Cascade Vacation Rentals Blog | A Guide to all things North Shore

1 01, 2020

Bobcats
Bobcats

Bobcats

Jaye2021-02-25T21:47:41+00:00Animals|

The bobcat is the most common wildcat in North America, and lives in the woods on the North Shore! Bobcats are a medium-sized cat that has shades of beige and brown fur, with distinct spotted markings. Also, they have a short bobbed tail, from which it gets its name. The bobcat is usually confused with its bigger cousin, the lynx. However, they are different species of wild cat. The biggest difference between the two animals is their size and a white tip on their short black tail. Approximately 725,000 to 1,020,000 bobcats remain in the wild. About 2,000 of them [...]

1 01, 2020

Putt ‘N Pets
Putt ‘N Pets

Putt ‘N Pets

Martha Finley2021-08-09T17:42:58+00:00Activities & Attractions, Grand Marais, Local Businesses|

Driving into Grand Marais from the west (Duluth) you’ll find yourself catching a glimpse of some peculiar things on the south side of Highway 61. A moose? A bear chasing a man up a tree? A… goat watching mini-golf? Don’t worry, you aren’t seeing things. Your long drive from wherever you are coming from has not made your eyes play tricks on you. At least, not in this case. Those things are really there. They are at Putt ‘N Pets, the most whimsical mini-golf course on Earth (or, at least, on the North Shore). Located at 2014 W Highway 61 [...]

1 01, 2020

Snowy Owls
Snowy Owls

Snowy Owls

Jaye2021-02-25T21:57:26+00:00Animals|

Snowy Owls, the largest of the North American owls, are beautiful, large white birds that call the North Shore their home. Their white bodies and wings have varying amounts of brown or black markings on them, with females tending to have more. The white body helps camouflage the big bulky body of the owl in the winters. The Snowy Owl will travel great distances in search of prey and for breeding purposes. Unlike most owls, Snowy Owls are very active throughout the day and rely on their hearing to find prey. Habitat In winter, Snowy Owls tend to move toward [...]

1 01, 2020

Burlington Bay
Burlington Bay

Burlington Bay

Martha Finley2021-02-25T21:58:54+00:00Activities & Attractions, Beaches, Two Harbors/Castle Danger|

The small town of Burlington Bay, which consisted of a sawmill and a few shacks near present-day Two Harbors, was built by David A. Currier and Charles Hibbard in the mid-1800s. The two men initially came to the area to salvage lumber after a nearby forest fire ripped through the area. A steam-powered sawmill and dock were built on the east side of the bay to support their efforts. At the peak existence in 1957, there were 25 residents. Just a few short years later, after the timber salvage was over, the sawmill was moved to Duluth. Eventually, the town [...]

1 01, 2020

Taconite Harbor
Taconite Harbor

Taconite Harbor

Martha Finley2021-08-09T16:41:37+00:00Activities & Attractions, History, Schroeder/Tofte|

Taconite Harbor is a safe harbor located near Schroeder, MN. The harbor originally opened in 1957 and was built using two natural islands that were located near the shore. The breakwaters built from these islands were built large enough for massive ore boats to enter and leave the harbor. While in the harbor, the boats were filled with low-grade taconite pellets that came by rail from Hoyt Lakes 75 miles away. The harbor closed in 2001 after the steel industry declined. Now the harbor is used as a public water access site and a safe harbor. On the far side [...]

1 01, 2020

Paradise Beach
Paradise Beach

Paradise Beach

Martha Finley2021-02-25T21:59:36+00:00Activities & Attractions, Beaches, Grand Marais|

Looking for agates or a great public beach to visit near Grand Marais? Rock Picking and Agate Hunting is a popular family hobby and Paradise Beach is one of the most popular agate hunting sites along the North Shore. This long cobblestone beach is a perfect place to take a leisurely stroll while keeping your eye out for your next big payday! Paradise Beach is also very close to an entry point for the Superior Hiking Trail making it easy to take a hike and enjoy the views of the lake. There are also picnic tables located along the shore [...]

1 01, 2020

Agate Bay Railroad Tracks
Agate Bay Railroad Tracks

Agate Bay Railroad Tracks

Martha Finley2021-02-25T21:59:54+00:00Activities & Attractions, Two Harbors/Castle Danger|

If you’re walking along the shore of Agate Bay in Two Harbors near the lighthouse, you might stumble upon something strange, the Agate Bay Railroad Tracks that begin at the edge of the water and lead into the harbor. It’s a strange sight that will immediately make you wonder about the history of the tracks and why they lead into the water. No, there is not an underwater train that you can ride. Instead, this set of railroad tracks once served the booming commercial fishing village of Agate Bay, and now it sits eerily disappearing into the depths of Lake [...]

1 01, 2020

Lookout Mountain
Lookout Mountain

Lookout Mountain

Martha Finley2021-02-25T22:00:17+00:00Activities & Attractions, Lutsen|

Located in Cascade River State Park is one of Minnesota’s many unique features. Halfway between Schroeder and Grand Marais, Cascade Park is usually just a pit stop since the cascades are an easy stroll from the parking lot. But as you continue, you will be amazed at what you find. The trail to Lookout Mountain winds around the mountain giving you picturesque views of Lake Superior and the surrounding forest. The hike begins out of the parking lot along Highway 61 (if your back is to Lake Superior, the trail you'll want to take is on the left side of [...]

1 01, 2020

Oberg Loop
Oberg Loop

Oberg Loop

Martha Finley2021-07-28T16:11:42+00:00Activities & Attractions, Schroeder/Tofte|

Do you want to hike a trail that has spectacular views of the area at any time of the year? Look no further! The Oberg Loop is a spur trail of the Superior Hiking Trail between Tofte and Lutsen. It offers hikers incredible views of Lake Superior, Oberg Lake, and the Sawtooth Mountains. The loop is approximately 2.3 miles in length. Many visitors have said that they prefer to hike the trail counter-clockwise. By doing so, hikers will first see an overlook of LeVeaux Mountain to the west. Continuing further, the trail offers excellent overlooks of Lake Superior. On clear days, [...]

1 01, 2020

Towering Pines Canopy Tour
Towering Pines Canopy Tour

Towering Pines Canopy Tour

Martha Finley2021-08-09T16:36:20+00:00Activities & Attractions, Gunflint Trail/BWCA|

Towering Pines Canopy Tour on the Gunflint Trail - Zip Line Adventure Park Looking for an adventure on your next trip to northern Minnesota? Want to do something a little out of the ordinary? Fly high with the thrill-seeking Towering Pines Canopy Tour located on the Gunflint Trail in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area! The Towering Pines Canopy Tour takes "eagle-eye view" to a new level. The tour features eight high-speed zip lines that take you through the boreal forest canopy. It also features spectacular views of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area as your backdrop. Cruise among and even onto [...]