north shore mn fall colors

Autumn on the North Shore is glorious. Nights cool down making for crisp mornings and warm days. As days shorten, leaves quit producing chlorophyll and the latent colors – red, orange, burgundy, yellow, gold – emerge. Fall colors in Minnesota are finest along Lake Superior’s North Shore. The dense forests blanketing the hillsides are covered with both hardwoods – maples – and softwoods – birch, aspen, poplar. This makes for two fall color seasons.

cocoa and stockinged feet in front of fire at superior shores on lake superior with 4th night free offer

the best time to see fall colors

Typically maples begin to turn along the ridge lines a few miles inland after Labor Day. By the third week/end of September maple colors are at their peak. About this time the birch and poplar closer to Lake Superior start to run yellow and the second season starts.

Any weather works for viewing fall colors. On grey, misty days, the colors vibrate while the contrast of bright blue on a sunny day can be glorious. Plan on layering clothes to offset cool morning [in the 40s].

Weather has a major impact on the colors of the season – if the trees have been stressed due to lack of rain or a cold summer, colors can be subdued and the season short.

north shore mn fall color map

Venture out by foot, by car, by bike, or by boat. The choice is yours and the rewards are spectacular. Maple fall colors cannot typically be seen from the lakeshore; they require the warmer inland temperatures of the valleys and south-facing secondary hillsides.

Fore better viewing, travel with the sun at your back – to the west in the morning and to the east in the afternoon.

Get a North Shore MN map for fall color tours

Our recommendations for the best fall color routes on Minnesota’s North Shore of Lake Superior.

Attractions & Tours

mile 26.0

Two Harbors to Beaver Bay Fall Color Drive

This route explores the backcountry including northern hardwood forests of oak, maple and basswood and boreal forests of pine, spruce, cedar, aspen and birch.

mile 36.8

Wolf Rock

Short, steep and so worth it, this trail ascends out of the parking lot. After a series of switchbacks, the trail parallels the ridge and rewards you with a Lake Superior view.

mile 39.0

Fifth Falls of Gooseberry River

While the fifth falls is the smallest waterfall at Gooseberry Falls State Park, it is a nice walk through the woods through the woods.

mile 46.0

Split Rock Lighthouse & State Park Trails

Take the easy accessible trail to the Visitor Center stairs to the Lighthouse. Then descend cliffside steps to Lake Superior and the Pump House.

mile 51.0

Beaver Bay to Illgen City

This route explores the backcountry including northern hardwood forests of oak, maple, and basswood, and boreal forests of pine, spruce, cedar, aspen and birch.

wintry waves rolling in at bluefun bay on lake superior

mile 58.5

Tettegouche State Park Trails

Great variety of trails! Meander easier trails near the visitor center, or drive in to the park and spend a day [or more] exploring.

mile 58.9

Tettegouche Lake Loop

One of my favorite medium hikes! The Tettegouche Lake loop is part of a trail system accessed on the back side of Tettegouche State Park.

mile 58.9

Fantasia Overlook Hiking Trail

This hike is fantastic during fall colors, and great in the spring before the leaves pop. You will hike inland a mile, climbing in elevation.

mile 66.0

Section 13

Hike through boreal forests before climbing maple ridges that showcase magnificent fall colors and impressive rock cliffs with view to the Baptism River valley.

mile 80.4

Heartbreak Ridge

Make this fall color tour drive number one your list. It is breathtaking. The short drive leads you down one of the prettiest maple canopied drives along Minnesota’s North Shore.

hotel room with fireplace in Grand Marais on Lake Superior

mile 83.4

Britton Peak

Britton Peak is the trailhead for cross-country ski and fat bike trails and you can snowshoe anywhere except on those groomed trails.

mile 83.4

Carlton Peak

The views from the top make this ideal for a crisp blue sky day.

mile 86.1

Oberg Mountain Trail

While this is the trail to hike during autumn’s early season of maple colors, it is fantastic spring, summer, and winter, too.

mile 90.5

Moose Mountain

Waterfalls, woods, wide-open vistas and an optional tram ride make this hike rather spectacular.

mile 92.8

White Sky Rock

A 230-foot climb in under a quarter mile brings views of Caribou Lake, and the thick maple forests surrounding it.

mile 101.3

Upper Cascade River

Choose your own hike length. For a shorter jaunt with river views from above, head north 1 mile to the North Cascade River Camp.

gunflint mile 4.5

Maple Hill Church

Historical, picturesque church and cemetery that is especially pretty during fall colors.

gunflint mile 2.5

Pincushion Mountain Trails

Hiking, biking, skiing and snowshoeing making Pincushion Mountain trails the Grand Marais trail system. Close to town, lots of spur options and expansive views make this an ideal hiking location.

gunflint mile 11.0

Trout Lake Rd/County Road 60

The Trout Lake Road / County Rd 60 loop is a lovely drive, with beautiful sugar maple-lined sections of the road, often with their canopies meeting overhead.

gunflint mile 24.0

Lima Mountain

Take a late season fall color drive in the back country.

sun over gunflint trail lake at golden eagle cabins

gunflint mile 29.5

Honeymoon Bluff

Beautiful sunsets, big views, wooden stairs and a rocky overlook make this a great hike. At 1.5 miles round-trip, it is the longest of the short hikes and very worth it.

mile 128.7

Site of the Hovland Lookout Tower

The site overlooks sugar maples, quaking aspens and conifers, making it a good drive and hike all fall color season long. This is a good wildlife viewing spot.