ELY & BWCAW CAMP FIRE UPDATE

North Shore

Attractions

sunny winter day near split rock lighthouse state park
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Points of interest to explore

While Lake County attractions mostly fall into the “outdoors” category, many other sites remain to explore. Additionally, you’ll find historical sites, quirky landmarks, and museums that tell a fascinating story about the pioneers and industries that built the North Shore. 

Here, you won’t find amusement parks, cinemas, or professional stadiums; however, you will find the greatest lakes, the best state parks, infinite recreation, historic lighthouses, and some of the most scenic and magnificent landscapes in Minnesota – and from our perspective, the entire country.

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north shore attractions

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3m museum

3M Museum

Did you know that 3M company originated in Lake County? The 3M Museum in Two Harbors resides in the original Dwan Law Office Building. The ...
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agate bay beach

Agate Bay Beach

Agate Bay is a rocky lakeside beach with a long pier leading to a lighthouse. It offers a newly renovated boat ramp with some of ...
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Agate Bay Boat Launch Harbor Cam

Agate Bay Boat Launch

Agate Bay Boat Launch in Two Harbors, MN, features public water access located within the commercial harbor and the future site of a safe harbor ...
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anchor memorial two harbors

Anchor Memorial

While taking in the variety of activities, shopping, and food Two Harbors has to offer, don’t miss out on getting a glimpse back in time ...
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baptism river beach in tettegouche state park silver bay

Baptism River Beach – Tettegouche State Park

A rare pebble beach, fully enclosed by rocky cliffs, the Baptism River Beach at Tettegouche provides visitors with a lovely area to stroll, skip rocks, ...
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bay area historical society

Bay Area Historical Society

Encompass the history of Beaver Bay, the oldest immigrant settlement on Minnesota’s north shore, and Silver Bay, built-in 1956 by Reserve Mining Company to house ...
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beaver river falls

Beaver River Falls

The Beaver River Falls, Located in Beaver Bay, flow from the Beaver River. You can view the roadside waterfall as you drive over the Beaver ...
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black beach lake superior

Black Beach

One of the most unique beaches along the North Shore, Black Beach earns its name from the fine black sand that resulted from taconite tailings ...
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Black Beach Mini Golf

Black Beach Mini Golf

If you’re looking for a way to enjoy beautiful weather with friends or family, look no further than the newly constructed Black Beach Mini Golf ...
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silver creek bridge

Bridge No. 3589, Silver Creek Township

Bridge No. 3589 (the Silver Creek Bridge), located just north of Two Harbors across Betty’s Pies, was a historically reinforced concrete arch bridge that carried ...
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burlington bay campground on lake superior north shore two harbors mn

Burlington Bay Beach

Burlington Bay is a laid-back bay North Shore beach offering rocky & sandy shorelines. In the summer, it’s a perfect spot to launch a kayak ...
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caribou falls wayside

Caribou Falls Wayside

Heading north on 61, just north of Little Marais, sits the Caribou Falls Wayside. Park at the rest area and take a half-mile hike along ...
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coca cola mural two harbors mn

Coca-Cola Mural

Folks in Two Harbors love the giant Coke Sign that’s been around for decades, maybe because it’s just cool or maybe because it makes the ...
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crystal beach sea caves

Crystal Bay Beach & Sea Cave

Just north along 61 and past the HWY 1 junction, the cobblestone Crystal Bay Beach provides a scenic view of one of Lake Superior’s largest ...
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Edna G Two Harbors

Edna G

The tugboat, Edna G, once worked the Great Lakes and is now preserved as a museum ship. Edna G was built by the Cleveland Shipbuilding ...
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The Finland Minnesota Heritage Site in Finland, Minnesota

Finland MN Historical Society Heritage Site

The Finland MN Historical Society, founded in 1986, has preserved the John Pine Homestead, creating the Finland Heritage Site. Many area locals remember stories of ...
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Flood Bay Beach Wayside

Flood Bay Beach Wayside

Flood Bay Beach Wayside makes a great place to stretch your legs and graze the sand for agates and sea glass. Flood Bay Beach is ...
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george crosby manitou state park in finland minnesota

George Crosby Manitou State Park

George Crosby Manitou State Park in Finland is a favored place by locals for its rich wilderness and serene beauty.  Hiking this rugged state park ...
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Giant Beaver Statue in Beaver Bay, MN

Giant Beaver Statue

Appropriate to represent Beaver Bay, the wood-carved Giant Beaver Statue sits along West Towne Road.
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gitchi-gami state trail

Gitchi-Gami State Trail

The Gitchi-Gami State Trail features a paved, non-motorized biking and walking trail along the North Shore of Lake Superior. Once completed, the route will stretch ...
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glen avon falls lake county mn north shore

Glen Avon Falls

Although typically unknown to the casual North Shore traveler, Glen Avon Falls, a hidden North-Shore gem, is a popular destination for anglers. Visitors can park ...
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gooseberry state park fifth falls

Gooseberry Falls State Park

Gooseberry Falls State Park earns its popularity for its spectacular waterfalls, river gorge, and Lake Superior shoreline. Additionally, it features Civilian Conservation Corps log, stone ...
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agate beach at gooseberry falls state park

Gooseberry Falls State Park – Agate Beach

Agate Beach is a rocky Lake Superior pebble beach located within Gooseberry Falls State Park. Hike along the Gooseberry River down to the mouth as ...
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Illgen Falls at Tettegouche State Park

Illgen Falls (Tettegouche)

To see Illgen Falls, designated as part of Tettegouche, you can take a short drive up HWY 1 to find the scenic falls that flow ...
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iona's beach natural and scientific area two harbors mn

Iona’s Beach Scientific & Natural Area

Iona’s Beach Scientific & Natural Area, located just north of Two Harbors, was named after Iona Lind, who owned Twin Points Resort (it formerly occupied ...
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kawishiwi falls neary ely mn

Kawishiwi Falls

The Kawishiwi Falls (pronounced Ka-WISH-i-wee) flow from the dammed Garden Lake into Fall Lake and are located in the Superior National Forest near Ely, Minnesota, ...
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Kawishiwi Lodge

Kawishiwi Lodge

The small, family-owned lake resort was established in 1924, along with 20 contributing properties. The lodge serves as a rare surviving example of a once-common ...
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kelsey beach north shore minnesota

Kelsey Beach

Kelsey Beach on Lake Superior’s North Shore is a relaxing pebble beach with lovely scenic views of the rocky coast. It sits across from the ...
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knife river depot

Knife River Depot

The Knife River Depot, built during the 19th century, offers visitors a glimpse of life along Lake Superior more than 200 years ago.
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Knife River Marina

Knife River Marina & Beach

Visit the Knife River Marina Beach to relax in the sand, picnic, or rockhound for agates. Knife River Rock Beach is also just down the ...
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Lake County Courthouse

Lake County Courthouse

The Lake County Courthouse, the first original courthouse of Lake County, originated as a wooden building built in Two Harbors in 1887. In 1904, it ...
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demonstration forest winter fat biking

Lake County Demonstration Forest

Lake County’s Donald J. Fergusen Demonstration Forest in Two Harbors aims to develop a working forest using state-of-the-art techniques to illustrate that forest management activities ...
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lake county historical society in two harbors, mn

Lake County Historical Society

Organized in 1925, the mission of the Lake County Historical Society is to preserve the history of Lake County, Minnesota through the preservation, study and ...
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big rooster two harbors

Large Rooster

The large fiberglass rooster statue was once snatched by vandals and thrown off a bridge. It now resides at Weldon’s Gifts in Two Harbors.
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little red school house larsmont

Little Red School House

The Little Red Schoolhouse of Larsmont, established by Swedish and Finnish settlers in 1914, reflects a unique piece of history on the North Shore and ...
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mattson house and old fish house

Mattson House and Fish House

See the remains of the Mattson House, built in 1902, and the old fish house built around 1930. The two of the few surviving buildings ...
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mile marker bear two harbors

Mile Marker Bear

The hand-carved Mile Marker Bear landmark located downtown Two Harbors has been giving the passerby directions for decades. It stands right next to the Dairy ...
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north shore adventure park climbing zipline

North Shore Adventure Park

Explore the unique North Shore Adventure Park for hours of family enjoyment. The forested adventure park features ten zip lines, six challenge courses, and a ...
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north shore scenic railroad

North Shore Scenic Railroad

The North Shore Scenic Railroad is a heritage railroad that operates between Duluth and Two Harbors, Minnesota, along 28 miles of the Lakefront Line, once ...
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palisade head in fall

Palisade Head

Palisade Head, an iconic rocky cliff formation, provides one of the most stunning overlooks along the North Shore. Visitors who make the short, steep drive ...
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peter toth indian head

Peter Toth Indian Head

The Peter Toth Indian Head is still in place, in relatively good shape, and is easy to spot while driving into town near the R.J. ...
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pierre the pantsless voyageur

Pierre the Pantsless Voyageur

As you drive north on HWY 61 into Two Harbors, you can’t miss Pierre the Pantsless Voyageur! The giant canoe-paddler statue reflects a time when ...
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rocky taconite statue silver bay

Rocky Taconite

Rocky Taconite, an intriguing little rock-man stature, sits on the corner of Outer Drive and Adams Blvd in Silver Bay. The taconite monument pays homage ...
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semer's beach park ely mn

Semer’s Beach Park

Semer’s Beach Park, a popular sandy swimming hole, is located in a protected bay on the south shore of Shagawa Lake (St. Louis County). It ...
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Shovel Point

Shovel Point

Shovel Point, a favorite North Shore overlook located within Tettegouche State Park, offers hikers panoramic views of rocky cliffs and rugged bluffs along the Lake ...
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Silver Bay Marina in Summer

Silver Bay Marina & Harbor

Silver Bay Marina & Harbor features a public water access and 68 slip marina facilities located within a seven-acre safe harbor basin. Protected Access:Two ramps ...
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silver bowl in silver bay mn

Silver Bowl Bowling Alley

Silver Bowl Bowling Alley offers family-friendly and league bowling. (Wednesdays and Thursdays) from mid-September through April (it is closed during summer). The Silver Bowl bowling ...
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Split Rock Lighthouse up close

Split Rock Lighthouse

Split Rock Lighthouse stands as a North Shore icon perched on the cliffs of Lake Superior. The historical lighthouse became a National Historic Landmark in ...
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aerial view of split rock lighthouse

Split Rock Lighthouse State Park

Gaze upon miles of North Shore coastline at the daring height of 130 feet off the Split Rock Lighthouse cliffside. Take in the charming architectural ...
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st urho statue finland mn

St Urho Statue

St. Urho was a Finn with a big voice who chased away the grasshoppers to save the grape crop by shouting, “Heinäsirkka, heinäsirkka, mene täältä ...
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superior hiking trail sign

Superior Hiking Trail

The Superior Hiking Trail (SHT) spans 300+ miles from Jay Cooke State Park to the Canadian border. It recently joined the North Country Trail system’s ...
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tettegouche historic camp district

Tettegouche Camp Historic District

Once a private hunting club for local businessmen, the land was purchased from the Alger Smith Logging Company in 1910, with the original camp buildings ...
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tettegouche state park high falls

Tettegouche State Park

At Tettegouche State Park, you’ll discover the spectacular overlooks at Shovel Point, featuring rocky cliffs and inland bluffs; the plunging 60-foot High Falls of the ...
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The Big Chair in Two Harbors

The Big Chair

In 2017, the North Shore’s gigantic Adirondack chair was built by Two Harbors High School shop class students and placed at the R.J. Houle Visitors ...
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the depot museum two harbors

The Duluth and Iron Range Depot Museum

The Duluth and Iron Range Railroad played a vital role in the development of northern Minnesota’s economy and its iron ore industry, serving passenger and ...
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halfway ranger station ely mn

The Halfway Ranger Station

The Halfway Ranger Station historical sight, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1934, remains a hidden gem along the North Shore. It has made ...
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LAKER SHIP ORE DOCKS TWO HARBORS MN

The Ore Docks

Made of steel, more than 1300 feet long, and seven stories tall the Two Harbors Iron Ore Docks allow ships to pull alongside some 112 ...
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two harbors band shell

The Two Harbors Band Shell

The Band Shell, located in the heart of Two Harbors, reflects the rich tradition of providing summertime music to its citizens since 1937. Check our ...
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thompson beach lake superior north shore two harbors mn

Thompson Beach

At Thompson Beach, located about 15 miles north of Two Harbors, you’ll find a pebbly, secluded Lake Superior shoreline. This beach is only accessible by ...
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toimi school house

Toimi School House

Travel back to Toimi, a beautiful, unincorporated community started by Finnish settlers in the early 1900s. Then, visit Tomi’s crown jewel: a classic one-room schoolhouse ...
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two harbors break wall

Two Harbors Breakwall

Two Harbors Breakwater Lighthouse stands at the end of the breakwater at the entrance to Lake Superior’s Agate Bay. First established in 1895, it first ...
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carnegie library two harbors

Two Harbors Carnegie Library

The Two Harbors Carnegie Library was built in 1909 with a $15,000 grant from Andrew Carnegie, along with more than 3,000 libraries in 47 states ...
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two harbors light station

Two Harbors Light Station & Museum

The Two Harbors Light Station remains the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on Minnesota’s North Shore. Overlooking Lake Superior’s Agate Bay, the Light Station is located ...
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