Lake Superior Circle Tour

Take the international Lake Superior Circle Tour. Enjoy this scenic travel road trip with these vacation travel guides.  Explore Lake Superior from three states and two countries!

Begin this amazing 1,300-mile circle tour in Duluth and travel by highway all the way around the world's largest freshwater lake.

You can also take this tour by boat or kayak if you choose.

Your road trip will take you through three U.S. states: Minnesota, Wisconsin & Michigan, in the U.S. 

For part of the tour you will cross into Canada and explore Lake Superior's Canadian north shore in Ontario.

All along the way you will see official Lake Superior Circle Tour signs.

Your Circle Tour Route in Minnesota

Follow historic voyageur routes as you explore miles of Lake Superior's scenic shoreline. 

• Lake Superior - From Two Harbors to Grand Marais

• Lake Superior - From Grand Marais to Grand Portage

Lake Superior Vacation Rentals - Stop for a few days along your Circle Tour route.

Top 10 North Shore Attractions: Not to be missed on your Circle Tour!

The first segment of your Circle Tour route will take you from Duluth to Thunder Bay along US-61 and CR-61. This approximately 200 mi/310 km. journey will allow you to enjoy some of the most stunning attractions of the Lake Superior North Shore.

Plan stops in tiny Knife River; lunch in Two Harbors and browse the shops in Grand Marais.

Take a walk on the shore somewhere along this route to hunt for agates.

You will leave Minnesota, and enter Canada, at Grand Portage. Before leaving Minnesota, take some time to visit the re-created fur post at Grand Portage National Monument. 

Also, don't miss taking the half-mile trek to the 120-foot High Falls on the Pigeon River in Grand Portage State Park.

You will need a passport to enter Canada and re-enter the U.S.

Stop at the Ontario Visitor Center to pick up some maps and brochures and to use their clean restrooms.

You may be able to change some of your money into Canadian dollars at the currency exchange here though they are not always open.

You will be able to use your credit or debit card in Canada so you may be able to get by with a pretty small amount of Canadian money.

If you didn't do the hike to High Falls on the U.S. side, there is a hiking trail leading from the Visitor Center to view it from the Canadian side.

Some people love to make this an extended vacation, spending lots of time in every area. Others keep driving...some in RVs, others overnight in hotels or campgrounds...and make this road trip in a few days.  

Other Segments of the
Lake Superior Circle Tour

• From Thunder Bay to Sault Ste. Marie on Trans-Canada route 17. This segment is approximately 380 mi/615 km. Then cross the International Bridge into the U.S.
• From Sault Ste. Marie to Ironwood along M-28 for approximately 310 mi/500 km. At Marquette, US-41 and M-26 follow the Keweenaw Peninsula.
• From Ironwood back to Duluth on US-2 for approximately 110 mi/170 km. An alternate route is from Ashland, WI-13 follows the Bayfield Peninsula.

Below is a fun Circle Tour "map" and some suggested resources from amazon.com

Minnesota Road Trips

While we suggest this as a summer travel road trip, autumn is a beautiful time to circle Lake Superior. If you are adventurous, and well prepared consider this as a winter road trip as well. 

Related Pages:

Lake Superior Facts

Lake Superior Lighthouses

Lake Superior Vacation Rentals

Scuba Diving Lake Superior

Lake Superior Fishing Charters

Lake Superior Ice

Lake Superior Agates

Duluth Minnesota Vacations

Minnesota Water Trails

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Back to: Lake Superior North Shore

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