Minnesota road guide
The best motorcycle roads in Minnesota
The best motorcycle roads in Minnesota come in three kinds: the North Shore of Lake Superior and the Arrowhead roads inland, like the Gunflint Trail and MN 1; the southeast bluff country along the Mississippi, Root and Whitewater rivers; and the lake country roads around Itasca and the Chippewa National Forest. Here are 12 of them, with why each one is worth it, what to watch for and the best season.
- Roads listed
- 12
- Regions
- 4
- Best months
- June to early October
- Check before you go
- 511mn.org
Before you pick
How to use this list of the best motorcycle roads in Minnesota
Minnesota splits neatly by what you want. For corners, head southeast to bluff country, where the glaciers skipped the land and rivers cut deep valleys. For scenery and long, quiet miles, head northeast to Lake Superior and the Arrowhead forest. Lake country in the middle is the relaxed option, with cabins, pines and water at every turn.
From the Twin Cities, the St. Croix and the bluffs are day rides and the North Shore is a weekend. For timing, see the best time to ride in Minnesota, and for the regions, the Minnesota overview. Check 511mn.org for construction, which is a big part of every Minnesota summer.
The North Shore and the Arrowhead
Lake Superior and the Arrowhead
- 1. MN 61, the North ShoreWhy: US 61 ends in Duluth, and MN 61 carries on about 150 miles to the Canadian border at Grand Portage, past Split Rock Lighthouse, Gooseberry Falls, Tettegouche and Grand Marais, with Lake Superior beside you most of the way. Watch for: Fog off the lake, cars braking for waysides, and summer construction. Best season: June to early October.
- 2. North Shore Scenic DriveWhy: The old route between Duluth and Two Harbors, closer to the water and much quieter than the four-lane. A slow, easy start to a North Shore trip. Watch for: Cyclists, driveways and people stopping for the lake. Best season: June to early October.
- 3. The Gunflint TrailWhy: Leaves Grand Marais and heads up into the north woods for about 60 miles, past lakes, lodges and Boundary Waters entry points, ending near the Canadian border lakes. Out and back on a road that feels like the end of the world. Watch for: Moose, deer, logging trucks, and few services past Grand Marais. Best season: June to early October.
- 4. MN 1, Ely to the North ShoreWhy: Cuts through the Superior National Forest from Ely past Finland to meet MN 61 near Illgen City, with curves, hills and almost no traffic. Watch for: Broken pavement in spots, moose at dawn and dusk, logging trucks, and very few services between Ely and the shore. Best season: June to early October.
Southeast bluff country
The Mississippi, the St. Croix and bluff country
- 5. US 61, Great River RoadWhy: Follows the Mississippi through Red Wing, along Lake Pepin to Lake City, and on to Wabasha and Winona under tall bluffs. Make it a loop by crossing the river and coming back on WI 35 in Wisconsin. Watch for: Weekend traffic, trucks, and town speed limits. Best season: May to October.
- 6. MN 16, Historic Bluff CountryWhy: Runs through the Root River valley past Preston, Rushford and Houston, with Lanesboro a short hop off the route. Bluffs, curves and trail towns. Watch for: Horse-drawn buggies near Fillmore County's Amish farms, bicycles around the Root River Trail, and loose gravel where side roads meet the highway. Best season: May to October.
- 7. MN 74, Whitewater ValleyWhy: Runs through Whitewater State Park between St. Charles and Elba, dropping into a steep valley with tight bends. Short but one of the best curvy roads in the state. Watch for: Deer, wet patches under the trees and park traffic. Best season: May to October.
- 8. MN 95, St. Croix Scenic BywayWhy: Follows the St. Croix north from Stillwater through Marine on St. Croix to Taylors Falls and Interstate State Park. An easy half day from the Twin Cities. Watch for: Summer weekend crowds and tight parking in Stillwater and Taylors Falls. Best season: May to October.
- 9. Minnesota River Valley Scenic BywayWhy: Follows the Minnesota River southwest of the Twin Cities through towns like Henderson, New Ulm and Granite Falls, with wooded bluffs and prairie. Watch for: Farm equipment, spring flooding on low roads and deer. Best season: May to October.
Lake country and the Twin Cities
Lake country, the headwaters and the Grand Rounds
- 10. MN 38, Edge of the WildernessWhy: Heads out of Grand Rapids into the Chippewa National Forest on a winding two-lane past lakes and bogs, ending near Effie. Watch for: Deer, logging trucks and cabin traffic on summer weekends. Best season: June to early October.
- 11. MN 34 and ItascaWhy: MN 34 links Park Rapids and Detroit Lakes through lake country, and Itasca State Park nearby has the Mississippi headwaters, where you can walk across the river. Watch for: Boat trailers and cabin traffic, especially on summer Fridays and Sundays. Best season: June to September.
- 12. The Grand Rounds, MinneapolisWhy: A loop of parkways through Minneapolis past the chain of lakes, Minnehaha Falls and the Mississippi. A perfect evening cruise without leaving the city. Watch for: Low speed limits, cyclists and people on foot. Best season: May to October.
Summary
Minnesota motorcycle roads at a glance
| Road | Region | Best season |
|---|---|---|
| MN 61, the North Shore | North Shore | Jun to early Oct |
| North Shore Scenic Drive | North Shore | Jun to early Oct |
| Gunflint Trail | Arrowhead | Jun to early Oct |
| MN 1, Ely to the North Shore | Arrowhead | Jun to early Oct |
| US 61, Great River Road | Southeast | May to Oct |
| MN 16, Bluff Country | Southeast | May to Oct |
| MN 74, Whitewater Valley | Southeast | May to Oct |
| MN 95, St. Croix | East metro | May to Oct |
| Minnesota River Valley | Southwest | May to Oct |
| MN 38, Edge of the Wilderness | Lake country | Jun to early Oct |
| MN 34 and Itasca | Lake country | Jun to Sep |
| Grand Rounds | Minneapolis | May to Oct |
Make them count
Add Minnesota roads to Rippin'
Most of these roads aren't in Rippin' yet, so the first rider to add one gets their name on it. Ride it with Rippin' recording, open Segments and tap Create a Segment: drop a start gate and a finish gate and trace the line. A person on our team checks it before it goes live. Read more on segments and leaderboards and how roads get added.
A segment board is about who owns the road and who rides it, not a race. Rippin' never rewards speed on public roads.
Loops claim turf. Ride US 61 down the Minnesota side of Lake Pepin and come back up WI 35 on the Wisconsin side, and the lake and bluffs inside become your turf on the live map. Plan it with the loop builder. Roads riders have already added in Minnesota are listed below.
Live from the app
Minnesota on Rippin' right now.
5 upcoming events and 0 rider-added roads in Minnesota on the map today. This list updates whenever the site is rebuilt; the app always has the latest.
- Sat Nov 21Twin Cities Harley-Davidson Blaine Annual Chili Cook-OffBlaine
- Sat Nov 28Ride Into The HolidaysSaint Paul
- Sat Apr 3Donnie Smith Bike Show & Swap Meet 2027 (38th Annual)Saint Paul
- Sat May 1Dirty Rotten Bikerfest 2027Princeton
- Sun Jun 6Blessing of the Bikes Forest Lake 2027Forest Lake
No Minnesota roads are in the app yet. Add the one you love from Segments and a person on our team checks it before it goes live. How roads get added.
FAQ
Questions riders ask.
What is the best motorcycle road in Minnesota?
MN 61 along the North Shore is the best known. For curves, MN 74 through the Whitewater Valley and the bluff country roads around MN 16 are the pick.
Where are the curvy roads in Minnesota?
Mostly in the southeast bluff country, along the Mississippi, Root and Whitewater rivers. Up north, MN 1 and the Gunflint Trail have curves too, but the draw there is the scenery.
What are good motorcycle rides near the Twin Cities?
MN 95 along the St. Croix, US 61 to Red Wing and Lake Pepin, and the Grand Rounds for an evening in the city. The Whitewater Valley is a longer day.
How long does it take to ride the North Shore?
From Duluth to Grand Portage is roughly 150 miles of MN 61. With stops at the parks and Grand Marais, most riders make a day of it each way, or a weekend with the Gunflint Trail.
Are there moose on Minnesota roads?
In the Arrowhead, yes, on roads like MN 1 and the Gunflint Trail, especially at dawn and dusk. Slow down and watch the ditches.
Can I add these Minnesota roads to Rippin'?
Yes. Any rider can add a road with Create a Segment. Someone on the Rippin' team reviews it before it goes live, and it keeps your name.
Put a Minnesota road on the map.
Download Rippin' free, ride one of these with it recording, and add it as a segment. Your name stays on it.
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