Places to Picnic on The Range

Bring a lunch and enjoy the view!

When traveling, eating in restaurants can be great but sometimes you just want things to happen at your own pace. That’s why picking up some sandwiches and sodas and finding a picnic table can be a relaxing way to experience the area. Here are a few of our favorite picnic spots on The Range.

Lunch with a Loon

Virginia’s Silver Lake Beach area is close to Natural Harvest Food Co-op (and great picnic pickins), and looks out over the lake where the city’s giant floating loon bobs in the background. Near the Mesabi Trail, a loop walking trail, and another great picnic place with a playground. Olcott Park, Silver Lake Beach picnic area is quiet but close to most everything.

Dine Among the Pines

Seven miles south of Hoyt Lakes, Norway Point on the St Louis River is accessed from the Superior National Forest Scenic Byway, a 62-mile drive between Hoyt Lakes in the west and Silver Bay in the east. Pack some bug spray and enjoy a beautiful view of the river from your vantage point in the Norway pines. Kayaking would be great here, and the fishing is also known to be productive! *vault toilet

Picnic and Play at Carey Lake

Carey Lake Recreation Area in Hibbing offers a beach, fishing pier, hiking trails and a picnic areas at different locations along the paved roadway and beach area. Boat ramp for small motorized and kayaks/canoes. About two miles west of Hibbing and accessible by bike trail, Carey Lake is a great place for kids and dogs to run and play. *biffies on site

Picnic with a mine view

Locomotive Park in Mountain Iron is right along the Mesabi Trail and offers a great view of Minntac’s Minnesota Ore Operations beyond a reclaimed mine pit lake. Large outdoor displays describe the mining process, and a steam locomotive is an interesting border of the park.

Discover this lake for the birds

Bird Lake is about five miles southeast of Hoyt Lakes on the Superior National Forest Scenic Byway. There is a moderately difficult loop hiking/cross-country ski trail  and a lovely picnic area on the north side of the Byway, and about 12 additional miles of trail on the south side of the Byway. Enjoy scenic views in a wilderness setting that’s not so far away from everything after all.

Find even more places to picnic and hike, canoe or kayak and just soak in the beauty of northern Minnesota by calling or emailing us! 218-749-8161 info@ironrange.org