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Minnesota North Shore: Duluth to Grand Portage – Route Guide

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Split Rock lighthouse — Minnesota's North Shore
Photo: Myotus · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Follow Lake Superior from Duluth's waterfront to the art and outdoor life of Grand Marais, then finish among Grand Portage's voyageur heritage. Shore walks and historic sites give this road journey its rhythm; check seasonal opening at Grand Portage before you go. Cruises and scenic trains are separate choices.

Minnesota North Shore: Duluth to Grand Portage is a 230 km one-way journey (self-drive). It works best as 3–5 days; the plan below is the 4-day version for September, built from 89 verified places, with planned transit times, opening hours and daylight checked.

3–5
days
230km
distance
3
Stops
89
curated stops

View ready-made plans 3-day plan · 4-day plan · 5-day plan · best time to go

The route

Duluth→ 175 kmGrand Marais→ 55 kmGrand Portage

What you'll see

Lake Superior Railroad Museum
Explore one of the Midwest's largest collections of railroad treasures.
Duluth
Superior Hiking Trail
Hike scenic trails along the beauty of Lake Superior.
Grand Marais
Grand Portage National Monument
Walk the historic fur trader trail by Lake Superior.
Grand Portage
Great Lakes Aquarium
Get up close to aquatic life in a massive two-story tank.
Duluth
Artists’ Point shore walk
Explore the rocky shore at Artists’ Point beside Grand Marais harbor. Keep back from waves and icy edges.
Grand Marais
Grand Portage public monument-and-voyageur-heritage circuit
Use public monument and voyageur heritage subject to seasonal Heritage Center and historic-site opening.
Grand Portage
S.S. William A. Irvin Boat Museum
Step aboard this historic ship and learn about its maritime legacy.
Duluth
Grand Marais public shore-and-trail circuit
Use public shore and suitable trail access subject to current weather and conditions.
Grand Marais

Choose your length

3-day plan13 stops · 6.9 h transit4.3 stops/day · 2.3 h transit/daySee the full plan →4-day plan19 stops · 8.3 h transit4.8 stops/day · 2.1 h transit/daySee the full plan →5-day plan20 stops · 8.3 h transit4 stops/day · 1.7 h transit/daySee the full plan →

When to go

Best months: June, July, August, September

Superior warms just enough for the brave, waterfall state parks line the shore road, and the Gunflint Trail leads into moose-and-loon canoe country.

See the month-by-month breakdown →

Similar journeys

View ready-made plans