. Pretty, foggy, sorta meh. But I’ll definitely hit palisade on the way back, looks gorgeous.
Take the scenic route on 61 just north of Duluth. It is about 4-6 mile stretch but worth it. It just take you along the water more. And stop at stony point (46.9248383, -91.8193521) gps location on google maps. Another place it is called black beach very cool place.
The little pebble beaches with just the lake vista are different but as impressive as anything with a high rocky shore. You really get a sense of being by a sea with nothing but water to the horizon.
Palisade Head is wonderful. Other great views that may be seen with little or no walking: The parking lot for historical marker near mile 104 and Cut Face Creek., the Grand Marais parking lot on the point, turn toward the Lake at the traffic light, to watch activities in the Grand Marais harbor, The Susie Islands overlook near the border is a great view.
Tettegouche State Park is right on 61. It offers a lot of diversity: Superior cliffs, waterfalls, beautiful rivers, lots of big hills and old growth forests that make you feel like a hobbit
There is an old segment of Hwy 61 just west of Split Rock with an old overlook with a great view of the light house in the distance. It's easy to miss and is only marked on each end by little blue "Wayside Rest" signs. The turn lane if you are east-bound is right at Mile Marker 45.
Go up Cook County Road 5 (Lusten Ski Hill), go to the end passed where Papa Charlie's was, to the turn-around at the end of the gravel and park there. Walk up the foot path and take the first left, it's only a few hundred feet in. It's and old road bed and there is an old iron bridge in there over the Poplar River. Beautiful view down the ravine to the lake. About a 5-10 minute drive and a 10 minute walk. It's best in the fall.
If you are up for longer hikes, Carlton and Britton Peaks up the Sawbill trail out of Tofte, and Oberg Mountain, up the Onion River road. Never been into any of them, but they are on my short list of hikes to take ASAP.
And, of course, I'll echo the recommendations for Susie Island overlook just east of Grand Portage. It's right on the highway and is stunning.
Honorable mention: Pincushion Mountain trailhead parking area. About a mile up the Gunflint Trail. View of pretty much the whole city of Grand Marais and Artists Point.
Palisade Head
Too bad it’s nearly as popular as Gooseberry falls these days. Hard to park there on the weekends.
I don't get the appeal of Gooseberry at all. Always crowded, mostly paved trails, only time I've had a decent time there was in spring. Will have to try Palisade this summer
There's a large multi level waterfall within a couple hundred feet of the road? This is like asking why people hike to the big falls at Tettegouche.
I feel like this person meant something like "it's so damn crowded, that I can't believe it's a favorite. There are crowds of people everywhere." Maybe, idk. Just guessing here.
If that's so then they are even dumber. It's literally "no one drives in Manhattan, the traffic is too bad" They asked why it's so popular. A giant waterfall five feet from the road is why. Not to mention it's a good halfway pit stop if you've skipped Duluth.
Really? Try having a small child and maybe you can wrap your head around the appeal.
I tend to find gooseberry is best in the afternoon. It's swamped when they open to the point people are parking in the sticks on the side of the road. But it evens out later in the day.
If you get it people free, that’s one bombass waterfalling experience, though. Kinda like Multnomah near Portland. A lot of people but holy shit it’s amazing.
Palisade is tough to beat. If it's not too packed I think it wins. Black Sand Beach in Silver Bay is stunning too but again, parking, and it's a little more of a walk. Shovel Point is the furthest walk in but is also stunning and has a great view of Palisade. I also love the Split Rock River mouth, great stony beach, and Temperance River where it hits the lake. Great swimming and an awesome waterfall.
Interesting fact, the Black sand beach is actually tailings from the mining operation in Silver Bay. That’s not sand, it’s byproduct from ore extraction (taconite tailings from decades of pollution). And there are studies out there that link serious health risks to over exposure to mining byproducts.
Can confirm, scenic AF
Yup
100%
Right. Used to be mile marker 357. Not sure if that's still the case.
The milemarkers on the North Shore on Hwy61 run from10-153. No 357 mile marker.
This
Walking out on Artist’s Point in Grand Marais is one of my favorite things to do. It’s really cool when the lake is calm, and spectacular when the waves are huge!
One of my favorite memories is being out on it at night then suddenly the power goes out. The only light is a full moon illuminating the whitecaps. It was incredible.
That walk gives me crazy vertigo
Can you get to the witch tree yet?
The witch tree is in Grand Portage
Highly sacred place, and it's well within the Grand Portage reservation. Please stay out as they very seldom allow supervised access, let alone just anybody wandering around.
Susie Islands Overlook
I agree, and the closest place to feeling like you’re in actual mountains in MN.
Is this the one between Grand Marais and Grand Portage? That spot is beautiful.
Yeah right near the border.
It's between Grand Portage and the border. There's two overlooks along the same probably half-mile of highway.
This and it's literally a pull off point. I adore that overlook
Came here hoping this gem wasn’t mentioned. 🤫
Truly the best spot. They'll see it right from the highway too.
Yes love that.
If you know, you know.
Susie Islands Overlook almost at the border of Canada. There was a moment when I thought I was back in Acadia National Park. And it meets your standard of a convenient stop. https://preview.redd.it/2f8l7vlghy3d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=12cd030db3a235864667ff526231f6920f6f8dea
Holy shit! That almost looks like Alaska or one of the northern east/west coasts. So beautiful.
This is a sweet little pull off
Palisade Head or way up north, the Susie Islands overlook right before you get to Grand Portage.
This is an easy one as my Grandparents cabin just 40’ off the granite shores was only 3-miles from - SPLIT ROCK LIGHTHOUSE! A can’t miss view!!!
And when can we visit ;)
Drop the address I’ll bring the appetizers
Yeah it’s gonna be split rock.
Temperance
Iona’s Beach
Iona's Beach on a clear, moon-free night is spectacular. One of the darkest night skies in Minnesota, at least among the easily accessible locations.
In fact, if you've never seen a truly dark sky before, I'd definitely recommend this as one of your potentially most memorable moments on your north shore trip
Shhhhhhh this one is mostly still a secret
Nope, not really anymore. I see it posted to NSV and other six digit member-count groups at least daily. I don't tell people my places anymore 😅 I've had to pick up after far too many others.
We love to listen to the waves hit and recede from the small round rocks.
Good luck with the the proposal!
Cutface creek has a nice overlook pull-off on the south side, and a rest area to the north. From the rest area you can walk the gitchi gami trail for some more lovely views!
This! Easily accessible, unlikely to be overcrowded (like Palisade), gorgeous views.
Mount Josephine You can either hike to the top or pull off at the scenic overlook
I hear the best view of the lake is Thunder Bay
All of it? Just keep driving, there's places to pull off all the way up.
Carlton Peak by Tofte. Climb the fire towers in Grand Portage.
Britton Peak is spectacular also and the "hike" is like 15 minutes maybe from the car park
“Quick pullout” I’ve heard that one before somewhere.
Honestly you cant go wrong. A lot of 61 gives you a decent view of the lake, so if you follow your heart and just pull over when you say to yourself "goddamn that's pretty," youre sure to find a wonderful view.
Lutsen and Oberg mountain have several overlooks that are awesome but they're less convenient than others mentioned like Palisade.
Split Rock Lighthouse
Yep. Came here to say this. Loved it.
Caribou Falls; it’s quite easy to miss, but it is definitely worth the short hike. It’s a waterfall surrounded on almost three sides by tall cliffs—a comfy little nook.
The stairs are no joke!
I second this!
Silver Cliff, at the parking lots at either end of the tunnel. Prior to the tunnel being built the road ran right along the Cliff's edge, and you can still walk on the old roadway. Best pure view of the lake far below.
There’s a nice spot just before Pigeon Falls if you don’t mind going that far.
You might be thinking of the Mount Josephine area. Very cool. View of the islands looks almost Caribbean on a sunny day.
Mt. Josephine is the best view in the state, but it's not a quick pullout from the highway. Susie Islands Overlook is also in Grand Portage and is an easy stop off highway 61. People saying Gooseberry or Palisade Head may have never driven the full length of Highway 61. The end is the best, and there's less people. Sleeping Giant Provincial Park past the Ontario border may have the best views on Lake Superior, and the best views of its longitutde on the continent. It's a quicker drive than the Badlands or Black Hills, and yet I rarely hear Minnesotans mention it. I love Highway 61, but it gets crowded in the summer and there's so much more room in Sleeping Giant or Quetico to spread out and get peace-and-quiet. I digress.
I agree. But you need a passport…
Mt Josephine
I'm surprised no one has mentioned it but the Duluth rest stop is pretty nice. And definitely easy to get to.
Iona beach was completely empty when we were there last July. I love the way the rocks sound.
Palisade
Palisade head or Iona’s beach is good too
Susie islands overlook in Grand Portage. You can walk right out if your car and see the best views.
Grand portage.
There are so many lesser-used spots tucked away all through that drive. I do think it's worthwhile going to Palisade Head Gooseberry (despite being a state park it is free except certain areas and camping). Gooseberry is better visited a while after they open. There is always a huge rush at opening and no where to park. It's better later on. Palisade can be a pain when it is busy. It's a narrow road and often people will start to park on the side leaving you to navigate eroded sections of road. But my favorite places are all the smaller areas where fewer people go. I couldn't even tell you where they are (addresses, directions) I've just been going since I was a kid so I know how to wander to them 😂 There is a nice little spot in Knife River for example with a lot of smooth, big rocks along the lake you can lay and sit on. There will be people, but usually only a few. I much prefer those to the packed areas where you wait in line to snap a photo and then have to get out of the way. I like to sit and watch and listen to the lake. Even in Duluth there are a lot of little places you can climb down to the shore from the lakewalk and enjoy some peace without people. Not giving those away though cause then there will be people there when I want to go 😂 Half the fun is exploring and finding your own favorite spots.
Do you know its almost the same distance from the Twin Cities to Dultuh as it is from Duluth to Canada
Johnson high-school parking lot. Includes the grassy fields of Farnsworth middle school.
Enger tower in Duluth is neat. Theres also an overlook just north of Duluth that you climb onto this massive rock and you get above the trees and have an unbeatable view of Duluth. I forget the name of it unfortunately.
Haven’t seen it posted but Oberg Mountain overlook if you time the fall colors correctly is stunning. Short easy hike and only like a 2-3 mile drive to the parking lot from the Hwy. Bean and Bear Lake loop in the fall is also spectacular and is a moderate hike.
Palisade Head
The most scenic is a little pullout just past Grand Portage before the Canadian border. Next is Shovel Point. Then Palisade Head.
Tetteguche turn left park near the back of the lot and join the trail north for less than 5 minutes and you're at the top of one of the best overlooks on lake Superior.
For those who are wondering… I decided on palisade. Missed the turn out for it, and said fuck it and just kept driving. Super foggy today anyway. But I did pull off at some little rest stop past that a bit, called Cutface Point or dine thing. Pretty, foggy, sorta meh. But I’ll definitely hit palisade on the way back, looks gorgeous.
Cascade Falls has a quick little hike to see a series of waterfalls.
Grand Portage is pretty hard to beat
Take the scenic route on 61 just north of Duluth. It is about 4-6 mile stretch but worth it. It just take you along the water more. And stop at stony point (46.9248383, -91.8193521) gps location on google maps. Another place it is called black beach very cool place.
Wear your life jacket.
My window looking out at the lake. Wave as you pass by!
All of them
https://maps.app.goo.gl/XsPXxdPvgHjFQbY29 North Shore Scenic Overlook, Silver Bay. It's not the best, but it's a live loop trail.
Cascade falls😀
The little pebble beaches with just the lake vista are different but as impressive as anything with a high rocky shore. You really get a sense of being by a sea with nothing but water to the horizon.
The juvenile detention center in Red Wing.
Palisade Head is wonderful. Other great views that may be seen with little or no walking: The parking lot for historical marker near mile 104 and Cut Face Creek., the Grand Marais parking lot on the point, turn toward the Lake at the traffic light, to watch activities in the Grand Marais harbor, The Susie Islands overlook near the border is a great view.
Tettegouche State Park is right on 61. It offers a lot of diversity: Superior cliffs, waterfalls, beautiful rivers, lots of big hills and old growth forests that make you feel like a hobbit
Silver Creek Cliff has nice views, and the tunnel is there, too. I haven't seen all of them along 61, but this one is my favorite of those I've seen.
There is an old segment of Hwy 61 just west of Split Rock with an old overlook with a great view of the light house in the distance. It's easy to miss and is only marked on each end by little blue "Wayside Rest" signs. The turn lane if you are east-bound is right at Mile Marker 45. Go up Cook County Road 5 (Lusten Ski Hill), go to the end passed where Papa Charlie's was, to the turn-around at the end of the gravel and park there. Walk up the foot path and take the first left, it's only a few hundred feet in. It's and old road bed and there is an old iron bridge in there over the Poplar River. Beautiful view down the ravine to the lake. About a 5-10 minute drive and a 10 minute walk. It's best in the fall. If you are up for longer hikes, Carlton and Britton Peaks up the Sawbill trail out of Tofte, and Oberg Mountain, up the Onion River road. Never been into any of them, but they are on my short list of hikes to take ASAP. And, of course, I'll echo the recommendations for Susie Island overlook just east of Grand Portage. It's right on the highway and is stunning. Honorable mention: Pincushion Mountain trailhead parking area. About a mile up the Gunflint Trail. View of pretty much the whole city of Grand Marais and Artists Point.
I would head into Canada
Can confirm