Wow - had am amazing day! 3:30AM wake up call, was going to head to WI, but partway through drive changed my mind and decided to head north to Temperance River State Park. Arrived around 8am, and if I had google mapped it ahead of time, i might not have done it (4hr drive! past Tettegouche and past Split Rock).
At Temperance River State Park, I did the hiking club hike. Was super pretty, easy, rugged, and beautiful. I meandered my way up and then meandered my way back (took about 2 hrs). On my way back to the twin cities, I stopped at various sites that caught my eye. Skipped the remaining state parks. As much i would have loved to visit them, i wanted to avoid the crowds. Got home around 4pm. Definitely need to spend more time up north!
North shore trip stops:
Temperance River State Park
Cross River Falls
Black Beach
Beaver River Falls
Caribou Falls
Big Spring Falls (part of Banning state park, in Sandstone MN)
Temperance River State Park
Cross River Falls
This is right off the highway, and I only took pictures from the road.
Black beach
This is in Silver Bay MN, short stop to check out the beach
Beaver River Falls
There’s a path behind the parking lot that you can take to go down to the river/falls. Provided beautiful views, and not a lot of additional visitors. Path is kinda steep initially so keep that in mind.
Caribou Falls
Hike is half a mile from the wayside stop, and when you think you might’ve missed it keep going just a little further. There are stairs that take you down to the falls, it is kind of steep, not a lot of room to social distance. I was too tired to venture beyond the staircase, but I’m sure most folks do.
Big Spring Falls
This is part of Banning State Park, just did a quick stop halfway home. Was beautiful, wish I had tried to stop here sooner. Hike is quick to the river and then to the falls.