Take In The Beauty Of A Popular Midwest Lake On This Stunning Road Trip Route

The Midwest is blessed with a significant portion of the Great Lakes, all of which are a treasure trove of outdoor fun and recreation. However, as the largest of the Great Lakes, it is hard to beat the sheer number of incredible views, waterfalls, lighthouses, state parks, and national parks located in and around Lake Superior. Luckily, there is one way you can explore the entire lake and see all the sights for yourself — by driving the Lake Superior Circle Tour. This incredible road trip takes travelers all the way around the scenic lake offering breathtaking views across three U.S. states (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan) and the province of Ontario in Canada.

Covering a distance of 1,300 miles and taking from four days to two weeks to complete, this road trip is an excellent way to take in all the beautiful views of the world's largest freshwater lake while also providing a chance to get out and enjoy the outdoors with plenty of hiking, camping, and kayaking opportunities along the way. While you can start your Lake Superior Circle Tour drive at any point on the loop, if you plan on flying in, a good place to start is the small but scenic city of Duluth. This is because Duluth is not located right on the tour route but also has an international airport. From Duluth, you will then make your way all the way around the lake stopping and enjoying as many points of interest as you want along the way.

If you want to start your Lake Superior Circle Tour off with plenty of lovely hiking and camping opportunities, you can head north from Duluth along the North Shore Scenic Drive towards the border with Canada. This stretch will grant gorgeous views of the lake with the chance to get out and stretch your legs on the Superior Hiking Trail, which is one of the best backpacking and thru-hiking trails in the Midwest. You can also stop to hike, camp, or simply view the impressive waterfalls at Tettegouche, a state park that should be a national park according to Reddit.

From there, you can head up into Canada towards Thunder Bay where you will find plenty of great nature parks including the Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, which has fun bike trails and clifftop hikes with views of Superior as well as over 200 campsites. After simply taking in the clifftop views or climbing to the top of The Sleeping Giant, you can hop back in your car and drive to Canada's Pukaskwa National Park with its sandy beaches and picturesque shoreline. There are plenty of hiking trails and kayaking opportunities here as well as campgrounds where you can stay the night while you watch the sunset over the lake from one of the driftwood-strewn beaches.

Next, you'll follow the Lake Superior Circle Tour back down into the U.S. and cross into Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Here you can check out Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. Then, head over to Bayfield, Wisconsin for a chance to explore the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore by boat before making your way back to Duluth. If you have time, stop at Isle Royale — one of the best national parks for kayaking and paddleboarding.

While the Lake Superior Circle Tour can be done during any season, the best time for hiking and camping is probably in the autumn when the weather is slightly cooler and there are fewer insects and mosquitoes. However, summer is great for those who want warmer weather that will allow them to enjoy some of Lake Superior's beaches and crystal clear waters. Just make sure to add in some extra wiggle room into your itinerary to wait out any surprise summer storms. Spring is also a lovely time around Lake Superior for cooler weather and plenty of wildflowers and waterfalls on the trails. While it is also possible to drive the Lake Superior Circle Tour in winter, you will probably be cross-country skiing or snowshoeing instead of hiking at this time of year because the area surrounding the lake often gets a lot of snow.

Because Lake Superior is located in both the U.S. and Canada, driving the entire Lake Superior Circle Tour will require travelers to cross the border between the two countries twice. Because of this, you will need to bring your passport or a form of approved international ID. Furthermore, if you are traveling with pets, you will need to check the entrance requirements for your specific animal and have proof of any required vaccinations. You will likely also need to have both American and Canadian currency with you to pay for gas, food, and hotels or campsites.