The Grand National Golf Club, part of the casino complex,
was designed by golf architect Joel Goldstrand. Fifteen
miles east of Hinckley is the turn-off to St. Croix State
Park. Minnesota’s largest state park, it has miles of St.
Croix River shoreline, canoe rentals and extensive hiking
and mountain biking trails.
There are three other state parks to visit along this
route. North of Sandstone near Askov, the Kettle River
rapids tumble through Banning State Park, making this a
favorite spot for adventurous kayakers. Also at Sandstone is
the Midwest Country Music Theater, with performances
in a 300-seat theater downtown. At Moose Lake State
Park, the Agate and Geological Center has displays on
Minnesota’s rocks and minerals. The Moose Lake Depot
Museum has exhibits on both agates and the forest fires
of 1918. The 9-mile Rushing Rapids Scenic Byway runs
through beautiful Jay Cook State Park, near Carlton. The
St. Louis River leaps through a rocky gorge, and there are
miles of hiking trails in the park. Whitewater rafting trips
shoot the river’s rapids, and the Willard Munger Bike Trail
begins a scenic descent into Duluth from here. Carlton is
also home to the Black Bear Casino and Black Bear Golf
Course. A peaceful alternate to I- 35 is the 50-mile
Veterans Evergreen Memorial Scenic Byway, following
Highway 23 from the Askov exit north to Duluth.
North Shore of Lake Superior
The largest city in northeastern Minnesota, Duluth
(pop. 86,000) is a bustling inland seaport at the end of the
Great Lakes shipping route. With its Lake Superior and
harbor views and an incredible array of things to see and do,
Duluth is a popular destination. There are a large number of
hotels, motels and charming inns, but Duluth often fills
up, so reservations are recommended. The nearby
community of Cloquet also has several motels.
