Northeastern

Northeastern Minnesota covers the rugged country from Duluth and Lake Superior north to the Boundary Waters and the Canadian border, the largest and least-populated region in the state. The terrain is glacier-scoured Canadian Shield — exposed bedrock, dense boreal forest, thousands of lakes, and the Lake Superior shoreline running 150 miles from Duluth northeast to the border. The Iron Range — the largest iron-mining district in the world — runs through the central counties. Seven counties cover the region. St. Louis holds Duluth (the largest city) and the Iron Range cities of Hibbing, Virginia, and Eveleth; Carlton holds Cloquet; Itasca holds Grand Rapids; Cook holds Grand Marais and the Gunflint Trail; Lake holds Two Harbors; Koochiching holds International Falls and most of Voyageurs National Park. The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Voyageurs National Park, and Superior National Forest cover most of the public land. Most trips here split between Duluth and the wilderness. Duluth handles the urban-cultural itinerary — Canal Park, the Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center, Glensheen Mansion. The North Shore drive from Duluth to Grand Portage carries the most photographed regional traffic; the Boundary Waters draws serious paddlers; Voyageurs runs houseboats and lake cruises in summer.