Minnesota’s North Shore Scenic Byway transforms into something extraordinary each autumn, when sugar maples blaze orange and the big lake reflects every shade of blue. This 150-mile stretch along Lake Superior’s western edge offers waterfalls, dramatic cliffs, and that famous lighthouse perched above the waves. Whether you’re chasing peak color or just want an unforgettable road trip, these stops deliver the very best of fall on the North Shore.
1. Gooseberry Falls State Park (mile ~39)
Waterfalls have a way of making any trip feel like an adventure, and Gooseberry delivers three stunning cascades within easy reach. Middle Falls sits just steps from the parking lot, tumbling over rust-colored rock while framed by fiery maples and birches. Paved paths make it accessible for strollers and wheelchairs, so everyone can enjoy the view.
Upper and Lower Falls require a bit more walking but reward you with quieter scenes and different angles of the Gooseberry River. Early October usually brings the most dramatic color, when the forest glows like a bonfire against the cool mist of the falls.
Pack a picnic and claim a spot near the lakeshore picnic area—Lake Superior stretches endlessly blue beyond the pebble beach. This park makes a perfect first stop to stretch your legs and set the tone for the whole drive north.
2. Split Rock Lighthouse State Park
No structure on the North Shore commands attention quite like Split Rock Lighthouse, standing tall on a sheer cliff face 130 feet above the water. Built in 1910 after a fierce November storm wrecked dozens of ships, the lighthouse guided sailors for over six decades. Today it’s a museum, and you can tour the keeper’s house and fog-signal building to learn what life was like for the families who lived here.
Beyond the lighthouse itself, trails wind along the rocky shoreline and connect to the Superior Hiking Trail. Fall transforms these paths into tunnels of gold and crimson, with sudden clearings that reveal the endless blue lake below.
Arrive in late afternoon when the sun lights up the cliffs and the lighthouse casts long shadows across the rocks. Bring your camera—this is the postcard shot everyone dreams of capturing on the North Shore.
3. Palisade Head & nearby Shovel Point (Tettegouche State Park area)
Few places on the North Shore make your stomach flip quite like Palisade Head. A short, steep drive deposits you atop ancient lava cliffs that plunge straight into Lake Superior—no guardrails, just you and a 200-foot drop. Behind you, sugar maples explode in shades of tangerine and scarlet, while ahead the water spreads out like polished steel.
Rock climbers love the challenge of these columnar basalt walls, but most visitors come simply to stand at the edge and feel very small. The wind whips hard up here, so bring a jacket even on sunny days.
Just a few miles away, Shovel Point offers a similar thrill with a bit more hiking involved. The trail out to the point weaves through birch groves before opening onto a rocky peninsula with 180-degree lake views. Both spots deliver that perfect mix of autumn fire and endless blue water.
4. Oberg Mountain Loop (Superior National Forest/Lutsen area)
If you only have time for one hike, make it Oberg Mountain. This 2.25-mile loop climbs gently through hardwood forest before popping out onto a rocky ridgeline with views that stop conversations mid-sentence. Below you, Oberg Lake mirrors the sky, while layered hills roll away in waves of gold, orange, and crimson.
Sugar maples dominate these slopes, and when conditions align in late September or early October, the color show rivals anything in New England. The trail itself is well-maintained but rocky in spots, so wear decent shoes and take your time on the descent.
Locals guard this spot like a secret, but word has spread—arrive before 9 a.m. on weekends to snag parking. Bring water and a snack to enjoy at the overlook, where you can see all the way to Lake Superior on clear days. It’s a short effort that delivers memories for years.
5. Grand Marais & Artist’s Point
Grand Marais feels like the reward at the end of a perfect journey—a working harbor town where fishing boats bob alongside sailboats and art galleries line the streets. Start at the cobblestone beach near the breakwater, where smooth stones click under your feet and the water laps cold and clear.
Follow the natural tombolo out to Artist’s Point, a rocky finger that juts into the harbor. The red lighthouse here is smaller and friendlier than Split Rock, but the views back toward town are equally photogenic, especially when fall light turns everything golden around sunset.
After exploring the point, wander downtown to browse local pottery, paintings, and handmade jewelry. Grab coffee at a lakeside cafe and watch the light change over the water. Grand Marais has that rare combination of natural beauty and small-town charm that makes you want to extend your trip by a day or three.