NSRR Activities

2024 ANARC NORTH STAR ROVER RALLY OFF-SITE ACTIVITIES & ATTRACTIONS

Early settlers came to Northern Minnesota to mine iron ore on what’s called the Iron Range, first underground and later in massive open pit mines. The ore is shipped by rail to ports on Lake Superior where it is loaded onto 1000’ long ore “Laker” boats which take the ore to blast furnaces on the lower lakes.  In early August the weather is generally quite pleasant and the bugs are not much of an issue. Nights can be cool so bring a sweatshirt to sit around the fire.

A geographic feature you will notice is the huge piles of “overburden”-material removed from the mines to reach the iron ore. Commonly referred to a “Dumps.” The Gilbert offroad park is perched on one.  [photo]

Here are some ideas for things to do before, during, or after the rally. Several of these attractions explore the mining and cultural heritage of the region. These tours are self guided except as noted.
Hint: Hit Control and click on a blue hyperlink to open it.

Somewhat by distance from Gilbert:

• Mesabi Bike Trail-an easy, paved trail running across the Range. The trail runs right thru Gilbert
• The Whistling Bird restaurant in Gilbert-authentic Caribbean food. Really.
• Lake Ore-Be-Gone in Gilbert
  • Fishing dock
  • Swimming beach
  • Scuba attractions
• Giant’s Ridge Recreational Area-spas, golfing, lift served mountain biking, lodging, food
• US Hockey Hall of Fame. Northern Minnesota has long been a hockey stronghold
• Tower-Soudan State Park Underground Mine-go down 2,341 ft into an underground mine. Reservations required. Spectacular!
• Hibbing & Chisholm area (all these attractions are within a 5 mile radius, all about 30 miles from Gilbert.)
  • Minnesota Discovery Center-museum/interpretive center exploring the cultural and mining history of the Iron Range. Mountain biking trails too.
  • Minnesota Museum of Mining-traditional museum with mining artifacts and cool old iron mining equipment to play on.
  • Greyhound Bus Museum-birthplace of the bus line. Several historic buses from various eras can be seen  [photo]
  • The town that moved-a rich deposit of iron ore was discovered directly under the main part of Hibbing in the early days, and the town was moved to the present location. See old foundations, etc.
  • Hull Rust Mine View-observation platform high above the world’s largest open pit iron mine, and includes huge mining equipment to climb on. This active mine is really big!  [photo-same one for dumps?]
  • Bob Dylan’s childhood home- 2425 7th Ave E, Hibbing, MN 55746  you can drive by
  • Historic Hibbing High School tour. A spectacular 100 year old school on the National Historic Register-by arrangement (gratuity appreciated). Sign up [photo]
  • The Stand-drive in restaurant in Chisholm (with car hops!)
• Take a look at www.ironrange.org for tons more information
• North Shore of Lake Superior-spectacular scenery as you drive on Highway 61 (yup, the one Bob Dylan wrote about.) Views of Lake Superior from the high, rocky shore. Many state parks and waterfalls, as well as a few interesting towns such as Grand Marais. If you are coming from the East, interesting tours could be:
  • Drive north thru lower Michigan, cross the Mackinaw Bridge, and turn west thru the Upper Peninsula (the UP) to Duluth and on to Gilbert. Buy pasties for trail lunches; heat them up on your exhaust manifold!
  • Drive north thru lower Michigan, cross the Mackinaw Bridge, and turn NE to Sault Ste. Marie (the Soo), and cross into Canada to drive the entire North Shore to Gilbert. See ore boats “lock thru” at the Soo Locks.
  • Drive north in Michigan to Ludington, MI and take the “Badger” car ferry across Lake Michigan to Manitowoc, WI and proceed to Gilbert from there.
  • For those coming from the NE, cross into Canada near Buffalo and go over the tops of Lake Huron and Superior.

*These tours avoid driving thru Chicago

• A few interesting attractions on the North Shore:
  • North House Folk School in Grand Marais
  • Split Rock Light House-easy to reach from Hwy 61, it’s one of the most photographed light houses in the country
  • Several MN state parks, waterfalls, and cascading rivers
• Lakes and fishing-Northern Minnesota is dotted with beautiful lakes and there are opportunities to hire a guide, rent a fishing boat, or spend time on a rented houseboat. Bring a canoe or kayak, and your fishing rod. Nearby Lake Vermillion with its 365 islands is a gem.
  You are likely to hear loons calling and perhaps trumpeter swans on Lake Ore-Be-Gone.
• Ely (ee-lee) is the gateway to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), home of famous polar explorers such as Will Steger, and hosts:
  • Canoe guides and outfitters
  • International Wolf Center
  • North American Bear Center
  • Ely Folk School
  • Boat House Brew Pub
• Duluth-the western end of Lake Superior dominated by the iron ore shipping industry and an enjoyable tourist destination. A few highlights:
  • Glensheen Mansion-39 room mansion on 12 acres on the Lake
  • Arial Lift Bridge and Ship Canal. Watch 1000’ ore boats going past
  • Harbor and Lake tours on the Vista line
  • Canal Park tourist region*
  • The William A. Irvin ore boat open for tours.
  • Park Point-the world’s longest sandbar, more than 5 miles long with beaches and hiking among towering pines. Watch out for poison ivy!
  • Superior Hiking Trail-Duluth to Canada along the North Shore
  • Check out VisitDuluth.com and perfectduluthday for more information
    *Note that Duluth hotels fill up early
• Sax-Zim Bog for world class birding in Meadowlands, MN
• Headwaters of the Mississippi River in Itasca State Park
• There are two National Parks in the region:
  • Isle Royale NP
  • Voyageurs NP

NOTES:

• Add either a photo page or thumbnails where appropriate
• Maybe someone can help create a sketch map for (some of) these attractions(?)