Minnesota Explorer: Fall Foliage

Day 1

Arrive Minneapolis/St Paul (airport code MSP) by 1pm and be greeted by your Canyon Calling Trip Leader. Our northbound drive will begin the oh’s and ah’s of the fall foliage as we travel to Duluth to sample a bit of the “San Francisco of the Midwest.” Both the hilly surroundings and shoreline’s abundant outdoor spaces create the similarity. We’ll check into our hotel right in Canal Park, do the Lake Walk and introduce ourselves to Lake Superior, which is very aptly named. We’ll enjoy our Welcome Dinner in one of the many great restaurants in Canal Park, next to the historic Lift Bridge. Overnight Duluth.

Day 2

After breakfast we’ll walk along the lakeshore and stop at the site where the Edmund Fitzgerald met its ill fate. We’ll hike to a park on the lakeside and stretch our legs before heading north. This is about a 2-3 mile roundtrip hike. Leaving Duluth, we’ll continue our journey via the North Shore Scenic Drive, a designated American Scenic Byway along Lake Superior. We’ll stop along the way in Two Harbors, a cheerful lakeside community, for a bit of shopping. Next, we’ll explore one of our favorite places, Gooseberry Falls! This is an easy two mile “Falls Loop” hike, enjoying the many waterfalls and fabulous photo opportunities of the fall foliage. We’ll have a picnic lunch here too and enjoy the Visitor Center. We’ll arrive late afternoon in the artsy harbor village of Grand Marais, on the north shore of Lake Superior. We’ll head up the Gunflint Trail to get checked into our cabin for a two night stay. Dinner is at the Lodge.  Maybe we’ll join the fire pit with a beverage of choice this evening and listen to the sounds of the loon, Minnesota’s state bird. Overnight Gunflint Trail Lodge.

Thanks for a fabulous vacation. All your pre-planning certainly paid off.
— Susan N, NY

Day 3

After breakfast, we’ll hike in one or two of the beautiful state parks that abound in this area. The waterfalls, the gorgeous fall colors, and the brisk fall air all make these hikes so invigorating and delightful.  After lunch, we’l stop in Grand Marais to explore this unique community and maybe stop for an ice cream. There’s time to amble through this unique, artistic community with fun shops to wander through, small museums, and quaint art galleries. Back at our Lodge, we’ll canoe or kayak in the BWCAW (Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness) with amazement of this precious and stunning area. The loon calls are soul-stirring, and the experience is priceless!  Again, the fall colors will bring the oh’s and ah’s to our lips.  We’ll have hopes to see moose or possibly black bears too, among the other critters that frequent this area. Dinner at the lodge with maybe a ‘movie night’ afterwards in our cabin. Overnight Gunflint Trail Lodge.

Day 4

After breakfast we’ll stop to pick up a picnic lunch, then head south with a hiking stop in one of Minnesota’s foliage-famous state parks along Lake Superior. Temperance River Falls Loop takes us to Temperance River State Park, located on the shores of Lake Superior. It’s a beautiful hike of approximately 3 miles featuring waterfalls, rapids, and stunning views of the Temperance River. We have added a stop at the famous Split Rock Lighthouse on the shores of Lake Superior! A November gale that wrecked nearly 30 ships in 1905 prompted this rugged landmark’s construction. When the U.S. Lighthouse Service completed Split Rock Light Station in 1910, it soon became one of Minnesota’s best known destinations. Split Rock Lighthouse is one of the most photographed and visited spots in the state, with a drama-filled history and breathtaking Lake Superior views. We’ll head back to “civilization” with a late afternoon arrival in Minneapolis/St Paul. Our hotel is by the Mall of America and yes, we will have time to enjoy shopping at the MOA (tax free on clothes, shoes, and more) before or after our delicious Farewell Dinner. Overnight Minneapolis St. Paul / Bloomington MOA Airport area.

Janet led us through an adventure that filled our souls and brought Mother Nature into full view.
— Betty H., WA

Day 5

Enjoy breakfast and the hotel’s amenities before your complimentary hotel to airport transfer…or stay and enjoy all the beautiful Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul have to offer!

• 4 days / 4 nights fully guided tour by a Canyon Calling Trip Leader
• Accommodations in double occupancy
• All transportation as noted in the itinerary
• All meals from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on Day 5
• All activities noted in the itinerary
• All entrance fees, park passes, and taxes

• Round-trip transportation to/from our meetup point in Minneapolis/St Paul
• Alcoholic beverages and other Items of a personal nature
• Optional travel insurance and gratuity to your Trip Leader at the end of the tour