Fall on the North Shore - Agenda post

It's almost the most magical time of the year in Minnesota! I am so in love with fall, as it brings cooler temperatures, light breezes, and, best of all, vibrant colors.

After falling in love with the North Shore of Lake Superior, I knew I HAD to get there during peak fall colors. However, fall is also peak work season for my husband, so I knew it was going to be difficult. Last fall, we were lucky enough to have a rare free weekend at the end of September to make it happen.

I am very intentional about planning itineraries and hikes around time of year, weather, crowds, and specific colors. My goal for this weekend was to find trails less traveled (the North Shore is crazy busy this time of year!) and specifically seek out orange and red. While vibrant yellow provides a beautiful contrast to the greenery around, I prefer the fiery hues. Plus, the green and yellow combo reminds me too much of a neighboring professional sports team of which we will not speak. šŸ˜‰

The Minnesota DNR provides a Fall Color Finder, an excellent resource in learning about and seeking out fall colors. The Minnesota map is updated weekly to show the progress of colors throughout the state, and the site also gives progress for individual state parks. You can look back on peak colors from previous years and learn the coloring of specific types of trees.

In addition to this resource, I used hikers' photos and review from AllTrails maps and searched posts by date on the Hiking Minnesota Facebook group. My research proved to be fruitful, the timing was perfect, and the colors were magnificent!

Without further ado, here is our weekend agenda. Be sure to subscribe to the blog or follow me on Facebook and Instagram as I add details about each stop.

Friday 9/30/22

  • Depart Minneapolis around 9:00 a.m.
4 hours
20 min
28 min
18 min
Saturday 10/1/22
  • Watch the sunrise over Lake Superior from hotel balcony
7 min
  • Oberg Mountain/Leveaux Mountain
    • Oberg Mountain Loop (AllTrails map)
      • Navigate to Oberg Mountain Trail Center
      • 2.3 mi, 1 hr 11 min
      • Note: Oberg is VERY popular in the fall. Plan to arrive EARLY or you will not get a parking spot and will have to fight crowds.
    • Leveaux Mountain (AllTrails map)
      • Same trailhead, opposite side of the parking lot
      • 3.2 mi, 1 hr 26 min
16 min [stop at Fika Coffee in Lutsen on the way]
28 min
32 min
  • Eat at Fisherman's Daughter in Grand Marais
  • Walk around the town of Grand Marais
27 min back to hotel

Sunday 10/2/22
  • Watch the sunrise over Lake Superior from hotel balcony before checking out
31 min [stop at Schroeder Baking Company for coffee]
  • Fantasia Overlook via Superior Hiking Trail (AllTrails Map)
    • Navigate to 51 State Hwy 1, Silver Bay, MN
    • 5.2 mi, 2 hr 40 min
    • Note: Go 0.3 miles past the northeast branch of the AllTrails map for a spectacular view of Lake Superior
  • Tettegouche State Park
    • High Falls and Two Step Falls via Superior Hiking Trail (AllTrails Map)
      • Same trailhead parking lot as Fantasia Overlook
      • 2.8 mi, 1 hr 23 min
2 min
5 min
    • Tettegouche State Park Visitor Center
      • Check out the visitor center
      • Walk down to the mouth of the Baptism River and enjoy the views
3 hr 30 min to home


    Location: Tofte, MN 55615, USA

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