Scenic Driving

Signs along the Superior National Forest Scenic Byway

The Superior National Forest offers some wonderful drives enjoyed by tourists and local citizens as areas of unique or exceptional natural beauty. Three of the four nationally designated Scenic Byways and Drives in northern Minnesota are located at least partially in the Forest. An extensive and newly revised Discovery Auto Tour allows you to explore a large portion of the Forest from your car. Seasonally, we offer spectacular drives through the autumn woods.

Follow a link below as your first step to following the open road.

Scenic Driving Areas

Gunflint Ranger District (Grand Marais MN)
Welcome to the Gunflint Ranger District! This area is the most Northeastern portion of the Forest, stretching from near Lake Superior all the way to the Canandian Border. The district office is located right in the town of Grand Marais. Follow the Gunflint trail which is a designated National Scenic Byway to one of the many opportunities this district offers.
Gunflint Trail Scenic Byway
LaCroix Ranger District (Cook MN)
Welcome to the LaCroix Ranger District. The landscape in this area is covered with dense forest and spotted with numerous lakes. Destination highlights include the Vermilion River and its falls and gorge, the Echo Trail, and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Also nearby is scenic Lake Vermilion. Recreational activities include boating, fishing, camping, hiking, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and much more.

The district office and visitor center is located in the town of Cook on US Hwy 53 midway between Duluth and International Falls. The log visitor center has regional information, many wildlife mounts, and a gift shop with maps, books, and other items for sale.
Discovery Auto Tour
Laurentian Ranger District (Aurora MN)
Welcome to the Laurentian Ranger District. This district is the southern portion of the Superior National Forest stretching from McCarthy State Park north of Hibbing, MN to near the north shore of Lake Superior. The district office is in Aurora. The Superior National Forest Scenic Byway bisects the District from Aurora to Silver Bay. It links communities steeped in the tradition of iron mining, logging and tourism.
Laurentian Fall Color Tour
Superior National Forest Scenic Byway
Tofte Ranger District (Tofte MN)
Welcome to the Tofte Ranger District. The geography of this area runs from the rocky shores of Lake Superior to the miniature mountains of the Sawtooth Range. There are plenty of lakes, lots of forest, and miles of wilderness. Recreational opportunities abound with campgrounds of all sorts, trails for hiking, skiing, and motor use, and multiple entry points to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The District office is located in the town of Tofte, right on scenic Minnesota Highway 61. Maps and some gift items are for sale at the office.

Find a spot for you by following the links to the activities listed below, or find a recreation area by name by expanding the Tofte portion of the "Find an Area" section to the right.
North Shore Scenic Drive
Sawtooth Mountains Fall Color Tour

Scenic Driving

Scenic Driving Areas

Quick Links

Recreation Areas

Recreation Activities