11 Best Places to See Fall Colors on the North Shore, MN For Beautiful Foliage
One of the best things to do during the fall months in Minnesota is go fall color hunting, and the North Shore is the ultimate place to do this.
I always make sure to set aside at least one full weekend every year, just to go fall color peeping around Lutsen, Grand Marais, and the rest of Lake Superior’s shoreline.
I’ve been to many beautiful places during fall, and the North Shore fall colors still rank at the top of my list for most gorgeous spots to visit in October.
Let’s dive into some of the best places to see those colors for yourself this September and October.
Best Places to See Fall Colors on the North Shore, MN
1. Moose Mountain
If you’ve ever planned a fall trip the North Shore, it’s likely that you’ve either stopped at or have at least heard of Moose Mountain.
You can reach this gorgeous viewpoint by taking the Lutsen Gondola to the top of the hill, where you’ll be met with the most beautiful views of a red forest.
I personally love this spot because you’re able to enjoy the views on the gondola ride and at the top of the mountain.
When we last visited, there were hundreds of people at the top, so Tyler and I actually took a short trail away from the main viewpoint and had the views all to ourselves.
We really recommend this because it gets you away from some of the crowds. There are a few trails leading from the top. Some are short, some are longer. Pick a short one before heading back down!
2. Oberg Mountain
My all time favorite North Shore hike is to Oberg Mountain, which becomes one of the most magical places that I’ve ever seen in September and October.
Once you’ve reached the overlook of Oberg Lake, you’ll have wide open views of reds, oranges, and yellows below you before the leaves fall for the North Shore’s winter season.
But if you keep going just a bit further, the trees will open up to the rolling hills of the Sawtooth Mountains, where you can really take in all of the colors.
This is where I recommend getting to, because the Oberg Lake overlook can become pretty crowded. But at this spot (near the fence), you’ll have more space to enjoy the views.
3. Shovel Point
A classic spot in Tettegouche State Park, Shovel Point is a stunning spot that you can reach with a pretty short, easy hike.
The viewpoint leads you right to a cliff overlooking the shoreline of Lake Superior, and dotted in with the green pines are yellow and orange foliage. You can even spot Palisade Head and Black Beach if you look closely.
Even after you’ve made it to Shovel Point, continue down the trail to get away from the crowds. There are a few more viewpoints, and you’ll find one viewpoint that allows you to coninue looking north up the shore, that’s my favorite spot along this trail!
You’ll know you’ve made it when you look down and see the turquoise blue waters of Lake Superior below you.
4. White Sky Rock
I honestly can’t believe that I hadn’t heard of White Sky Rock sooner, but this is a super underrated hike just outside of Grand Marais for fall colors.
It’s a very short, but very steep trail that leads you to a viewpoint over Caribou Lake.
When the colors turn, the entire lake is surrounded by shades of orange and yellow, which makes for a stunning contrast with the blue water.
I really didn’t know that this existed until about 2 years ago, and now we hike it everytime we visit. It can get busy here, but it’s nowhere near as busy as some of the hikes in the state parks.
5. Superior Hiking Trail
If you’re up for a bit more hiking, there are hundreds of viewpoints along the Superior Hiking Trail that have phenomenal views.
Some of the spots on this list (like Bean and Bear Lakes) connect to the SHT, and you can hop on and off in quite a few spots. So even if you don’t want to thru-hike it, you can still enjoy it.
But if you’re looking for places to see the North Shore’s fall colors without the crowds, I’d say that the SHT is one of the best places for it.
There are tons of stunning waterfalls to check out, as well as other beautiful views on the trail.
When you jump on a section of the 300+ mile trail, that isn’t specifically known for fall colors, you’ll come across some pretty amazing hidden gems without the crowds.
6. Bean and Bear Lake Loop
When I first started hiking, the Bean and Bear Lake Loop was one of the first trails that I did in Minnesota, and honestly was obsessed with hiking immedietley after.
And taking the 6+ mile roundtrip hike to the viewpoint over these two lakes will tell you exactly why I love to hike so much.
Bean and Bear Lakes come together in an hourglass like shape, right underneath the viewpoint, and in the fall, they’re surrounded by stunning shades of every color.
I recommend going clockwise on this hike, wearing sturdy boots, and starting early in the morning. During my first visit, we got there around 10 am and the lot was almost full!
After the hike, head to one of the best restaurants on the shore, Rustic Inn (or Betty’s Pies!) for a slice of homemade pie. I recommend the raspberry cream!
Note: This trail is closed for the 2024 hiking season, due to trail maintenence.
7. Split Rock Lighthouse State Park
Want a way to view the colors without hiking? Split Rock Lighthouse State Park is one of the best places for it.
This park has tons of short walkways and paths that lead down to the lake, where you can see colorful trees dotted along the shoreline.
It’s probably the most family friendly spot for fall color peeping, and you can see Split Rock Lighthouse perched on top of the cliff, which is always a treat.
One of my favorite spots to see the foliage here is Day Hill, if you are up for some hiking. It’s a short trail that leads to a viewpoint looking out over the lake and a beach. During fall, the colors here are amazing.
8. Ely’s Peak
Before even leaving Duluth, there’s a stunning hike that overlooks the mountains as they wind into the North Shore. It’s probably one of the best spots for fall colors in Duluth.
Ely’s Peak is a fairly short but pretty steep trail that leads to a viewpoint over the lake and the forests surround Duluth.
I took my dog, Bella, up there two summers ago, and we were the only ones at the top! It was really nice to relax and not worry about other crowds surrounding us.
So if you want a spot to visit with few to no crowds, Ely’s Peak is a really good option!
9. Gunflint Trail
Not many people opt for driving the Gunflint Trail during their North Shore visit, but when I tell you that it’s worth it, I wholeheartedly mean that.
This road leads from Grand Marais all the way up to the land of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
And along the entire road, you’ll be treated with incredible views of reds, oranges, and yellows. Plus, your chances of spotting a moose or other wildlife are pretty high.
I love going on the Gunflint Trail to get off the beaten path and for avoiding crowds, especially during the busiest time of day.
Plus there are quite a few hikes as well as different campgrounds to check out, if you’d rather stay on the trail.
10. Highway 61
Now if you’re wanting a super easy way to see the fall colors, this is it! Just hop on and drive Highway 61 as you watch the fall colors fly by.
Highway 61 runs all the way from Duluth to Grand Portage, and basically the entire road is surrounded by fall colors, especially between Lutsen and Grand Marais.
And while you’re driving, you’ll come across small stopping points where you can pull off and check out the views. Booking a cabin along the way makes it easy to see tons of places!
I love Palisade Head, Black Beach, North Shore Viewpoint in Two Harbors, and even just driving to the base of Lutsen Mountains!
11. Palisade Head
Last but definitely not least, Palisade Head is an exceptional spot to see the fall colors on the North Shore.
You’ll just drive to the Palisade Head viewpoint and then walk along the cliff to see the fall colors. You can see Shovel Point from up here!
I really love Palisade Head because it’s a very unique spot, a giant cliff hanging over Lake Superior.
Note that there are usually a lot of people here and sometimes you’ll have to wait your turn to find a parking spot. We usually try to arrive by 8 or 9 am, since there are fewer crowds!
When Are Fall Colors at Peak on the North Shore?
When the fall colors peak on the North Shore really depends on the year, but typically they’re at their peak during the first last week of September and first 2 weeks of October.
The closer you are to Duluth, the later the leaves turn color. The further north you are, the sooner they turn.
So if you’re between Duluth and Lutsen, plan for early to mid October. But for Lutsen to Grand Marais, plan for a week or so earlier.
I would recommend checking out and following the fall color finder, which will help you figure out when to plan your trip. It’s honestly best to play it by ear!
Conclusion: North Shore Fall Colors
There’s a reason why thousands of people plan trips to the North Shore during the fall season. The fall foliage is incredible!
I’ve been to the North Shore dozens of times in September and October, and honestly, I never get sick of it.
So if you’re planning to get up there, keep an eye on those colors, and enjoy!
