Scenic Tours

Touring northeastern Minnesota, either by car, motorcycle or even bicycle is spectacular any time of the year! There’s more to the Iron Range than our (admittedly amazing) foliage! Northern MN is home to some pretty unique attractions. Whether you want an educational, breathtaking, or exciting pit stop – there is something for everyone!

Don’t miss a trip on the Superior National Forest Scenic Byway. It leads from Aurora to the North Shore, and can be combined with a short jaunt on Hwy 61 from Beaver Bay to Illgen and then Hwy 1 up to Ely. Outside of Tower, get on Hwy 135 heading south to return to Aurora and the Iron Range. It’s a great day trip with plenty of stops along the way! You can request a free Byway map here.

Hoping to take advantage of the fall colors? Check the LEAF STATUS here.

Skibo Vista just outside of Hoyt Lakes offers great views of the Superior National Forest.

View our Guide

The Ride the Range guide offers detailed maps and highlights of these drives, and other Iron Range scenic tours as well. We’ll say it again: the Superior National Forest Scenic Byway is a great place to start. Head out from Aurora (after breakfast at The Hive or lunch at Rudy’s) and watch for moose, bear and other northern wildlife as you make your way to Silver Bay on the north shore of Lake Superior. This peaceful ride holds a few surprises, including Skibo Vista just outside of Hoyt Lakes and the Toimi School. Stop there for restrooms and a bit of Finnish culture.

More Scenic Drives

Scenic Tours

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Northern Lights Tour

Head out on this 155 mile trip by going east from Eveleth to Hoyt Lakes. There you’ll hop on the Superior National Forest Scenic Byway for a bit before heading north to Ely and back to the Iron Range. Bird Lake Recreation Area in Hoyt Lakes is a great place to hike, while the Soudan Underground Mine in Tower offers a truly unique tour deep under the earth’s surface.
Laurentian Divide Tour

Experience the Iron Range communities of Virginia, Eveleth, Gilbert, Biwabik, and Aurora, then head north to Tower and back again in a 70-mile loop. Visit the US Hockey Hall of Fame Museum in Eveleth (open Friday-Sunday). Hike the trails or picnic at the Laurentian Divide and Lookout, or at Giants Ridge Golf and Ski Resort. Lodging can be found at the Quality Inn and Suites in historic downtown Virginia or LakeShor Motor Inn on the paved Mesabi Trail.
Superior National Forest Scenic Byway Tour

Aurora, MN

Enjoy two of Minnesota’s most compelling landscapes, from the shores of Lake Superior to the rugged woods of the Iron Range. This 165-mile loop begins in Eveleth, just off of Hwy 53, and heads east, reaching the Big Lake in Silver Bay and Beaver Bay. Follow the coastline south to Two Harbors, then go north on Hwy 2 and reconnect with the Byway. Stop at Skibo Vista near Hoyt Lakes in the east. With backdrops like the Laurentian Divide, fall-color-seekers enjoy lovely autumn landscapes and scenery. For lodging, choose from Giants Ridge Recreation Area in Biwabik, Trails Edge Lodging in Gilbert, or the Eveleth Super 8.
Mines & Pines Tour

Wind your way from Hibbing through Chisholm, Buhl, Mountain Iron, and Virginia, then go north to Cook, east to McCarthy Beach State Park, and back to Hibbing on a 102-mile loop. The pine forests of the state park area are a beautiful site, and make sure to watch for wildlife! Along this route, visit Hull Rust Mineview in Hibbing, Minnesota Discovery Center in Chisholm, and the Big Aspen Recreation Area north of Virginia.

Take in a little history with your nature! At the Discovery Center, ride a trolley and learn more about the mining and related cultures. See period housing and equipment, plus an overlook of the mine! For lodging, Mitchell-Tappan House B&B in Hibbing makes a great place to stay, as do Chisholm Inn & Suites, Comfort Inn and Suites in Mountain Iron, or AmericInn Lodge & Suites of Virginia. Paved routes are ideal for highway-licensed motorcycles in northeastern Minnesota. Ride through designated MN scenic byways with miles of curvy, rolling hills. Make the Mesabi Iron Range your touring headquarters and check out the great loops that branch off from our central location in the Superior National Forest. There are many great day cruises from the Range, where we’ve got motorcycle-friendly hotels (ask for a free kickstand pad!), bike nights at local restaurants, and a whole lot of scenery and history. Request a Motorcycle Ride Guide. Local motorcycle dealers and parts shops include: Five Seasons Sports (Eveleth), Hog Doctors LLC in Buhl (218-258-2200), North Star Cycle in Virginia (218-749-3767) and Han’s Motorsports in Hibbing (218-263-6751).