Uncover the Secrets of Spring in Northeast Minnesota
Uncover the Secrets of Spring in Northeast Minnesota
Por Minnesota Arrowhead Committee
The snow is melting and warmer temps are on the way, but the lazy days of summer are months away. What’s there to do? Plenty, as it turns out. Learn about the unique pleasures of this in-between season in Northeast Minnesota.
At 60 feet high, the High Falls at Tettegouche State Park is the tallest waterfall within Minnesota's state border
Seize the Season
Nothing says spring in Northeast Minnesota like the rushing waterfalls of the North Shore.
Gooseberry Falls State Park, one of the top-visited state parks in Minnesota, features a series of three vast and impressive waterfalls on the Gooseberry River, which then gushes into Lake Superior. Additionally, Tettegouche, Split Rock Lighthouse and George H. Crosby-Manitou state parks, all in Lake County, deliver rushing falls that won't disappoint.
Farther north on the Canadian border, tumbling over the Sawtooth mountains of Cook County, High Falls in Grand Portage State Park is a sight to behold. At 120 feet, it is the tallest waterfall in Minnesota.
Mountain bikers on Redhead Mountain in the Iron Range / Minnesota Discovery Center
Go Mountain Biking
Can't wait to hit the trails? Grand Rapids and the Iron Range are home to world-class mountain biking experiences for all skill levels. Tioga, Redhead and Giants Ridge are built on rocky hills and canyons, so they are likely to dry up sooner than other biking areas. As always, check trail conditions before you ride, though.
Cozy lodging and year-round camping are on-tap in these cities, along with nearby breweries, dining and attractions.
In the Superior National Forest of Cook County, explore miles of gravel roads or test out your technical skills on the singletrack Jackpot Trail in Tofte.
Hike around Loon Island and you may see Minnesota's state bird at Lake Shetek State Park. / Travis Novitsky
Track Migrating Birds
Skyline Drive in Proctor is the home of one of the premier spring bird migration sites in North America, with 25,000 raptors and thousands of other birds. The vast expanse of Lake Superior beckons to them below.
On Lake Vermilion, situated in the Superior National Forest and bordering the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, waterfowl abound. Track the return of the loons and many other species from shoreside resorts.
Birch Grove Resort guest, Gavin Forrest, catches a 24-inch walleye while fishing Lake Kabetogama / Coopers Gateway General Store
Reel in Walleye All Year Round
Northeast Minnesota is home to the state's best walleye fishing on the ice or open water. Explore Crane, Vermilion and Rainy lakes for late-season panfishing on the ice or the first catch of the season during the walleye opener in May. Full-service or rustic resorts cater to your every need, and small-town hospitality abounds in the communities of Crane Lake, Tower and International Falls.
As the last area to lose its snow cover, International Falls and Voyageurs National Park might even offer some serene spring snowmobiling for adventurous visitors.
See the Northern Lights at Voyaguers National Park in northern Minnesota / Martha Shuff
Look Up at the Northern Lights
Take an early season paddle in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness near Ely and experience not only the stunning natural beauty of the glacier-carved lakes and forests, but the stars and maybe even the northern lights in the world's largest certified Dark Sky Sanctuary.
Axl rests on a rock at the International Wolf Center / International Wolf Center
Shop, Sip and Sup
With local brews, art galleries and unexpected dining, Ely, Two Harbors and Grand Rapids offer opportunities to browse, buy, relax and repeat. For girls' getaways or after a day of hiking, these communities deliver the all the extra amenities you desire, along with attractions including the Reif Performing Arts Center in Grand Rapids, the International Wolf Center in Ely and Split Rock Lighthouse near Two Harbors.
ATV rider rock crawling at the Iron Range OHV Recreation Area in Gilbert
Make Spring Riding Your Thing
Trails for all-terrain vehicles, off-highway motorcycles and off-highway vehicles open at varying times in the north, typically April and May. But some trails are open year-round, including those in the Iron Range Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area, the Northern Traxx Trail, and the Ranger Trail, all on the Iron Range.
To the north, the trails of the Crane Lake area create a network of connections that bring you deep into the woods. Resorts, lodging and camping in both areas keep you close to the trails and area dining. Be sure to check with the Department of Natural Resources for trail closures, licensing and trail pass information before you trailer up.
Hike across the suspension bridge above the St. Louis River at Jay Cooke State Park
Take a Hike
In Proctor, find trailheads for both the spectacular Superior Hiking Trail and the beloved Willard Munger State Trail and head into the North Woods. In nearby Jay Cooke State Park, explore multiple wooded trails and experience the rushing spring rapids of the St. Louis River from the park's iconic swinging bridge.
Minnesota Arrowhead Committee is a coalition of travel/tourism and commerce organizations working together to promote the Arrowhead region of northeast Minnesota as a vacation destination.