Things to Do in the Iron Range

If you hear “shredding and sending it” and don’t think of cheddar cheese and email, then you definitely need to know about the mountain biking on the Iron Range. With 25 miles of red clay rails carved out of former mine pits, the peaks at Redhead Mountain Bike Park in Chisholm overlook striking turquoise water, giving the course an almost otherworldly feel. Redhead offers direct access to downtown Chisholm (for refueling, obviously) and the paved Mesabi Trail, which can take you south to Grand Rapids or north to Ely.

But Redhead is hardly the only place to take your mountain bike on the Range; Giant’s Ridge, Lookout Mountain, and Maple Hill all offer notable purpose-built trails for those looking to catch a bipedal thrill.

Get on two wheels in Minnesota, the best biking state in America.

Scholars debate who, exactly, the Girl From North Country is — but it was almost definitely for sure a girl from the Iron Range, where Bob (Robert Allen Zimmerman back then) spent most of his childhood.

Dylan lived in Hibbing, a small town about seven miles south of Chisholm, from the time he was 6 until his high school graduation in 1959. Specifically, his address was 2425 7th Ave. East, and the current owner of the house, Bill Pagel, gamely gives tours to fans (but only if there’s a small sign on the front lawn with his number listed — otherwise, the house is drive-by only). Dylan fans can also tour Hibbing High School, where you can see both a tribute to Dylan’s Nobel Prize and the auditorium where he once performed as a young student.

Hibbing is a must-stop for Dylan devotees — but don’t take our word for it. Just ask Timothée Chalamet, who spent time in the town while he was preparing to play Bob in "A Complete Unknown," and called Minnesotans “nice and generous of spirit.” (Stop Timmy, you’re making us blush!)

While you’re in Hibbing, make plans to stop at the Greyhound Bus Museum — yes, the iconic bus line was born in Hibbing — then grab a pizza at Sammy’s (full permission to order the family-sized garlic cheese bread).

See how to take a Bob Dylan-themed tour of Minnesota.

The Aegean-esque waters of the Iron Range’s former mine pits often come as a shock to visitors. So clear! So saturated! Take a selfie and tell your friends you’re in Greece, and they just might believe you!

Filled with glacial spring water, the former mine pits of the Iron Range are perfect for summer paddling. Canoe and kayak rentals for Redhead Mountain Recreation Area are available at the Minnesota Discovery Center (which is worth a stop itself), for those who don’t BYOB (bring your own boat).

Can we let you in on a secret? The blue water of the mine pits isn’t the only unusual aquatic experience in the Iron Range; Birch Cove Beach, in Hoyt Lakes, actually has orange water. Yes, orange — likely from iron ore deposits, though some locals believe it’s caused by tannins from pine trees. Perfectly safe to swim in, it’s a truly #OnlyinMN experience.

It’s no secret that Minnesota is the State of Hockey. After all, this is the home of Gordon Bombay and his Mighty Ducks! But it’s also home to the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame and the World’s Largest Hockey Stick.

Both are in Eveleth, a town synonymous with hockey culture. After all, Mike Karakas, the first American goalie to clinch a Stanley Cup, is from there — and so are Frank Brimsek (a legendary goalie), John Mayasich (two-time Olympic medalist), Mark Pavelich (member of the “Miracle on Ice” team), and John Mariucci, coach of the silver-medal-winning 1956 Olympic team.

Contained within the museum’s three floors are a “wall of fame,” one of the first Zambonis ever made, and a scoreboard used in the filming of “Mighty Ducks” (we can’t confirm or deny if it’s the one from when Charlie takes his climactic penalty shot, but either way, it’s worth seeing).

After your visit, grab a table at BoomTown for a wild rice burger and a pint of Hat Trick Honey Amber, and toast to the hockey legends of the Iron Range.

Read more about Minnesota's love of hockey.

The Mesabi Trail is a paved bike path that spans 165 miles of Northern Minnesota (as of 2025, 150 miles have been completed), beginning in Grand Rapids and ending just east of Ely. With stunning views of mine pits and a route that takes you through charming Iron Range towns like Chisholm and Virginia, the Mesabi Trail is more than worth a two-wheeled road trip.

Riders over the age of 18 must purchase a wheel pass online or at a vendor along the route. To make the most of your trip, be sure to read our detour-driven Mesabi Trail guide and a rundown of the state’s best paved bike trails.

Want to experience a truly “whoa” view? Head to Hibbing, where you can visit the world’s largest open-pit iron ore mine, the Hull Rust Mine, which is sometimes called the “Grand Canyon of the North.”

Then, once you’re properly curious about the history of iron ore and taconite mining in Minnesota, make the 10-minute drive up to Chisholm to visit the Museum of Mining (open seasonally) and see the Iron Man (no, not that Iron Man), an impressive 81-foot monument to the miners of the Range.

Looking for somewhere to eat after? We love Valentini’s Supper Club, where you can pair your beer-battered walleye fingers with a “mega meatball” or try porketta, the Iron Range’s signature dish. Then, drive (or walk) down Lake Street to see the Bridge of Peace, where every flag from the United States and the countries of the United Nations proudly flies along either side of Longyear Lake.

Ski! Snowboard! Golf! Bike! You can do it all at Giants Ridge in Biwabik, a recreation center and resort that stands in proud defiance of anyone who dares to call Minnesota “flat.”

For winter visitors, Giants Ridge has both a 35-run alpine ski area and a vast trail system for those who prefer the less heart-pounding cross-country, or Nordic, skiing.

Come in summer, and you’ll have the option of golfing at The Quarry, a Golf Digest “Top 100” course, shredding on a mountain bike, hiking, or traversing a climbing wall. The pool and sauna house, of course, can be enjoyed in any season.

As if that weren’t enough, Giants Ridge offers three different on-site accommodations, including the lodge, and two on-site restaurants — which means you can spend less time fighting about where to eat and more time outside.

While the word “bog” can inspire muddy, swampy visions, it’s actually an ecologically critical type of freshwater wetland characterized by a ground layer of spongy peat (feel free to send that one to the group chat accompanied by the nerd emoji). 

Minnesota contains more than 6 million acres of peatlands, the second-most in the United States after Alaska. But the Sax-Zim Bog is one of the most unique, notable for its popularity with birders (in winter, you can see the rare Great Gray owl and finches, while in summer, there are abundant warblers and boreal birds) and its diverse range of wild orchids, including the elusive, beautiful state flower of Minnesota: the lady slipper, a girl who definitely plays hard-to-get: you can catch her in late June to early July.

Read more about birding and wildflowers in Minnesota.

Ely is often considered a top entry point for the Boundary Waters, with the abundant outfitters to prove it. In fact, Ely claims the moniker “The Canoe Capital of the World.”

But it’s also an unbeatable place to catch wildlife, home to the International Wolf Center and the North American Bear Center.

The Wolf Center features an on-site “Discover Wolves” exhibit and a pack of ambassador wolves, who reside in a 1.25-acre habitat. If you need to inject your day with some fluffiness, check out their 24-hour wolf cameras. It’s not a substitute for in-person visits, but it’s close!

The Bear Center, founded by noted researcher Lynn Rogers, is open seasonally. Working closely with partners at the Wildlife Research Institute, the Bear Center has an educational Ecology Hall, an interactive “Cub Room,” where kids can explore the world of bears through play and touch, and a team of ambassador bears, who can be seen through indoor viewing windows or from an outdoor viewing balcony (and, yes, via live feed).

If you want to get up close, the Bear Center offers hourly behind-the-scenes tours, included with admission.

See where to encounter animals in Minnesota, and read about Ely’s other big draw: dog sledding.

Seeing a loon in the wild is a bucket-list Minnesota experience (with apologies to the fans, the laser loon is not a native species), but you have to be in the right place at the right time. Not so with Virginia’s giant floating loon, a year-round monument celebrating our speckled avian avatar.

Proudly floating on Silver Lake, the world’s largest floating loon stands 9 feet tall and 21 feet long (not including wingspan). Just don’t ask its name; the loon doesn’t have one. We like to call it “Big Loon,” but you can come up with your own special name, like Harold or Marge or Mr. Darcy.

While you’re in Virginia, you can visit Minnesota’s tallest bridge (the views over a former iron ore mine are breathtaking), drop by Canelake’s Candies for a handmade chocolate (their signature is the crunch “hot air”), and grab a latte at Kunnari’s.

Oh, and don’t leave without getting silly on the Ice Bumper Cars at Iron Trail Motors Event Center, one of only 27 such locations in the world.

At 3 million acres, the Superior National Forest is the largest national forest east of the Mississippi River. It’s also one of the most spectacular: home to the Boundary Waters, towering pines, unrivaled fall colors and northern wildlife — from moose to wolves. But if you fear the forest is just for those who like hiking and canoeing, think again.

The Superior National Forest Scenic Byway is a 78-mile driving route through the Iron Range toward the Lake Superior North Shore. You can drive it straight through or plan stops along the way. A few of our favorites are the Skibo Vista Scenic Overlook, where, if you catch the timing right, you can witness the hawk migration over the Laurentian Divide; the Toimi House, a one-room schoolhouse built in 1913; and the White Pine Interpretive Trail — just in case you do want to do a little hiking.

See more of Minnesota’s scenic byways.

The Finns — those eternally happy people — came to Minnesota beginning in the 1800s, famously bringing their love of sauna with them. Many worked in the taconite mines along the Iron Range, which makes the area particularly rich in Finnish history.

If you'd like to get in the northern mindset, visit a Finnish-American homestead tour or the Eli Wirtanen Farm, a preserved 1904 farmstead that includes a meticulously restored savu sauna, a rare type of sauna that relies on smoke for heat.

1,200 acres. 36 miles of thrilling dirt bike and ATV trails. A 2,600-acre, brand-new expansion. The Iron Range Off-Highway Vehicle State Recreation Area in Gilbert welcomes all off-highway vehicles, including ATVs, OHMs and ORVs, to scenic trails through wetlands, dramatic rocky landscapes and even an old gravel pit.

After you’ve caught your breath (and taken a warm shower), pop down to Whistling Bird Café for Caribbean-style jerk pork tenderloin with sweet plantains and seasonal sangria.