Road Trip to Grand Marais, MN

Driving from Madison to Grand Marais before a trip in the Boundary Waters in Northern Minnesota!

I had the chance to camp in the Boundary Waters in Northern Minnesota last weekend, and while it was insanely beautiful up there (more posts on the camping itself to follow!), it also took a long drive to get there. Normally people don't like long drives, and I'm not an exception, but some drives offer some nice scenery and a chance to appreciate new areas of the country.

Northern Wisconsin and the shores of Lake Superior along the North Shore as you get into Minnesota offer some great views! It's not the easiest doing car photography (for most of these I was the passenger and when I wasn't, I had my copilot snap a few pics) and it was made harder by the rain that we experiences most of the way up. I don't think we did such a bad job though... Take a look at our drive from Madison, WI to Grand Marais, MN.

Starting off, my dad driving and my friend Joe in the front seat

As you get out of Madison, the farmland of Northern Wisconsin begins to take shape. This is a land of rolling hills and lots of farms. LOTS of farms...

Wisconsin farm on the countryside

Haybails on the hill

(Quick note: "Haybail was actually my first word! I pointed outside to the haybails in our backyard and said it slowly. Went straight for 2 syllables...)

Trains run along the road in places as you drive north.

Train moving a shipment

Larger scale operations and agricultural industry popped up here and there too.

On our way north we needed to stop to get something to eat, so we ended up stopping at Culver's. Culver's is a midwest (mostly Wisconsin) staple! It was founded in Wisconsin and has locations throughout the state.

Culver's!

They seriously have the best chicken tenders here!!

As we got to Superior, WI, Lake Superior came into view and we crossed the bridge into Duluth in the Minnesota side of the bay.

Crossing the bridge into Duluth

Leaving Wisconsin and entering Minnesota

Driving along the North Shore from Duluth to Grand Marais, Lake Superior could be seen at a bunch of scenic spots along the highway.

Boats near Duluth in Lake Superior

Lake Superior from the highway along the North Shore in Minnesota

After about 8-9 hours with the stops we made it Grand Marais. It was still about an hour drive from there to the outfitter that would take us into the Boundary Waters, but for a while or drive was done! Grand Marais is a really picturesque town on Lake Superior. We stopped at a local brewery to recharge.

Getting into Grand Marais

Seagull hanging out in Grand Marais

Voyageur Brewing Co in Grand Marais

Inside the brewing company

Fish tacos, wings and beer!

Beer sampler

After our stop we made our way deeper into the wilderness to Seagull Outfitters where we spend the night and began our Boundary Waters adventure!

Leaving Grand Marais