Your Guide to Tofte & The North Shore
The Great Outdoors: Hiking, Biking & Skiing
We recommend visiting "visitcookcounty dot com" to find detailed information on hiking, mountain biking and xc ski trail options and conditions.
If you like to downhill ski, Lutsen Mountain is right up the road (less than a 10-minute drive) and a fantastic skiing spot with gondolas. Outside of skiing season, you can take the gondola up for fantastic foliage views!
38 locals recommend
Lutsen Mountains
467 Ski Hill RdIf you like to downhill ski, Lutsen Mountain is right up the road (less than a 10-minute drive) and a fantastic skiing spot with gondolas. Outside of skiing season, you can take the gondola up for fantastic foliage views!
If you like to hike, head up to the Superior Hiking trail. There’s over 300 miles of trail right up the road! The Oberg Mountain Loop in particular is a great, easy to moderate 2.3-mile loop with fantastic views, especially during fall foliage.
Superior Hiking Trail Oberg Mountain Loop
Superior Hiking Trail Oberg Mountain LoopIf you like to hike, head up to the Superior Hiking trail. There’s over 300 miles of trail right up the road! The Oberg Mountain Loop in particular is a great, easy to moderate 2.3-mile loop with fantastic views, especially during fall foliage.
If you like to bike, the Gitchi Gami State Trail runs along highway 61 and is accessible right from Chateau Leveaux!
Gitchi Gami State Trail
Gitchi Gami State TrailIf you like to bike, the Gitchi Gami State Trail runs along highway 61 and is accessible right from Chateau Leveaux!
Very close to Chateau Leveaux, easy to access right off the road, impressive water movement and trails from here. This is a great lakeside area to agate hunt as well.
21 locals recommend
Temperance River State Park
Temperance River State ParkVery close to Chateau Leveaux, easy to access right off the road, impressive water movement and trails from here. This is a great lakeside area to agate hunt as well.
Onion River
Another waterfall worth seeing near our place.
Check out the great waterfall on the Canadian Border if you are going up to Grand Portage. Its massive!
8 locals recommend
Grand Portage State Park
9393 E MN-61Check out the great waterfall on the Canadian Border if you are going up to Grand Portage. Its massive!
Explore 1.1 billion year old lava flows and a beautiful cobblestone beach along the Lake Superior shoreline. The nature center is open seasonally to learn more about the area.
Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center
Minnesota 61Explore 1.1 billion year old lava flows and a beautiful cobblestone beach along the Lake Superior shoreline. The nature center is open seasonally to learn more about the area.
Check out the Bean & Bear Lakes portion of the Superior Hiking Trail - a 6.3-mile out-and-back trail near Silver Bay, Minnesota. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 51 min to complete.
Bear Lake
Check out the Bean & Bear Lakes portion of the Superior Hiking Trail - a 6.3-mile out-and-back trail near Silver Bay, Minnesota. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 51 min to complete.
This is the highest point in Minnesota and just a short drive away.
The view is worth the hike!
Eagle Mountain Trail
This is the highest point in Minnesota and just a short drive away.
The view is worth the hike!
Carlton Peak Trail is a 3-mile hike from the Britton Peak trailhead.
Carlton Peak, Tofte Township, MN 55615, USA
Carlton Peak Trail is a 3-mile hike from the Britton Peak trailhead.
For cross-country skiing, the Sugarbush Trail Association maintains an extensive network of both classic and skate trails in Tofte and Lutsen. Find maps and grooming updates at "sugarbushtrail dot org".
Sugarbush Trail Association (Moose Fence Trailhead)
For cross-country skiing, the Sugarbush Trail Association maintains an extensive network of both classic and skate trails in Tofte and Lutsen. Find maps and grooming updates at "sugarbushtrail dot org".
On Your Way Up & Back
Great things to visit as you make your way up the North Shore!
Visit on your drive to Tofte! Awesome photo op and views of waterfalls.
82 locals recommend
Gooseberry Falls State Park
3206 MN-61Visit on your drive to Tofte! Awesome photo op and views of waterfalls.
Tettegouche State Park
5702 MN-61Stunning park - stop and explore on your way to Tofte.
An iconic spot on the way to Tofte. This is a must-see! Do a tour of the lighthouse, or visit the state park for these iconic views of the lighthouse from the water.
43 locals recommend
Split Rock Lighthouse
3713 Split Rock Lighthouse RdAn iconic spot on the way to Tofte. This is a must-see! Do a tour of the lighthouse, or visit the state park for these iconic views of the lighthouse from the water.
An iconic spot - truly breathtaking! A must-see while heading north.
22 locals recommend
Palisade Head
An iconic spot - truly breathtaking! A must-see while heading north.
Black Beach
A beautiful black sand beach with pristine views.
Beaver Bay Agate Shop
1003 Main StAgate lovers, this is worth a stop!
Quaint little lighthouse museum for an educational look at the lake.
12 locals recommend
Two Harbors Lighthouse Museum
Quaint little lighthouse museum for an educational look at the lake.
Castle Danger Brewery
17 7th StA local favorite - stop in and try their beers!
New Scenic Café
5461 N Shore DrAn iconic spot to dine with exceptional views!
Betty's Pies
1633 MN-61Stop by to get some of these legendary pies for your stay.
Stop for donuts and pastries of all kinds on the road - a local fav!
9 locals recommend
Tobies Restaurant & Bakery
404 Fire Monument RdStop for donuts and pastries of all kinds on the road - a local fav!
Grand Marais Favorites
If you want to see moose, go for a drive up the Gunflint Trail towards Grand Marais and the boundary waters. In the winter the moose like to lick the salt by the roadside right around dusk!
6 locals recommend
Gunflint Trail
Gunflint TrailIf you want to see moose, go for a drive up the Gunflint Trail towards Grand Marais and the boundary waters. In the winter the moose like to lick the salt by the roadside right around dusk!
A favorite! Walk the grounds and check out the awesome gift shop.
13 locals recommend
North House Folk School
500 W Hwy 61A favorite! Walk the grounds and check out the awesome gift shop.
Walk around Artist's Point, which is right in downtown Grand Marais, by the lighthouse. Spectacular during and after a storm when waves are big!
20 locals recommend
Artist Point
Walk around Artist's Point, which is right in downtown Grand Marais, by the lighthouse. Spectacular during and after a storm when waves are big!
Drury Lane Books
12 Wisconsin StThe cutest little bookshop in Grand Marais!
Unique new sauna experience in Grand Marais! If you're craving sauna beyond ours in the Chateau Leveaux, check this spot out.
Sisu and Löyly
Unique new sauna experience in Grand Marais! If you're craving sauna beyond ours in the Chateau Leveaux, check this spot out.
Food & Drink
Another great place to grab a bite. Get some local frozen custard for dessert near Artists' Point!
32 locals recommend
Angry Trout Cafe
408 W Hwy 61Another great place to grab a bite. Get some local frozen custard for dessert near Artists' Point!
In Grand Marais, the Gunflint Tavern has great local craft beer and a great rooftop patio with local musicians.
26 locals recommend
Gunflint Tavern
111 Wisconsin StIn Grand Marais, the Gunflint Tavern has great local craft beer and a great rooftop patio with local musicians.
Now known as Fisherman's Daughter, this is a must-stop if you like smoked salmon. Try their crab fries and smoked salmon chowder.
13 locals recommend
Dockside Fish Market
418 MN-61Now known as Fisherman's Daughter, this is a must-stop if you like smoked salmon. Try their crab fries and smoked salmon chowder.
Up the Gunflint Trail: Check out the Trails Center Lodge (about 30 miles up the Gunflint) and Hungry Jack Lodge for pizza and views of the lake into the Boundary Waters.
Hungry Jack Lodge & Campground
372 S Hungry Jack RdUp the Gunflint Trail: Check out the Trails Center Lodge (about 30 miles up the Gunflint) and Hungry Jack Lodge for pizza and views of the lake into the Boundary Waters.
Really fun brewery with great beer and food, plus a rooftop patio.
26 locals recommend
Voyageur Brewing Company
233 W Hwy 61Really fun brewery with great beer and food, plus a rooftop patio.
It's true! They are open seasonally with limited hours. Worth the wait!
15 locals recommend
World's Best Donuts
10 Wisconsin StIt's true! They are open seasonally with limited hours. Worth the wait!
Blue Water Cafe
20 West Wisconsin StGreat for breakfast - I love their coffee!
My Sister's Place
401 Minnesota 61Cozy spot for pizza and burgers.
Great little cafe! This spot is popular and gets busy on weekends and during busy season, but worth the wait.
17 locals recommend
Java Moose Espresso Cafe
218 MN-61Great little cafe! This spot is popular and gets busy on weekends and during busy season, but worth the wait.
Cascade Restaurant & Pub
3719 MN-61Order some local walleye here.
Coho Cafe
7192 West Highway 62Great nearby cafe with pastries and breakfast/lunch.
Bluefin Grille
7192 MN-61Nice nearby spot with stunning views. Get the walleye here!
A must-stop while here! CA-grown grapes made to wine in-house, and cider made from MN apples. Come for a tasting, live music and fun! Just a few minutes away.
16 locals recommend
North Shore Winery
202 Ski Hill RdA must-stop while here! CA-grown grapes made to wine in-house, and cider made from MN apples. Come for a tasting, live music and fun! Just a few minutes away.
Schroeder Baking Co
19 Lambs WayCute spot with pastries, coffee, meals and more. Only open seasonally.
A true Up North experience! Come for a bite to eat and a drink, and marvel at the decor.
10 locals recommend
Trestle Inn Restaurant & Saloon
9459 Co Hwy 7A true Up North experience! Come for a bite to eat and a drink, and marvel at the decor.
Nearby and great for breakfast or lunch. They have a patio space outside as well.
25 locals recommend
Coho Cafe
7192 West Highway 62Nearby and great for breakfast or lunch. They have a patio space outside as well.
Known for their massive frybread tacos - a great lunch bite in Grand Marais.
7 locals recommend
Hungry Hippie Tacos
15 W Hwy 61Known for their massive frybread tacos - a great lunch bite in Grand Marais.
Around Tofte
Waves of Lake Superior Spa
20 Surfside DriveIf you're looking for extra relaxation during your stay!
North Shore Commercial Fishing Museum
7136 Minnesota 61Fun stop for a look through!
Buy firewood and other essentials here. They have some groceries, but you'll find a wider selection in Grand Marais.
10 locals recommend
Tofte General Store
7125 MN-61Buy firewood and other essentials here. They have some groceries, but you'll find a wider selection in Grand Marais.
Outdoor gear in case you forgot anything, or want to rent snowshoes, xc skis, etc.
6 locals recommend
Sawtooth Outfitters
7213 MN-61Outdoor gear in case you forgot anything, or want to rent snowshoes, xc skis, etc.
Summit Express Gondola
445 Ski Hill RdA must to spot fall foliage in the autumn!