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

1 01, 2020

Kelsey Beach
Kelsey Beach

Kelsey Beach

Martha Finley2021-02-25T22:02:54+00:00Activities & Attractions, Beaches, Two Harbors/Castle Danger|

Just north of Two Harbors, across the street from the legendary Betty’s Pies (which we highly recommend) is a small, dark cobblestone beach named Kelsey Beach. The beach is made up of fascinating forms of stilled lava and parts of it are covered with small cobblestones. It is rumored that Kelsey Beach has some sort of mystical power. Visitors often say that the beach is a sanctuary that fills them with peace and tranquility each time they visit. Nearby, the Stewart River flows under a concrete arch bridge that was built in 1924. The river is named after the settler, [...]

1 01, 2020

Gitchi Gami State Trail
Gitchi Gami State Trail

Gitchi Gami State Trail

Martha Finley2021-08-09T17:38:09+00:00Activities & Attractions, Beaver Bay/Silver Bay/Finland, Grand Marais, Lutsen, Schroeder/Tofte, Two Harbors/Castle Danger|

When the Gitchi Gami State Trail is completed, it will have 89 miles of paved recreational trail for anyone to enjoy. It will range from Two Harbors all the way to Grand Marais and be open to a variety of recreational uses like biking, jogging, walking, and inline skating. It will be a beautiful way for people to explore the North Shore and still get exercise while doing so! As of now, 29 miles are complete, including some segments from Silver Bay to Beaver Bay and some found between Tofte and Lutsen. This year (2021) another section was completed connecting [...]

1 01, 2020

Crystal Beach
Crystal Beach

Crystal Beach

Martha Finley2021-10-05T17:26:50+00:00Activities & Attractions, Beaches, Beaver Bay/Silver Bay/Finland|

The name of this beach speaks for itself. Flowing out of the surrounding hills, Crystal Beach is full of multicolored stones and the beach is truly majestic. White northern trees surround the area and the sea caves seem to hide hidden treasure or secrets. This may be the reason why the founders of 3M chose this location to mine for minerals. 3M spent a year mining what they thought was corundum—a stone they thought they could use to fashion their own type of sandpaper. Finally, in the winter of 1903-04, they shipped a ton of the ore to Duluth, only [...]

1 01, 2020

Black Beach
Black Beach

Black Beach

Martha Finley2021-02-25T22:13:18+00:00Activities & Attractions, Beaches, Beaver Bay/Silver Bay/Finland|

The fascinating Black Beach is found in a secluded area near Silver Bay, MN. Since the shore of the beach is a unique black color, visiting this beach is said to be a very strange experience and is one of a kind on the North Shore. In other words, it's a must see! The strange black coloration is not natural. It came as a result of the taconite tailings that were dumped into the lake by local miners years ago. Taconite is a low-grade iron-ore that is refined, then baked, creating taconite pellets that are easily transported. Decades ago, the [...]

1 01, 2020

Waterfalls of Minnesota’s North Shore
Waterfalls of Minnesota’s North Shore

Waterfalls of Minnesota’s North Shore

Martha Finley2021-08-09T14:50:53+00:00Nature, Waterfalls|

Eve and Gary Wallinga are St. Cloud residents who have a healthy obsession with water. This works out well for the artistic couple who love to visit Lake Superior and Minnesota’s North Shore. Showcasing their fascination with the area and its many incredible waterfalls, Eve and Gary published a book on exactly that topic; Waterfalls of Minnesota’s North Shore: A Guide for Sightseers, Hikers, and Romantics The book is titled Waterfalls of Minnesota’s North Shore: A Guide for Sightseers, Hikers, and Romantics. Published by the Northern Wilds Media company based in Grand Marais, the book is a favorite on the [...]

1 01, 2020

Pilings at Split Rock River
Pilings at Split Rock River

Pilings at Split Rock River

Martha Finley2021-08-09T14:47:24+00:00Activities & Attractions, Beaches, History, Two Harbors/Castle Danger|

Have you ever driven northeast on Highway 61 between Two Harbors and Silver Bay and wondered about the history of the pilings that stick out of the water at the mouth of the Split Rock River? If so, you’re not alone (and you’re also in luck)! The pilings at Split Rock River date back from the late 19th and early 20th century. This was when the Split Rock Lumber Company, a subsidiary of the Merrill and Ring Lumber Company, logged the area. The company logged Norway, red and white pine. The company built a railroad 10 miles long to carry [...]

1 01, 2020

Agate Beach
Agate Beach

Agate Beach

Martha Finley2021-02-25T22:14:35+00:00Activities & Attractions, Beaches, Two Harbors/Castle Danger|

When most people think of Gooseberry Falls State Park, they think of the well-known falls that reside within the park. Though the falls are incredibly beautiful, they also undermine another gem in the park: Agate Beach. Agate Beach is found at the mouth of the Gooseberry River where the water from the river meets Lake Superior. As its name suggests, the beach is a great spot for searching for prized Lake Superior Agates. One of the most interesting things about the mouth of the river is its ever-changing beach and sandbar. Each season affects the formation differently. Melting snow in the spring [...]

1 01, 2020

Wolves
Wolves

Wolves

Jaye2021-02-25T22:15:17+00:00Animals|

On Lake Superior's North Shore, wolves are alive and well! The 2018 DNR population survey reported 439 packs and over 2,200 wolves living within Minnesota. They are found primarily in the northern half of the state. That survey also showed that the population of the grey wolf was growing, increasing from just 374 packs found during the previous survey. Population Recovery This is a great recovery from a century ago when the wolf population dwindled to almost zero. This was primarily due to active hunting. It used to be that if you hunted a wolf and turned in a paw [...]

1 01, 2020

Day Hill Hiking Trail
Day Hill Hiking Trail

Day Hill Hiking Trail

Martha Finley2021-02-25T22:32:12+00:00Activities & Attractions, Two Harbors/Castle Danger|

Located within the Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, the Day Hill Hiking Trail is a short, but steep hike that ends with amazing views of the surrounding area. It is one of the many trails located within this state park, but is often referred to as the best as it's easy enough for intermediate hikers, but not too easy for those who enjoy something challenging. Once you reach the top you’ll be rewarded with not only the amazing views but also with an interesting piece of history. The Day Hill Hiking trail itself spurs from the parking lot and takes [...]

1 01, 2020

Sugarloaf Cove
Sugarloaf Cove

Sugarloaf Cove

Martha Finley2021-08-05T17:21:35+00:00Activities & Attractions, Beaches, Schroeder/Tofte|

Looking for a relatively short and easy hike filled with amazing views and breathtaking nature, or just a quiet spot to relax near Lake Superior? Sugarloaf Cove is the perfect spot for you! It has a trail that winds through all different sorts of terrain, and a rocky shore that overlooks the majestic Lake Superior. The Cove sits on 34 acres with a trail that stretches over a mile. The trail passes through pine forests, an alder thicket, a scenic overlook, rocky cliffs, and all the way down to the rocky shore. Don’t be afraid to stop for a minute on one [...]