17 Amazing Winter Activities on the North Shore, MN
Finding activities to keep you busy during our cold Minnesota winters is a must, and I’ve found that the North Shore has some of the best things to do during winter!
From skiing at the best resort in the Midwest to hiking to frozen waterfalls and taking a dogsled ride, there are tons of options out there.
I live in Minnesota and spend tons of time on the North Shore in winter. It’s my favorite place for all seasons, but in the winter it’s just something special. I try to spend at least 1 weekend a month up on the shore!
Let’s dive into some of my favorite ways to spend a day on the North Shore in winter.
Best Things to Do in Winter on the North Shore, MN
1. Go Skiing at Lutsen Mountain
If you love skiing or snowboarding, then you’re going to love Lutsen Mountain. Not only is the mountain amazing, but the views are pretty incredible too.
I’ve been skiing in Minnesota for years now, and Lutsen is the best resort that I’ve found. They have almost 100 runs, with the runs down Moose Mountain being my favorite.
It’s actually also the largest ski resort in the Midwest, so if you’re wanting to go ski out west but can’t make it out there, this is the best place to go.
You can also see Lake Superior from the top of the mountain, which is pretty incredible, and is one of the reasons that this is my favorite ski resort in the state (and I’ve been to at least 20 of them!).
2. Hike to Frozen Waterfalls
Some people think that in winter, hiking should be written off. But you can totally still hit the trails, and you SHOULD! Fewer crowds, beautiful views, and cooler weather.
High Falls in Tettegouche State Park is one of the most popular hikes, being that it leads to the tallest waterfall on the North Shore and in Minnesota.
It freezes in the winter which makes it even more unique than it already is.
Another waterfall that I love during all seasons is Caribou Falls. It’s a pretty amazing hidden gem, so it’s even less visited than High Falls, and the trail is really easy and short.
I do recommend having a pair of snowshoes or crampons/microspikes for these hikes on the shore, just to help with traction in the snow!
3. Take a Scenic Drive
Even just taking a scenic drive down Highway 61 is a perfect way to spend some time while exploring the North Shore in winter.
There are so many amazing spots to pull off and watch as the frigid waves crash into shore.
One spot that I really recommend is Palisade Head! You will have to take the short hike to the top because the road closes in winter. But the views are phenomenal and there are hardly any people!
I also recommend stopping in the small towns like Grand Marais. You’ll find a ton of great restaurants here as well as small shops to wander in.
And at any pull offs along the way! There are plenty, and be sure to snap plenty of pictures!
4. Hit the Snowmobile Trails
Tyler and I love snowmobiling, so when we found out about the abundance of trails around the North Shore, we immediately checked them out.
There are hundreds of miles of snowmobile trails that you can get out on and explore. You can reach a lot of places on a snowmobile that you might not have otherwise on foot!
A few places along the shore rent snowmobiles like Steve’s Sports in Grand Marais.
My biggest tip for getting out on the trails in winter is having a good set of gloves! The wind off of Lake Superior is really cold and can make a fun day miserable real fast when you have cold hands. I always bring a heated pair with me!
5. Go on a Dog Sled Adventure
Dog sledding is something that I always thought you had to go to Alaska for, but I learned a few years back that you can go right near Grand Marais!
Points Unknown has a pack of sled dogs and you can get out and experience exactly how these dogs work and operate.
This is a really unique experience and is something that not a lot of people get to do.
There are a few different options, but I recommend the Day in the Life Dog Sledding Experience because it’s a full day adventure and you get to not only go for a ride but also learn about how the dogs are cared for and how to work with them.
As someone who loves dogs, this is a dream come true adventure, and the perfect way to spend day in Grand Marais!
6. Try Cross Country Skiing
I’ve found a love for cross country skiing over the past few years, and the North Shore is home to hundreds of miles of trails to explore!
The reason that I love cross country skiing on the North Shore so much is because the views are so different from everywhere else.
You can see Lake Superior, you’ll have chances to ski along riverbeds, hillsides, forests that are colorful during the fall months and snow-covered during winter, it’s truly just amazing and you’ll never run out of trail.
Plus there are options for easy, intermediate, and advanced skiiers. I always take the easier routes because I like just enjoying the ride and not having to work too hard.
7. Relax in a Nordic Sauna
Although most of the winter activities on the North Shore are adventurous and require you to be outside, this one is a bit more relaxing.
The Sisu and Loyly Nordic Sauna is the perfect spot to sit back, relax, enjoy the warm temperatures, and the views of Lake Superior and Artist Point.
You can either book the private sauna or check out the community sessions where you’ll get to join in with some others as you all enjoy the sauna.
There’s also a lakeside bonfire that you can check out, which is nice to hangout by after enjoying the sauna.
8. Try Your Hand at Ice Fishing
With there being so many lakes in Minnesota, it’s easy to find somewhere to go ice fishing pretty much anywhere, including on the North Shore.
Lake Superior doesn’t always freeze, because of its size and how harsh it can be, so many people choose to fish it from the shore. You can often catch lake trout from the shoreline.
If you can’t seem to get out onto Superior, there are other great ice-fishing lakes around that are open along the Gunflint Trail.
9. Warm Up With a Cup of Coffee
One of my favorite ways to relax and enjoy a cold, snowy day on the North Shore is to bundle up in a coffee shop.
My personal favorite is Cedar Coffee Company in Two Harbors because it’s tucked back in the woods and is so cozy. I always get the Chai Latte which is seriously so good.
They also sell breakfast and lunches and I recommend the Chicken Bacon Ranch Wrap, whch I’ve gotten several times to go on my adventures.
10. Go Winter Hiking
Hiking is one of my most favorite adventures to take on along the North Shore, and even when winter comes around, I still love to get out and hit the trail.
Winter hiking is actually one of my favorite things because there are usually hardly any people around! So you can enjoy those views without the crowds.
A few of the best trails for winter hiking on the North Shore include Devil’s Kettle, High Falls, Shovel Point, and Day Hill Loop.
The state parks are open for the most part, you might just have to do a little bit of trudging through the snow to make your trail. I always bring crampons or microspikes which help with traction!
Some people even try out winter camping on the North Shore, which is brave, because I can’t imagine staying out in that cold!
11. Go Snowshoeing
Similar to winter hiking, there are a ton of really great snowshoe trails around, and you can even snowshoe around some of the same places that you would hike!
You can snowshoe anywhere in the state parks as long as you stay off of groomed trails, or you can check out some other trails like the Sugarloaf Nature Trail.
Parts of the Superior Hiking Trail are also open for snowshoers.
If you need snowshoe rentals, I would recommend checking out the state parks, since many of them rent them. Otherwise, if you’re staying at a resort, check with the front desk! So many of them offer complimentary rentals for guests.
12. Check Out Fat Tire Bike Trails
Another really unique winter adventure on the North Shore is to go fat tire biking, which has become more popular in recent years!
You can check out the trails at Spirit Mountain in Duluth, as well as in Split Rock Lighthouse State Park.
The Norpine Fat Bike Classic happens in January, which is a really unique event where you’ll get to ride the trails and race with other bikers from around the area.
13. Attend the John Beargrease Dog Sled Marathon
If you’re on the lookout for a fun event to checkout, the John Beargrease Dog Sled Marathon is definitely one for the books.
The marathon happens each winter in Duluth and is the perfect chance to see how these sled dogs work.
It’s such a unique event, and you’ll get to learn the workings of a real sled dog team and watch them do their thing as they race up to Grand Portage.
You can watch at multiple checkpoints, including in Duluth, Two Harbors, Finland, and at the finish line in Grand Portage.
14. Take a Ride on the Christmas City Express
A unique way of seeing part of the North Shore in December is by taking the Christmas City Express. My family did this when I was around 10, and I remember being so excited to ride what felt like the Polar Express.
The North Shore Scenic Railroad stretches along Lake Superior from Duluth to Two Harbors, and you can book yourself a ride on it to stay warm indoors for a bit.
In December, you can take the Christmas City Express, where you’ll listen to holiday tunes and drink hot cocoa as you ride up the shoreline.
It’s really a fun event for kids and adults and I recommend it if you’re looking for a fun activity around the holidays!
15. Watch for the Northern Lights
The Northern Lights are one of my favorite natural occurences, and luckily for you, the North Shore is one of the best places to see them in Minnesota!
Because there is so much solitude up on the North Shore, light pollution is minimal, and there are tons of places to find a clear, dark sky, you can usually see them really well!
I always use an app like My Aurora Forecast to track when the likelihood of seeing them increases and find a place like the Gunflint Trail to watch! I’ve even seen people go to seculded beaches, which can be great places to watch.
16. Relax at a Resort
If you’re just looking for a nice, relaxing way to enjoy your time on the North Shore this winter, then staying at one of the dozen resorts is a perfect choice.
I’ve stayed at quite a few of them, with Cove Point Lodge being my favorite. They have small private cabins or rooms in the main lodge.
Most of the lodges and resorts have activities like board games, lakeside bonfires, outdoor or indoor hot tubs, and most even rent snowshoes or cross country skis to guests.
They make the perfect home base for exploring, but also a great spot for a sort of “staycation” where you just enjoy each other’s company.
17. See the Ice Stacks on Lake Superior
Something that always blows me away are the ice stacks that you’ll find on Lake Superior in winter!
As the waves crash and wind blows, ice gets pushed up or stacked along the shore and makes these magical looking piles of ice.
People come from all over to photograph them, especially at sunrise of sunset. I just love listening to the crackles of the water underneath the ice!
This is the perfect way to either start or end the day, watching the sun rise or set over the Lake Superior ice stacks.
Conclusion: North Shore Winter Adventures
While some people think that winters are for doing nothing and waiting for summer, I think that there are tons of adventures to be had along the North Shore!
These are some of my favorite activities, as well as favorites of locals and other visitors! Get out and enjoy your visit, and make the most of our cold weather!
