Cook County · Minnesota

Area Guide

The North Shore has more going on than most people expect. Here is what to do, what is worth the drive, and what is happening throughout the year.

Official Tourism Resource

Visit Cook County

The full visitor guide for the Grand Marais and North Shore area. Trip planning tools, a complete events calendar, dining, lodging, and activity listings all in one place.

visitcookcounty.com

Throughout the Year

Events Worth Planning Around

These are the anchors of the North Shore calendar. Several of them fill nearby accommodation weeks in advance.

Jan – Feb · Tofte

Norpine Fat Bike Classic

Singletrack fat bike race on the Norpine trail system, right out the back door of the North Shore. One of the premier winter cycling events in the Midwest.

Jan – Mar · Lutsen, 7 mi

Lutsen Mountains Ski Season

Minnesota's largest ski and snowboard mountain. 95 runs across 4 peaks, a gondola, and a vertical drop of 1,000 feet. Night skiing on select runs.

June · Lutsen, 7 mi

Lutsen 99er

Epic mountain bike race covering 99 kilometers of North Shore singletrack. Draws riders from across the country. One of the signature events of the North Shore summer.

July · Carlton Peak to Grand Marais

Voyageur 50 Trail Ultramarathon

50-mile ultramarathon through the Superior Hiking Trail. Runners pass directly through the landscape around Overlook Trail on their way northeast.

Late July · Grand Marais, 25 mi

Fisherman's Picnic

Grand Marais's biggest annual event. A long weekend of food, music, a carnival, a parade, and fishing contests on the harbor. Book early — this weekend fills fast.

September · Two Harbors to Duluth

North Shore Inline Marathon

One of the world's largest inline skating marathons. 26.2 miles along Highway 61 with Lake Superior the entire way. A bucket-list event for skaters.

October · Cook County

Moose Madness

A multi-week celebration of fall color, wildlife, and the outdoors across Cook County. Guided tours, events, and the best foliage on the North Shore.

October · Lutsen / Grand Marais

Superior Fall Trail Race

Trail running races of 26 and 50 miles through the Superior Hiking Trail during peak fall color. A beautiful and brutal way to see the North Shore in autumn.

Full events calendar at Visit Cook County

Get Outside

Trails, Parks & Adventure

Superior Hiking Trail

310 miles of ridgeline trail. Oberg Mountain and LeVeaux trailhead is 4.8 mi from the house.

Lutsen Mountains

Ski, snowboard, mountain bike, and gondola rides. 7 miles northeast.

Temperance River State Park

Waterfall gorge and Lake Superior beach access. 6 miles southwest.

Gitchi-Gami State Trail

Paved lakeside trail. Trailhead directly across the road from Overlook Trail.

Cascade River State Park

Multi-tiered waterfalls and cliffside trails. 16 miles northeast.

Tettegouche State Park

High Falls and Shovel Point cliff trail. ~30 miles southwest.

Where to Eat

From Tofte to Grand Marais

The North Shore is not a restaurant destination — but it has more good food than most people expect. Bluefin Grille is four minutes from the house. Grand Marais, 25 minutes northeast, has Voyageur Brewing, Angry Trout, Crosby's Bakery, and Dockside Fish Market.

Read the full restaurant guide

Closest to the House

Bluefin Grille3.4 mi

Coho Cafe & Bakery3.4 mi

Papa Charlie's7 mi

Voyageur Brewing25 mi

Angry Trout Cafe25 mi

Plan Your Trip

Useful Resources

Visit Cook County

Full events calendar, trip planning, and visitor guides for the Grand Marais area.

Visit Cook County Events Calendar

Every event happening in Cook County — updated year-round.

Lutsen Mountains

Snow reports, lift tickets, lodging, and trail conditions.

Minnesota DNR State Parks

Trail maps, camping permits, and park updates for all state parks on the North Shore.

Superior Hiking Trail Association

Trail maps, conditions, and guided hike information.

North House Folk School

Traditional craft and wilderness skills courses in Grand Marais, year-round.

Ready to make it a trip?

Lagom Escapes puts you in the center of all of it — trails, mountains, waterfalls, and the lake — with a sauna waiting when you get back.

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