Bird’s eye view of the Great River Road. (© Ferrer Photography / Adobe Stock)
While the “Star of the North” isn’t conducive to motorcycle riding during winter, Minnesota offers a treasure trove of great roads for motorcyclists to explore in the warmer months. Also known as the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” the state offers scenic riding alongside lakes and rivers, past impressive dolomite bluffs, and through woodlands and farm country. It’s also where the mighty Mississippi River, America’s second-longest and highest-volume river, starts as just a trickle. The culture is just as rich as the roads, with opportunities to learn about the iron industry, Native American cultures, notable Minnesotans, and more.
Scan QR codes above or click links below to view routes on REVER:
- Route #1: Great River Road National Scenic Byway
- Route #2: North Shore Scenic Drive
- Route #3: Skyline Parkway Scenic Byway
- Route #4: Edge of the Wilderness National Scenic Byway
- Route #5: Historic Bluff Country Scenic Byway
Minnesota offers opportunities for outdoor recreation as well. It’s home to 64 state parks, 9 state recreation areas, and 22 scenic byways covering nearly 3,000 miles. While each byway offers its own view of the state, we’ve narrowed the list down to the top five roads for motorcycling, considering curves, elevation changes, points of interest, and variety. If you’re planning a ride in Minnesota, this is a great place to start.
See all of Rider‘s Minnesota touring stories here
#1 Great River Road National Scenic Byway
The scenic byway follows the Mississippi River for 3,000 miles from its source in northern Minnesota to where it pours into the Gulf of Mexico in Louisiana. (Photo by Chuck Cochran)
The Great River Road, which follows the Mississippi River as it passes through and along the edges of 10 states, starts in Minnesota. It meanders for 565 miles through the heart of the state and then south along the Mississippi’s western shore where it forms the border between Minnesota and Wisconsin. At Itasca State Park, you can walk across the rocks that mark the start of the Mississippi River. From there, head toward Lake Bemidji to see the Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox statue. East of Bemidji is Grand Rapids. Following the road south brings riders to Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area and then the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area.
Start the Great River Road with a walk across the rocks at the beginning of the Mississippi River. (Photo by Chuck Cochran)
The route also passes through the Twin Cities, giving riders the chance to explore Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Farther south is the town of Red Wing with various museums, then Wabasha, home of the National Eagle Center. Before the Great River Road leaves Minnesota, it passes through the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge.
#2 North Shore Scenic Drive
Enjoying fall colors while riding along the North Shore Scenic Drive. (Photo by Kali Kotoski)
This 154-mile stretch of State Route 61 in northern Minnesota was designated an All-American Road in 2002 and is part of the Lake Superior Circle Tour. As the name implies, it hugs the northern shore of Lake Superior, starting in Duluth and ending in Grand Portage on the Canadian border. The road is nestled between the shore and the ridgeline, providing spectacular views, and riders will see many waterfalls along the way.
The Palisade Head rock formation, located in Tettegouche State Park on SR-61, rises more than 300 feet above Lake Superior. (Photo by Kali Kotoski)
Points of interest along North Shore Scenic Drive include Gooseberry Falls State Park, Palisade Head, Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, Grand Portage National Monument within the Grand Portage Reservation, and Grand Portage State Park.
#3 Skyline Parkway Scenic Byway
The Skyline Parkway follows a ridge above Duluth. (Photo by Alyssa Hei)
More views of the North Shore can be enjoyed along the 24-mile Skyline Parkway Scenic Byway, which overlooks the city and harbor of Duluth, the shoreline of Lake Superior, and the neighboring city of Superior, Wisconsin, across the bay. Beginning south of Duluth, the byway travels north. Along the way, you’ll pass through historic neighborhoods, see waterfalls, cross several stone arch bridges, and enjoy scenic overlooks. At the north end of the byway, part of which is well-groomed gravel, is Hawk Ridge, where you can watch migratory birds in the spring and fall.
Part of the byway runs along Seven Bridges Road, where a series of stone bridges crosses Amity Creek. (Photo by Greg Drevenstedt)
After riding the Skyline Parkway, there’s plenty to do and see in Duluth. Motorcyclists especially should plan to visit the Aerostich factory and store. Other things to check out include the Enger Tower (80-foot-tall tower perched 450 feet above Lake Superior), Park Point (the world’s longest freshwater sandbar), and the Aerial Lift Bridge (a 135-foot-tall bridge that connects Duluth to the sandbar). The Parkway’s northern terminus connects to North Shore Scenic Drive.
#4 Edge of the Wilderness National Scenic Byway
Edge of the Wilderness National Scenic Byway winds its way through and around pristine lakes, forests, swamps, and rolling hills in Chippewa National Forest. (Photo by Chuck Cochran)
This 47-mile route in northern Minnesota starts on State Route 38 in Grand Rapids about a mile north of the Great River Road National Scenic Byway. It continues north through Chippewa National Forest, home to America’s largest population of bald eagles, on its way to Effie. The recently resurfaced pavement is pristine, and the road offers great scenery, historic sites, and wildlife. Also along the route is the Laurentian Divide, a geographic line where water rolls either north to Hudson Bay or south into the Mississippi River. The road travels around 36 lakes, and designated Discovery Sites provide an opportunity to learn more about the area along the route.
Around Marcell, you’ll find resorts and campgrounds, as well as the ranger station for the Chippewa National Forest. Grand Rapids is another choice for a base from which to enjoy the route and includes the Judy Garland Museum, the Forest History Center, the Myles Reif Performing Arts Center, and more to see and do after a day of riding.
#5 Historic Bluff Country Scenic Byway
Historic Bluff Country Scenic Byway is named in part because of rugged dolomite bluffs in the Mississippi and Root river valleys of southern Minnesota. (Photo by Matthew Lukas)
This route travels 88 miles through the farmland of the Root River Valley in southeastern Minnesota, from La Crescent on the Mississippi River (where it connects to the Great River Road National Scenic Byway) west to the town of Dexter. The road goes through small towns like historic Lanesboro and Spring Valley and includes rolling hills and grand dolomite bluffs. The road also provides access to the Root River State Trail, a 42-mile rails-to-trail path that links the towns of Houston and Fountain. Riding through Amish country, keep an eye out for horse-drawn buggies (and road apples!).
There are also historic sites and towns along the route, where visitors will find Amish communities, cave tours, antique shops, and museums. (Photo by Chuck Cochran)
The town of Lanesboro, first settled in 1856, is a great place to stay along this route and includes hotels, restaurants, and things to do and see. Riders can also stop by Mystery Cave State Park for a tour of the cave system. The Mississippi River offers more recreational opportunities with rental options for kayaking, canoeing, and fishing.
Minnesota Stories from the Pages of Rider
- Iron Range Ramble: Northern Minnesota Motorcycle Ride
- Skyline Parkway Scenic Byway in Duluth, Minnesota | Favorite Ride
- Beauty in Bluff Country: A Southern Minnesota Motorcycle Ride
- Exploring the Far North: A Northern Minnesota Motorcycle Ride
- Minnesota Lakes Loop | Favorite Ride
- Highway 61 Remastered: Riding Along Minnesota’s North Shore
Minnesota Resources
- Minnesota Tourism
- Aerostich RiderWear
- Bemidji
- Cook County
- Duluth
- Effie/Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway
- Grand Rapids
- Great River Road
- Lake County
- Lanesboro
- Minneapolis
- Red Wing
- Saint Paul
- Wabasha
The post Top 5 Motorcycle Roads in Minnesota appeared first on Rider Magazine.
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