U.S. Bike Route 41 - North Star Bike Route
The Gitchi-Gami State
Trail is a featured segment of U.S. Bicycle Route 41 (USBR 41), also known as the North Star Bicycle Route — a nationally designated route that connects St. Paul, Minnesota to the Canadian border.
The North Star Bike Route links existing roads and trails across Minnesota. Along the North Shore of Lake Superior, long stretches of USBR 41 are carried directly on the Gitchi-Gami State Trail, making it a core part of the route’s Lake Superior experience.
By connecting Duluth, Grand Marais, and many welcoming North Shore communities, the Gitchi-Gami State Trail helps USBR 41 link state parks, national park sites, and the Superior National Forest. Together, these connected routes allow cyclists to experience Minnesota’s most iconic landscapes — and even travel by bike between Lake Superior and the Mississippi River.
Bike Packing
Take a simple bike packing trip along the North Shore via the Gitchi-Gami State Trail! There are hotels, resorts, and campgrounds along the way. Picnic at State Parks, or stop at a trailside restaurant. Be sure to visit our sponsors!
If you’re looking for a back-woods experience, take the Straddle and Paddle Bike Packing Route! It traverses the North Shore of Lake Superior, the Gitchi-Gami State Trail, and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Mountain Bike Trails
Mountain Bike Trails near the Gitchi-Gami State Trail:
- Lake CountyDemonstration Forest – groomed and ungroomed mountain bike and fat tire biking trails through the woods.
Lovin’ Lake County
- Split Rock Wilds – single track MTB trails inside Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. Rated difficult.
- Britton Peak, Jackpot, and Hill Climber MTB Trails – Single-track trails in the Lutsen-Tofte area managed by the Superior Cycling Association.
- Pincushion Mountain – Single Track MTB Trails near Grand Marais. Managed by the Superior Cycling Association.
Camping on the Gitchi-Gitchi State Trail
There are many opportunities for camping along the Gitchi-Gami State Trail! Discover municipal campgrounds, State Park campgrounds, and private camping options.
Municipal and State Park campgrounds are listed below. See Our Sponsors for more camping and lodging options.
Bike Repair Stations on the Gitchi-Gami State Trail
Gooseberry Falls State Park: Behind the Visitor’s Center- Split Rock Lighthouse State Park (at Trail Center between the parking lot and the bathrooms/picnic shelter building)
- Beaver Bay Wayside
- Iona’s Beach Scientific and Natural Area
- Temperance River State Park by the park office,
- Grand Marais – YMCA and Visit Cook County Visitor Center.
Restrooms (per Trail Segment)
Two Harbors:
- Flushing Bathrooms at the RJ Houle Visitors Center, near the trail start
Gooseberry to Silver Bay:
- Gooseberry Falls State Park:
- Lakeview Picnic Shelter: flushing toilets May 15-October 5. A vault toilet open year-round, both of these near the trailhead
- Joseph N. Alexander Visitors Center – Indoor flushing toilets are available year-round
- Twin Points/Iona’s Beach
- Two seasonal portapotties, one ADA, one smaller portapotty
- Split Rock Lighthouse State Park:
- Flushing toilets at Trail Center
- Vault toilet near the new trail spur/access to the Split Rock Wilds MTB system
- Beaver Bay Wayside:
- Flushing toilets, seasonal
Silver Bay:
- When the new multimodal trail center is built there will be restrooms, but not yet
Schroeder to Lutsen Segment:
- Schroeder – Cross River Wayside
- Seasonal vault toilets
- Temperance River State Park
- There is a trail spur that leads to the Park Office, as well as some vault toilets in the park.
- There is a trail spur that leads to the Park Office, as well as some vault toilets in the park.
- Tofte
- Seasonal vault toilets at the Tofte Town Park
Cut Face to Grand Marais Segment:
- Cut Face Creek State Wayside
- Vault toilets, seasonal
- Grand Marais
- City Hall building is completed, and public restrooms are available when the building is open.
- City Hall building is completed, and public restrooms are available when the building is open.