Aurora

The friendly town of Aurora is just a hop, skip and jump from Giants Ridge. Stop for a bite at the cafe, restaurant or drive-in on main street. This is the gateway city to the Superior National Forest Scenic Byway, offering a serene wilderness drive all the way to Lake Superior.

Outdoor recreation abounds

ATV trails connect Aurora to Biwabik in the west and neighboring Hoyt Lakes east, and offer a scenic wooded route to explore with connecting routes that let you ride all day. Snowmobile trails lead from town to just about anywhere in the northeast part of the state; dedicated clubs take care of their trails!

A spur of the paved Mesabi Trail enters Aurora and connects to the St James Mine Pit trail. This is super scenic way to cycle or walk around a former mine pit now filled with water. In winter, the trail is groomed for cross country skiing.

Friendly community, fun events

Look for events at the Sportsmans Club, with rifle and archery ranges. Each year, enjoy Patriotic Days in July, and Pumpkinfest the second Saturday in October, with food, games, wagon rides and pumpkins for all.

Things to Do
Aurora

Snowshoeing in Minnesota: Iron Range Top Trails and Trips

If you love winter (or even just tolerate it) you need to bring your shoes to northern Minnesota’s Iron Range. This region is a great getaway for snowshoeing, with superb…

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Explore the Mesabi Trail – Your Guide to Biking The Iron Range

From the Mississippi River in the west to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in the east, the paved Mesabi Trail runs like a ribbon across the Iron Range. The…

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The Best Minnesota Snowmobiling: Trails, Maps, and Conditions

There’s no reason not to love the Mesabi snowmobile trails. Northern Minnesota’s Mesabi Iron Range makes a great hub to explore points east, west and north from sun-up to sundown. Well-groomed and signed, our trails get you away from traffic...

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ATVs explore wooded trails lined with fall color in northern Minnesota on the Iron Range

Discover the Best ATV and OHV Trails in Minnesota’s Iron Range

The Iron Range in northern Minnesota is a paradise for off-road enthusiasts, offering some of the best ATV and OHV trails in the state. From rocky climbs to muddy adventures,…

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Kayakers paddle across a mine pit lake in northern Minnesota.

Canoeing and Kayaking in Minnesota: Iron Range, A Paddler’s Paradise

Canoeing and kayaking on the Range usually means exploring small lakes with very little boat traffic and enjoying sun, birds, trees and fresh air. If you want real adventure, paddle across a mine lake and imagine the bottom of the pit, hundreds of feet below. These waters are clear and cool. You'll be able to see down a good distance. In fact, scuba divers love mine lakes !

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Cross Country Skiing

Serenity in the Superior National Forest You’ll find serenity on our trails and we promise to keep them well-groomed and ready for you! Our winters can be long and snowy,…

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Hunting

The Range is blessed with 320,000 acres of the Superior National Forest, three state forests, and 500 lakes, rivers and streams that provide hunters and sportsmen with a perfect habitat…

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Horseback Riding

Horseback riding on the Iron Range is arguably the best way to experience the natural scenic beauty that can be found along our many miles of horse trails. What could be better than breathing in the crisp fall air while riding a leafy path...

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Giants Ridge

Giants Ridge resort is a great place to stay if you love hiking, mountain biking, paved trail cycling, golf or disc golf. Learn more about this hidden gem of a destination.

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Superior National Forest Scenic Byway

Explore the serenity of this little-known route The Superior National Forest Scenic Byway is a 78-mile route that winds through the Superior National Forest, a three million-acre rugged landscape formed…

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Scenic Tours

Fall is a great time to see the spectacular Iron Range foliage. The best time to enjoy fall is mid-September to early October, but check with Minnesota’s Fall Color Finder. Here are some of our favorite autumn activities to add to your tour.

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