North Shore Day Trip from Duluth to Grand Marais

The drive up Lake Superior's North Shore is one of Minnesota's great road trips, and you can see a lot of it in a single day. Waterfalls, rocky beaches, a famous lighthouse and an artsy harbor town all sit along one highway.

This guide follows the classic route from Duluth's Canal Park to Grand Marais, with stops in order and rough drive times. The times below are estimates without stops, based on typical driving conditions, so build in extra time for photos, snacks and weather. In winter, check MnDOT's 511 road conditions before you go.

The route at a glance

The North Shore Scenic Drive runs about 154 miles from Duluth to Grand Portage near the Canadian border. For a day trip, Grand Marais makes a natural turnaround point. From Canal Park, it's roughly 112 miles and about two and a half hours of driving each way without stops. Leaving Duluth, you can take the slower, scenic old Highway 61, also called County Road 61, along the lake to Two Harbors. From there, Highway 61 carries you the rest of the way north. Here are rough distances from Canal Park: Two Harbors about 27 miles, Gooseberry Falls about 41 miles, Split Rock about 48 miles, Tettegouche about 61 miles and Grand Marais about 112 miles. If you want to spread the trip out, our North Shore lodging guide lists places to stay along the way. Leave early. Daylight is short from November through February. Fill your tank in Duluth or Two Harbors. Bring a state park vehicle permit if you plan to stop at several parks. Pack layers. It's often colder and windier right on the lake.

Stop 1: Two Harbors

About 40 minutes from Canal Park, Two Harbors is a friendly first stop for coffee and a stretch. Its lakefront is a nice spot to stretch your legs and watch the water. It's also a good place to grab supplies before the shore gets more remote. Check our Two Harbors page for what's happening in town today.

Stop 2: Gooseberry Falls State Park

Gooseberry Falls is the shore's classic waterfall stop, just a few miles northeast of Two Harbors. Short paths lead from the visitor center to the falls, and historic log and stone buildings add to the scenery. In winter, the falls freeze into sculpted curtains of ice. Here's a handy tip: the DNR says you don't need a vehicle permit to park in the wayside and visitor center lot. The visitor center and Nature Store are open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the park itself is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Parking at the visitor center lot can be limited to about two hours on busy days. Want a longer walk? A paved 2.5-mile segment of the Gitchi-Gami State Trail runs through the park. See our Minnesota hiking guide for more trails.

Stop 3: Split Rock Lighthouse

Split Rock Lighthouse may be the most photographed spot in Minnesota. It sits high on a cliff above the lake, and its story begins with disaster. The Minnesota Historical Society says a November gale in 1905 wrecked nearly 30 ships, which led to the lighthouse's construction. Its beacon guided mariners from 1910 to 1969. The lighthouse is a Minnesota Historical Society site with its own admission and hours, and it sits inside Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, which is run by the DNR. Parking is free for historic site visitors during site hours, but a state park vehicle permit is needed outside those hours. In the park, walk along Pebble Beach for the classic lighthouse view, look out at Ellingsen Island or hike up Day Hill to a stone fireplace with a lake view.

Stop 4: Tettegouche State Park

Tettegouche is a favorite for big views. From the visitor center, hike along lakeside cliffs to the end of Shovel Point, where you can look out over Lake Superior and often spot rock climbers. A few blocks away, a gravel beach marks where the Baptism River meets the lake. Palisade Head sits about 1.5 miles southwest of the visitor center on Highway 61. In summer you can drive to the top, but the DNR says it becomes a short hike in winter. In winter, the Tettegouche visitor center keeps weekday hours, so plan ahead if you need the restrooms or a permit. Explore Minnesota notes that the state's biggest waterfalls are at Tettegouche and Grand Portage state parks. Our Duluth and North Shore region guide has more ideas nearby.

Stop 5: Grand Marais

After a scenic hour or so north of Tettegouche, you'll reach Grand Marais, a harbor village nestled between the Sawtooth Mountains and Lake Superior. It's a natural place to slow down, eat and wander. Walk out to Artist's Point by the harbor, where painters often set up to capture sailboats and the lighthouse. Browse local shops, or look into a class at the North House Folk School, which teaches traditional northern crafts. Grand Marais is also the start of the Gunflint Trail, a road into the woods and lakes beyond. Check today in Grand Marais for events, and our restaurant guide for food ideas.

Heading home

The drive back to Duluth takes about two and a half hours without stops. If you started early, you might catch the lake glowing at sunset on the way south. Too tired to drive back? Spend the night and save the return trip for morning. Duluth is full of cozy places to stay, and a sauna is the perfect end to a long day of exploring. Our North Shore sauna guide is a good place to start.