https://www.escapevrm.com/resources daily 0.75 2026-06-11 https://www.escapevrm.com/resources/hidden-gems-on-the-north-shore-how-to-escape-the-crowds monthly 0.5 2026-06-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a0d1bdf08fe55ad08f072e/2718f2c1-9a65-4e52-9f06-35bd453257cc/Black+Beach.jpg Resources - Hidden Gems on the North Shore: How to Escape the Crowds - Black Beach (Silver Bay) Where to find it: Mile Marker 54.3. Turn right onto Melfahl Road, follow it down past the taconite plant to the beach parking lot. Why it's a gem: While it has become slightly more popular in recent years, many travelers still bypass Silver Bay entirely because it is an industrial mining hub. Tucked behind the plant is Minnesota's only black sand beach, created by historic taconite tailings mixed with dark river sediment. The contrast of the pitch-black sand against the brilliant blue of Lake Superior and the towering amber cliffs is surreal. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a0d1bdf08fe55ad08f072e/b641b0e5-481c-456a-a675-f8a487153fb8/Stony+Point.jpg Resources - Hidden Gems on the North Shore: How to Escape the Crowds - Stony Point (Between Duluth and Knife River) Where to find it: Just past the Duluth township sign, take old Highway 61 and turn right onto Stony Point Drive. Why it's a gem: Most tourists rush past this old coastal loop on their mad dash north. Stony Point is a rugged, boulder-strewn peninsula where storm chasers and local surfers gather. When the gales of November (or strong spring winds) whip up Lake Superior, this is the safest, most awe-inspiring spot to watch massive 15-foot waves smash directly into the ancient volcanic rock. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a0d1bdf08fe55ad08f072e/3282dd36-f99b-448e-881d-837359198ce7/The+High+Falls+on+the+Pigeon+River.jpg Resources - Hidden Gems on the North Shore: How to Escape the Crowds - The High Falls on the Pigeon River Where to find it: Mile Marker 150 (Grand Portage State Park). Why it's a gem: Because it sits directly on the Canadian border–literally a two-minute walk from the international customs checkpoint–few casual weekend travelers ever make it this far north. Their loss is your gain. At 120 feet tall, this is the highest waterfall in Minnesota. A beautifully maintained, handicap-accessible boardwalk leads you through a quiet pine forest to a thunderous, mist-shrouded gorge that rivals anything in the Pacific Northwest. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a0d1bdf08fe55ad08f072e/81def389-78e3-4feb-b7ab-cf66fa7612c5/Caribou+Falls.jpg Resources - Hidden Gems on the North Shore: How to Escape the Crowds - Caribou Falls Where to find it: Mile Marker 70.7, right at the Caribou Falls State Wayside. Why it's a gem: Thousands of drivers pass this tiny gravel wayside parking lot every day on their way to Lutsen. If you pull over, you will find a moderate, 1-mile round-trip hike along the Superior Hiking Trail that drops you right into a hidden canyon. The trail rewards you with a spectacular, intimate view of a 35-foot waterfall plunging into a pristine pool of crystal-clear water. It offers all the beauty of Gooseberry Falls, but usually with only a fraction of the people. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a0d1bdf08fe55ad08f072e/45cea2e3-e59a-45ba-9ff8-3b7f1c1a5ef0/White+Sky+Rock.jpg Resources - Hidden Gems on the North Shore: How to Escape the Crowds - White Sky Rock Where to find it: Near Lutsen. Turn up the Caribou Trail (County Road 4) for about 4 miles, then park at the Superior Hiking Trail parking lot near Caribou Lake. Why it's a gem: Everyone climbs Oberg Mountain for fall colors, resulting in a bumper-to-bumper human traffic jam on the trail. White Sky Rock is a steep, short, 15-minute heart-pumping climb located just down the road. The summit opens up onto a massive, flat rock ledge that offers a breathtaking, unobstructed view straight down into Caribou Lake and the endless carpet of the Superior National Forest. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a0d1bdf08fe55ad08f072e/f0a5e0e1-f181-410a-9441-afd78cc3fa92/Mount+Josephine.jpg Resources - Hidden Gems on the North Shore: How to Escape the Crowds - Mount Josephine Where to find it: Grand Portage. Take Highway 61 to County Road 17, turn right, and look for the small trail sign. Why it's a gem: This is a rugged, steep, 2.5-mile hike, but it offers what many locals consider the single greatest view in the entire state of Minnesota. From the top of the 700-foot summit, you get a bird's-eye panoramic view of the Susie Islands archipelago, the sweeping curve of Wauswaugoning Bay, and on a clear day, the distant outline of Isle Royale. https://www.escapevrm.com/resources/the-most-iconic-restaurants-bars-amp-breweries-on-the-north-shore monthly 0.5 2026-06-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a0d1bdf08fe55ad08f072e/4838bb55-08a0-4ea0-ac9a-12ba41625b3b/Betty%27s+Pies.jpg Resources - The Most Iconic Restaurants, Bars & Breweries on The North Shore - Betty’s Pies (Two Harbors) The Vibe: Classic, nostalgic 1950s roadside diner. The Iconic Order: A slice of "Five Flavour" (strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, blackberry, and apple) or the Great Lakes Crunch. Insider Tip: If the parking lot is completely packed, head to the side "To-Go" window to grab your slices and eat them down by the beach instead of waiting an hour for a booth. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a0d1bdf08fe55ad08f072e/8c007a89-a88e-4f9d-b5be-326cee140761/World%27s+Best+Donuts.jpg Resources - The Most Iconic Restaurants, Bars & Breweries on The North Shore - World Best Donuts (Grand Marais) The Vibe: A tiny, family-owned red shack that has been frying dough on the harbor since 1969. The Iconic Order: A warm Cake Donut or a "Skizzle" (a massive, pulled piece of fried dough topped with sugar). Insider Tip: They operate on seasonal hours and will close early if they sell out of dough. Show up before 9:00 AM to ensure you get your fix. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a0d1bdf08fe55ad08f072e/fbd07aad-d22d-4d29-bc40-b43297c76666/Russ+Kendall%27s+Smokehouse.jpg Resources - The Most Iconic Restaurants, Bars & Breweries on The North Shore - Russ Kendall’s Smokehouse (Knife River) The Vibe: An authentic, old-school smokehouse steeped in maritime history. The Iconic Order: Smoked Lake Trout or Sugar-Cured Salmon, eaten straight off the butcher paper at one of their outdoor picnic tables. Insider Tip: Pick up a container of their house-made smoked fish dip and a sleeve of crackers to keep in your vacation rental fridge for a perfect post-hike snack. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a0d1bdf08fe55ad08f072e/241beaec-cf1f-4afd-8d7d-954332ff6af3/Sven+and+Oles.jpg Resources - The Most Iconic Restaurants, Bars & Breweries on The North Shore - Sven & Ole’s (Grand Marais) The Vibe: Loud, cheerful, Scandinavian-humor-themed pizza parlor. The Iconic Order: The "Uffda" Pizza (loaded with meats) or a slice featuring local wild rice. Insider Tip: Head upstairs to the Pickled Herring Club bar if you want a more casual, local pub vibe to grab a beer while you wait for your pie. https://www.escapevrm.com/resources/the-best-places-to-stay-on-the-north-shore-of-minnesota-a-beginners-guide monthly 0.5 2026-06-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a0d1bdf08fe55ad08f072e/2b4232ae-4192-4855-a799-895345df0076/50.png Resources - The Best Places to Stay on The North Shore of Minnesota: A Beginner’s Guide Planning a trip "up north" along Minnesota’s North Shore is an unforgettable experience, but if you are new to the area, choosing where to stay can feel incredibly overwhelming. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a0d1bdf08fe55ad08f072e/4940b435-b47d-4606-90d1-3eb5f3cb4342/North+Shore+Map+Graphic.png Resources - The Best Places to Stay on The North Shore of Minnesota: A Beginner’s Guide - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a0d1bdf08fe55ad08f072e/bdff4831-b528-4bd2-bcdb-192cc47970c2/unsplash-image-U9lbsRIkwoo.jpg Resources - The Best Places to Stay on The North Shore of Minnesota: A Beginner’s Guide - Make it stand out The Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge crossing over the Duluth Ship Canal to Lake Superior, Minnesota (Source: Unsplash) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a0d1bdf08fe55ad08f072e/88958951-c653-492c-a0d3-43e224bb5471/Lutsen+Mountain+Ski+Gondolas.jpg Resources - The Best Places to Stay on The North Shore of Minnesota: A Beginner’s Guide - Make it stand out The dramatic summer canopy and Gondola over the Sawtooth Mountains in Lutsen, Minnesota https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a0d1bdf08fe55ad08f072e/fc5e7bca-f597-4d55-af52-706da028c370/Grand+Marais+Lighthouse.jpg Resources - The Best Places to Stay on The North Shore of Minnesota: A Beginner’s Guide - Make it stand out The iconic Grand Marais Lighthouse in Grand Marais, Minnesota (Source: Lake Superior Cultural Circle Tour) https://www.escapevrm.com/contact daily 0.75 2026-04-15 https://www.escapevrm.com/home daily 1.0 2026-06-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a0d1bdf08fe55ad08f072e/6618a72c-0029-4930-b3a3-7bb18b7fa218/North+Shore+Lake+Superior+Landscape+Outdoor+Nature.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a0d1bdf08fe55ad08f072e/88958951-c653-492c-a0d3-43e224bb5471/Lutsen+Mountain+Ski+Gondolas.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a0d1bdf08fe55ad08f072e/d7dcb895-44f9-407f-a259-c2debbdfaf42/Destin+Florida+Beach+Vacation+Rental+Properties.jpeg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a0d1bdf08fe55ad08f072e/94ded801-fefb-40ca-984d-3ab5d1aaa356/Digital+Nomad+Person+Working+on+Laptop.jpeg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a0d1bdf08fe55ad08f072e/501c0ff6-0983-4099-a4ff-08ee53ea19cf/North+Shore+Generic.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a0d1bdf08fe55ad08f072e/b37968f6-3ef8-4e6c-9124-97751ad8e10c/Hollow+Rock+Small+V2.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a0d1bdf08fe55ad08f072e/d5e343b8-e02a-408e-839e-b477cf398509/Living+room3.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a0d1bdf08fe55ad08f072e/88958951-c653-492c-a0d3-43e224bb5471/Lutsen+Mountain+Ski+Gondolas.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a0d1bdf08fe55ad08f072e/1775767826886-UGZOISSS9H009VKS32FQ/unsplash-image-Wo1Tvu3LQ1Q.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a0d1bdf08fe55ad08f072e/c4163e02-4d89-475b-8e34-e22664e80551/38.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a0d1bdf08fe55ad08f072e/2bfdd7a3-396d-4fca-b3ce-38f3e342e53a/Bluefin.jpg https://www.escapevrm.com/about daily 0.75 2026-04-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a0d1bdf08fe55ad08f072e/94ded801-fefb-40ca-984d-3ab5d1aaa356/Digital+Nomad+Person+Working+on+Laptop.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a0d1bdf08fe55ad08f072e/80a71dd1-fef2-4f7a-9eff-3b6ec4323b52/Jessie+Bio_2026.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a0d1bdf08fe55ad08f072e/3999a311-ea26-4176-b595-60630945ae39/Shayla+Bio_2026.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a0d1bdf08fe55ad08f072e/3fdf7bac-943d-418d-8950-120a86864956/Garrett+Bio_2026.png+V2.png https://www.escapevrm.com/all-properties daily 0.75 2026-05-28 https://www.escapevrm.com/property-details daily 0.75 2026-04-09 https://www.escapevrm.com/property-management-services daily 0.75 2026-04-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a0d1bdf08fe55ad08f072e/432c42ee-2681-47fb-9f70-df49f7def95d/Airbnb+-+5000+MN-61_Early+Twilight_002.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a0d1bdf08fe55ad08f072e/5b07b507-2779-4691-8e91-13d159757613/Cynthia+Froid+_+Airbnb+-+MN-61+-+Twilight_010.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a0d1bdf08fe55ad08f072e/1775767961007-XOSZYMGLYCUO5D7GTTNH/unsplash-image-Wx0u8dYX_y0.jpg https://www.escapevrm.com/lutsen-vacation-rentals daily 0.75 2026-04-15 https://www.escapevrm.com/hovland-vacation-rentals daily 0.75 2026-04-15 https://www.escapevrm.com/tofte-vacation-rentals daily 0.75 2026-04-15 https://www.escapevrm.com/destin-vacation-rentals daily 0.75 2026-04-15 https://www.escapevrm.com/north-shore-vacation-rentals daily 0.75 2026-06-11 https://www.escapevrm.com/guestregistration-chl daily 0.75 2026-04-28