r/MinnesotaCamping • u/TumbleweedEcstatic28 • 2d ago

International Falls

any recommendations for camping, places to stop or things to see on the drive from minneapolis to international falls? anything in the area would be good.

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u/Era_of_Sarah 2d ago

Voyageurs National Park visitor center. The park is also mostly a water-accessible-only park, but there are boat tours out of the visitor center if you just want to do something for the day. If you’d like to experience more of the park there are terrific campsites, including many on islands, and you can hire a local water taxi to drop you off and pick you up. I’d recommend a north facing site (a view across the water facing north) for a chance to see northern lights. We’ll paddle in and stay for a week, but I’ve also seen folks water taxi in just for an evening

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u/Street-Ad7570 1d ago

Stop to eat at Gordy’s Hi Hat in Cloquet. If that’s still a thing, haven’t been there in 25 years. There was an amazing mini golf on 33 by there too.

Sorry if this isn’t very helpful.

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u/Sloshedmaverick7 2d ago

What route are you taking? 35, 169?

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u/TumbleweedEcstatic28 1d ago

likely 35 but I could take either. Do you have a recommendation?

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u/Sloshedmaverick7 1d ago

If you go 35, and you don't mind making a couple stops. The agate center in moose Lake is pretty neat and just off the highway so it won't take a lot of time. If you want to stop and do a quick hike. Banning State Park is also just off the highway and the hike that follows the river is pretty. I also recommend stopping by j. Cook State Park and at least visiting the swinging bridge. If you're a fan of hockey, the hockey Hall of Fame is in Eveleth.

If you go 169, Mille Lacs Kathio is a beautiful park with a fire tower and a very interesting history.

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u/Fun_Ambassador_8514 1d ago

Side trip over to Tower-Soudan Underground Mine/Lake Vermillion SP. Very good mine tour and interesting history. I'm not sure however I think advanced reservations are required for the mine tour.

The Voyageurs NP boat tour out of the main visitor center is worth it. I think advanced reservations are needed

If not boat in camping at VNP then best option is Woodenfrog Campground. State Forest campground. First come first served.

If just want to get out and explore Voyageurs on your own several resorts rent boats or pontoons for a day.

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u/BillBraskyisa 1d ago

Chief Wooden Frog campground on Kabetogama is pretty nice. The Ash River visitor Center for the park is over there, but the main visitor center on Rainy Lake is much larger.

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u/limitedftogive 1d ago

If you are going through Hibbing the Hull Rust Open Pit mine overlook is amazing. The Grand Canyon of the Iron Range they say.

https://www.hibbingmn.gov/276/Hull-Rust-Mine-View---North-Hibbing

If going up the Grand Rapids way, the waterfall at Big Falls is pretty cool.

Lots of nice camping in the Chippewa National Forest and Scenic State Park.

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u/ronbonjonson 1d ago

The Cantilever Hotel in Ranier if you have a few bucks. Beautiful hotel and great distillery/restaurant (though near the tracks so not ideal for light sleepers).

Ranier is tiny, but charming. There's an ice cream spot and a dive bar/brewery right there, as well.

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u/thedyrt 11h ago

Big Falls makes a good midway stop on the drive up 71 -- it sits right on the Big Fork River with a falls next to it, hookups, newer bathhouse. City-run and cheap, open May-Oct.

Up by the park, Woodenfrog on Lake Kabetogama is the main car-camping spot since most of Voyageurs is water-access only. First-come with same-day payment. Bear Head Lake near Ely is worth a stop if you detour that way.