Peak Maple Fall Colors drives
North Shore Fall Color Itinerary
The best time to see peak maple fall colors on the North Shore is generally between September 21 and October 15. So now that you know when, where are the best peak maple fall color drives? We give you all of our choices for an ideal North Shore Fall Color Day below, so you can make your perfect fall color itinerary.
Peak Fall Color Itinerary Tips
Start with this year’s fall color information: see the current fall color report.
You will find maple forests from Beaver Bay to northeast of Grand Marais on the hillsides facing Lake Superior and the next set of inland ridges.
For the best viewing, drive west [towards Duluth] in the morning and east [towards Grand Marais] in the afternoon. This keeps the sun at your back.
Don’t let a light rain, mist or fog deter you. While the panoramic vistas won’t happen, nature takes on a soft watercolor aspect that is quite stunning.
Pick an area and go for a drive. Leave time to pull over, admire the scenery and take photos.
Take a break in the nearby towns for lunch and shopping.
Get a general North Shore map to orient yourself. Trail maps are included in each description below.
No go make some colorful memories!
The Best Three Peak Fall Color Drive Itineraries
Recommended Restaurants
mile 26.0 + 0.3 miles
Beer & Wine
Casual
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623 First Avenue | Two Harbors
mile 37.0
Brewery/Bar/Winery
Family-friendly
Casual
Fine Dining
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Grand Superior Lodge, 2826 Minnesota 61 | Two Harbors
218-834-3796
mile 50.2
Beer & Wine
Family-friendly
Casual
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4614 Minnesota 61 | Beaver Bay
218-226-4036
mile 82.6
Brewery/Bar/Winery
Family-friendly
Casual
Fine Dining
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7192 Minnesota 61 | Tofte
218-663-6200
mile 90.2 + 1.4 miles
Brewery/Bar/Winery
Family-friendly
Casual
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Caribou Highlands Lodge, 371 Ski Hill Road | Lutsen
218-663-3020
mile 109.5
Brewery/Bar/Winery
Casual
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233 West Highway 61 | Grand Marais
218-387-3163
Two Harbors to Tettegouche Backroads
If you are on the southwest part of the shore, combine these paved backroads drives into a fall color bonanza. Depart from Two Harbors, and lollygag up to Illgen City with time to drive into Tettegouche for Lake Superior views, bathroom and gift shop stop. This route is easily reversible. Either way return via Highway 61.
mile 26.0
31.9 miles to Beaver Bay and 25 miles return on Highway 61 to Two Harbors
mile 58.5
Lutsen Backroads
Heartbreak Ridge is a picturesque dirt road drive under canopies of maple trees – lovely! The return is down the paved Sawbill Trail to Highway 61 for a quick drive to Moose Mountain for a gondola ride – stunning! Cap off the afternoon with a longer drive on dirt roads behind Lutsen.
mile 80.4
mile 90.5
Length: 1.0+ if you take the gondola over; up to 12.2 mile to hike the entire loop
Difficulty: easy to difficult
Grand Marais Backroads
These routes combine to give you the best of peak fall colors in Grand Marais. Start with the Upper Cascade there-and-back route, then head to Pincushion for the overlooks, Maple Hill for charm and County Road 60 and/or Trout Lake Road [both dirt roads] for some maple backwoods beauty.Â
mile 101.3
Length: 1-8.8 miles
Difficulty: moderate to difficult for length
gunflint mile 4.5
gunflint mile 2.5
Length: varies, 4.75 miles for Pincushion Mtn loop and spur to summit; 20 miles of bike trails
Difficulty: easy to more difficult due to length
Surface: hard pack and rock
gunflint mile 11.0
Itineraries
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