Duluth, MN is a lovely port city on the shores of Lake Superior in eastern Minnesota. It's also the county seat of St. Louis County. The area that would become Duluth was inhabited by many fur traders in the early 19th century, and European-Americans began to settle there in larger numbers later on in the 1800s. By 1869, Duluth was becoming the fastest-growing city in the United States, going from a population of 14 families on New Year's Day to 3,500 people on the Fourth of July. In 1873, the local stock market crashed, and Duluth nearly disappeared, but within a few years, the city was flourishing again. At that time, the economy was focused on lumber, mining, and the railways.
Nowadays, Duluth is home to approximately 86,000 people as of 2022. The city is a popular destination for tourists and features quite a few unique landmarks worth visiting. There's Glensheen, The Historic Congdon Estate, a sizable mansion and museum featuring 39 rooms and spread across seven acres. While you're in town, you could also take a tour of the SS William A. Irvin, observe the stars and planets at the Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium, and catch a baseball game at Wade Stadium. If you enjoy learning new things, it's worth exploring cool museums like the Duluth Children's Museum, the Tweed Museum of Art, and the Lake Superior Railroad Museum.
When you want to do something fun with the whole family, consider checking out the awesome creatures at the Lake Superior Zoo & Zoological Society or the Great Lakes Aquarium. The Duluth area also features many beautiful parks and other outdoor destinations. If the weather is comfortable, consider hiking to one of the waterfalls in Congdon Park or riding your bike around the Hartley Nature Center. Alternatively, you could head to Spirit Mountain for an exhilarating day of skiing or snowboarding.
There are plenty of superb restaurants to sample around Duluth. For example, there's the Northern Waters Smokehaus, a gourmet deli with a menu full of mouth-watering options. You could also try the authentic Italian cuisine at Va Bene or grab a burger and a brew at Fitger's Brewhouse Brewery and Grille.
Campgrounds Near Duluth, Minnesota
There are all sorts of great campgrounds around Duluth. One excellent option is the Lakehead Boat Basin, which is located conveniently close to downtown Duluth and offers beautiful scenery and abundant amenities. You can rent a full-hookup RV campsite at the park, and you'll have nearby access to some top-notch boating opportunities.
Another quality camping destination to consider is the Indian Point Campground, which features full-hookup RV campsites. The park is located in a lovely spot along the St. Louis River, and there are bike, kayak, canoe, and pontoon rentals available for guests. Additionally, there are several shaded pavilions at the campground that are perfect for picnics and get-togethers.
You could also rent a full-hookup RV campsite at Buffalo Valley RV Camping for $50 per night. Located directly on the Munger State Trail, the tranquil campground is surrounded by miles of scenic hiking and biking routes. The amenities available include RV dump stations, horseshoe pits, volleyball courts, a pavilion, softball fields, and fire pits.
State Parks Near Duluth, Minnesota
Situated near the town of Superior, WI, Pattison State Park is mainly known as the home of one of the largest waterfalls east of the Rockies. The 165-foot Big Manitou Falls is easily the most impressive sight in the park, and getting an up-close look at the majestic waterfall is an unforgettable experience. If you're a wildlife enthusiast, you should keep your eyes open for the many local species, including over 200 types of birds and 54 species of mammals. Other features of the popular park include several miles of hiking trails and a 300-foot beach that's perfect for swimming and fishing.
Amnicon Falls State Park comprises 828 acres near South Range, WI. The park contains several picturesque waterfalls on the beautiful Amnicon River, and there are awesome swimming opportunities below a couple of them. During your visit, you could also fish in the river, enjoy a relaxing picnic, or explore the area's scenic nature trails. During the winter, the park becomes an excellent place to go snowshoeing.
Located on the northern shores of Lake Superior, Gooseberry Falls State Park surrounds the mouth of the mighty Gooseberry River. Like many other state parks in the region, the area boasts several impressive waterfalls that visitors can get great views of while hiking. During your exploration, you might also get to observe white-tailed deer, Canadian lynx, timber wolves, black bears, and marten. Additionally, the unique park is home to a visitor center, several historic structures, and a variety of great multi-use trails. If you're up for some water-based fun, you could also spend some time fishing, boating, or enjoying watersports in Lake Superior.
National Sites Near Duluth, Minnesota
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is found in northern Wisconsin and covers 12 miles of Lake Superior's coast. The lovely park is revered as an exceptional destination for kayaking and sailing, offering opportunities to pass through rock arches, land on remote beaches, and navigate into silent caves. Visitors can also go scuba diving, fish for salmon and trout, or hike the 50 miles of nature trails. One great route to navigate is the Lakeshore Trail, which stretches for six miles along the gorgeous coast. You could also embark on a motorboat or sailing trip with one of the reputable outfitters in the area.
Another beautiful site worth visiting is the Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway, which is part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The riverway is the largest scenic riverway east of the Mississippi River, protecting 52 miles of water and land. The site is mainly known for its superb recreational opportunities. During your visit, you can enjoy hiking, biking, fishing, boating, and, during the winter, cross-country skiing.
If you enjoy outdoor recreation and learning about history, the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area is a great destination to visit. Encompassing over 60 state and national facilities along the Mississippi River corridor, the park features all sorts of unique attractions and opportunities for recreation. For example, you could stop by the Minneapolis' St. Anthony Falls Visitor Center and tour the dam, explore the Mississippi River Visitor Center, and navigate quality hiking routes like the Winchell Trail and the Mississippi River Trail.
National Forests Near Duluth, Minnesota
Superior National Forest is a large natural area comprising around 3.9 million acres north of Lake Superior in Minnesota. The massive forest provides quite a few opportunities for activities like fishing, canoeing, camping, and boating. There's plenty of unique flora and fauna inhabiting the area, and wildlife enthusiasts will want to watch for western moose, white-tailed deer, Canadian lynx, black bears, and gray wolves. Additionally, the lush area contains many top-tier hiking trails, including the Eagle Mountain Trail and the Kadunce River Wayside Trail.
Located in the northern part of Wisconsin, Chequamegon–Nicolet National Forest covers just over 1.5 million acres and features bogs, wetlands, uplands, meadows, pine savannas, glacial lakes, and rivers. The forest's rivers and streams are great angling destinations, and the area is also inhabited by wildlife species such as foxes, raccoons, black bears, beavers, river otters, bald eagles, and owls. During the spring and summer, visitors can hike beautiful routes like Morgan Falls and the Black Lake Trail. During the winter, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling are a couple of the most popular activities.
Originally established as the Minnesota Forest Reserve back in 1902, Chippewa National Forest is a 667,000-acre natural haven in northern Minnesota. There are over 1,300 lakes in the sizable forest as well as many rivers and streams and 400,000 acres of wetlands. Water-based recreational opportunities are abundant, with visitors frequently going swimming, fishing, and boating in certain areas. A few of the largest lakes in the forest are Cass Lake, Lake Winnibigoshish, and Leech Lake. The area is excellent for birdwatching, too. If you watch the skies, you might see bald eagles and several species of hawks. Other features of the tranquil forest include 41 miles of paved trails, 160 miles of hiking trails, 20 miles of equestrian trails, and 21 developed campgrounds.