Scenic North Shore Drive: Ultimate Road Trip Guide from Duluth to Canada

Minnesota's North Shore Drive (Highway 61) follows Lake Superior's coastline from Duluth to Grand Portage at the Canadian border. Unlike my usual solo expeditions up active volcanoes, this journey is perfect for families seeking a mix of nature, small-town charm, and outdoor activities without technical challenges.

I tackled this drive last July with my visiting parents (Dad was keen to see what American forests looked like compared to the Aussie bush), and we spread it across 5 days. You could rush it in 2-3 days, but with kids in tow, I'd recommend a full week to truly savor the experience.

The route is straightforward – just follow Highway 61 northeast from Duluth. Cell service can be spotty in parts, so I always bring my offline navigation tool as backup. It saved us when trying to locate some of the more hidden waterfalls!

Accommodation ranges from campgrounds to cozy cabins and motels in towns like Two Harbors, Silver Bay, Grand Marais, and Grand Portage. Book ahead during summer months – we nearly ended up sleeping in the car when Grand Marais was fully booked for a festival weekend!

As someone who geeks out over rock formations, the North Shore is absolute paradise! This entire coastline was shaped by ancient volcanic activity and glaciation, creating a landscape that's both scientifically fascinating and visually spectacular.

Start your geological journey at Iona's Beach between Two Harbors and Silver Bay, where pink rhyolite rocks (created from ancient lava flows) make a musical tinkling sound as waves wash over them. My dad thought I was bonkers sitting there for an hour just listening and sketching, but even the kids around us were mesmerized!

The waterfalls along this route deserve their own highlight reel. Gooseberry Falls is the most accessible and family-friendly, with easy viewing platforms perfect for all ages. But if you're up for short hikes with the kids, don't miss High Falls at Tettegouche State Park (my personal favorite at 70 feet tall) or the dramatic Devil's Kettle at Judge C.R. Magney State Park, where half a river mysteriously disappears into a hole in the rock!

For the best waterfall experiences, I always bring my waterproof hiking shoes which let me scramble on slippery rocks safely. And don't forget a waterproof phone case – I learned this lesson the hard way after nearly dropping my phone into Gooseberry Falls while trying to capture the perfect shot!

While the natural scenery steals the show, the North Shore offers plenty of family-friendly attractions that won't drain your wallet.

Split Rock Lighthouse is worth every penny of its modest entrance fee. This iconic 1910 beacon perched atop a 130-foot cliff offers not just spectacular views but fascinating history. My inner geology nerd was thrilled to learn it was built in response to storms that devastated ships traveling over what was once an active volcanic rift valley!

For a free adventure, head to Agate Beach in Lutsen where kids can spend hours hunting for Lake Superior agates – semiprecious gemstones formed in ancient lava flows. I brought along a rock tumbler kit to polish our finds back at the cabin, which was a massive hit with the neighbor kids who joined our impromptu geology lesson.

In Grand Marais, treat the family to world-famous pie at the Pie Place Café (the blueberry crumble changed my life), then burn off those calories with a hike up to Artist's Point for breathtaking harbor views.

One hidden gem most tourists miss is the Kadunce River Gorge between Grand Marais and Grand Portage. This slot-canyon-like creek walk requires wading through ankle-deep water between towering rock walls – my nephews declared it "better than any water park" when they visited last summer. Just bring water shoes for everyone as the rocks can be slippery and sharp.

Coming from Australia where everything seems to cost an arm and a leg, I was pleasantly surprised by how affordable a North Shore adventure can be with some strategic planning.

Accommodation is your biggest expense, but there are plenty of options for budget-conscious families. State park campgrounds like Gooseberry Falls and Tettegouche offer sites from $20-35 per night with clean facilities and prime locations. We split our trip between camping and a small cabin rental in Grand Marais found on vacation rental site which saved us heaps compared to lakefront resorts.

For meals, I recommend the hybrid approach: pack a portable cooler for breakfasts and lunches, then treat yourselves to local dinners every other night. The Rustic Inn Café near Castle Danger serves enormous portions (one meal easily feeds two kids), while Northern Waters Smokehaus in Duluth offers incredible smoked fish sandwiches perfect for picnics.

My budget hack: most visitor centers have microwaves and indoor seating areas where you can enjoy packed meals on rainy days without feeling obligated to purchase anything. And don't miss Betty's Pies in Two Harbors – splitting one slice between family members gives you the experience without the expense (though you'll be fighting over the last bites of their legendary five-layer chocolate pie!).