Biwabik
Biwabik is the Bavarian-themed town that greets visitors to Giants Ridge Resort with two award-winning golf courses and acclaimed ski area, plus trails, lakes, lodging and dining. With the Mesabi Trail connecting the community to Giants Ridge and Vermilion Trail Campground on Embarrass Lake, this scenic city is a destination any time of year. Visit during the Fourth of July for the popular Calthumpian Parade, and come back the first Saturday in December for Weihnachtsfest, with fireworks, delightful music and food, and sledding.
HONK THE MOOSE IN BIWABIK, MN
Honk the Moose – The famous statue of a true storybook character, born right here on the Iron Range.
Get your picture taken with the children’s book character, “Honk,” in the Biwabik city park. You can’t miss him as you drive through the town’s main drag.
A Newberry runner-up in 1936, Honk the Moose is the based-on-real-life story about a moose who came to a small northern Minnesota town and the boys who befriended him.
Hoyt Lakes
The entry point for the Superior National Forest Scenic Byway, Hoyt Lakes is home to the lovely Fisherman’s Point campground and recreation area on Whitewater Lake, plus a beach on the adjacent Colby Lake. With hunter walking trails. ATV and snowmobile trails, fishing, and the fabulous Hoyt Lakes Water Carnival every year, the city is a fun place to be in any season! Take in sweeping views at Skibo Vista, and make plans for a motorcycle ride to Lake Superior on that Byway (Forest Highway 11). See the Iron Rangers junior league hockey team play while you’re there!
LONGYEAR DRILL SITE NEAR HOYT LAKES, MN
Longyear Drill Site – Hoyt Lakes’ revolutionary diamond drill.
Make a quick stop for a short nature hike to the first site of diamond drilling on the iron range. The diamond drill was invented by E.J. Longyear in the 1880s to bore through hard rock during mineral exploration.
E.J. Longyear directed the drilling of more than 7,000 test sites across the Iron Range.
Located three miles north of Hoyt Lakes on County Road 110. Visitor information booth in parking lot gives directions to drill site.
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. ATV trails connect Aurora to Biwabik and neighboring Hoyt Lakes, and offer a scenic wooded route to explore. Snowmobile trails lead from town to just about anywhere in the northeast part of the state; dedicated clubs take care of their trails! 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.
ST JAMES MINE LAKE IN AURORA
Access walking/snowshoe/cross country ski trails around Aurora’s St James mine lake any time of year! In summer, swing into one of the last remaining A&W Root Beer Drive-Ins on the main drag! For maps and info, visit the US Forest Service Laurentian Ranger District office.
White
White is a township between Biwabik and Aurora, and home to the annual Laskiainen, a Finnish sliding festival that draws families to the Loon Lake Community Center in early February for crafts, music, food, and of course, sliding!
