VISITOR GUIDE
THE LAND HERE IS MAGNETIC.
Beneath our rolling hills and towering pines is a band of iron that binds our communities together as one. These communities are well known for their rich mining heritage and unique history, but dig a little deeper and you’ll quickly learn how our love for the outdoors has paved the path for some of the area’s most unique outdoor recreation opportunities.
World-class mountain biking, stellar snowmobiling, the best ATV trails in the central U.S. and beyond. The longest-paved cycling trail in the country. A ski resort with the best snow in Minnesota, and, oh, some great hiking, kayaking, golf, and skiing.
Each Range community has something special to offer and we hope you'll explore them all.
Hibbing
Chisholm
Buhl
Mountain Iron Virginia
Eveleth Gilbert Biwabik
Embarrass Hoyt Lakes Aurora
HIKING& KAYAKING
Our hiking options could take you on the Mesabi Trail across the state's tallest bridge, down into a former mine pit at Redhead Mountain Bike Park, on top of the mountain of Giants Ridge, or into the Superior National Forest.
Our Hiker's Guide can help you find the best ways for you to explore our unique landscape, and you can request one at ironrange.org.
Kayak or even scuba dive in the clear spring waters of abandoned mine pits that are hundreds of feet deep, or visit the small but scenic lakes that dot The Range, many with excellent campgrounds at their shores. West Two Rivers in Mountain Iron, Lake Ore-Be-Gone in Gilbert, Carey Lake in Hibbing, Ely Lake in Eveleth or Whitewater Lake in Hoyt Lakes are just a few of our favorite lakeside campgrounds you can explore.
MOUNTAIN BIKING REDHEAD
If you ride, bring your bikes to The Range because we have some trails for you! Redhead Mountain Bike Park in Chisholm is one of the newest and best systems in the country. If you love Cuyuna, make way for a new favorite. Redhead brings you more than 20 miles of purpose-built trails carved into the unique landscape created over a century by mining and reclamation. Rent bikes at 30 West Bike Shop
Meanwhile, at Giants Ridge in Biwabik, they spin the lift at the base of the mountain for their downhill gravity trails: ski resort riding in the Superior National Forest.
Smaller systems like Lookout Mountain bring variety to the whole experience, and don’t forget, Tioga Recreation Area in Cohasset and Hidden Valley in Ely are just a few miles away.
When winter comes, your riding options include Superior National Forest roads plus groomed trails at Redhead and Giants Ridge. Find information about year-round mountain biking in the region at RideTheRange.com
MESABI TRAIL
162 miles. 28 towns. The Mesabi Trail is one great route, and it crosses the Iron Range. Ride from Hibbing to Embarrass and beyond in either direction – you won’t be disappointed by the incredible paved trail, one of the longest in the U.S. Find lakes, scenic views, places to stay, shop and eat, and even attractions along the way. Ride or walk one mile or all of them. This one goes on your List. Request a free trail map at ironrange.org. Rent bikes at Mesabi Recreation and Bikes on Howard.
This is the Superior National Forest, and it's full of gravel roads, perfect for your backwoods riding adventure.
Find gravel biking at Giants Ridge Resort, too!
GRAVEL BIKING
Disc Golf is big on The Range, with courses in almost every town. We especially recommend Judson Course in Buhl and Giants Ridge for their scenery and design, but Hibbing’s course is worth checking out, too!
If you’re looking for world-class golf in a golf state like Minnesota, find it here. The courses at Giants Ridge, The Legend and The Quarry, are a golfer's dream: challenging, scenic and well-designed. Onsite lodging and dining make it easy to have a golfing vacation or long weekend here. The top-rated resort courses of Giants Ridge are complemented nicely by quality municipal courses in Hibbing, Eveleth, Virginia and Hoyt Lakes that offer a great value for any player.
Eshquaguma Country Club, Gilbert
• 9 holes, par 36 • 3200 yards
Eveleth Golf Course
• 9 holes, par 36 • 3162 yards
Hibbing Municipal Golf Course
• 9 holes, par 34 • 2657 yards
Hoyt Lakes Golf Course
• 9 holes, par 36 • 3253 yards
The Legend at Giants Ridge
• 18 holes, par 72 • 6930 yards
Mesaba Country Club, Hibbing
• 18 holes, par 72 • 6753 yards
The Quarry at Giants Ridge
• 18 holes, par 72 • 7201 yards
Virginia Golf Course
• 18 holes, par 71 • 6228 yards
Wilderness Golf Course at Fortune Bay
• 18 holes, par 72 • 7207 yards
GOLFING
You may know that the Range is home to the Iron Range Off Highway Vehicle Recreation Area in Gilbert, but did you know that our trail connections now cover hundreds of miles in Minnesota's most scenic areas? Request a free planning map at ironrange.org and use the RideCommand or Avenza app to ride!
Our trails have scenic overlooks, access to towns, plus trailside camping, dining and lodging.
We’ve also got dense woods, flowing rivers and placid lakes that make you feel far away from it all!
If you like to ride, bring your side-bysides and ATVs to The Range. We’ve got off-road motorcycle and jeep trails, too! Visit the Minnesota DNR website for trail system maps. Rent machines from Lossing’s Motor Sports in Babbit.
SKI OR SNOWSHOE
Many hiking trails are open for winter snowshoeing, and places like Giants Ridge and Minnesota Discovery Center offer guided snowshoe hikes all winter long! Get a snowshoe trail map at ironrange.org
Giants Ridge has the best snow, service and prices you'll find anywhere in the Midwest! If you ski, you need to try this 35-run mountain with a 500-foot elevation in the Superior National Forest.
We have nearly 300 km of nordic ski trails, groomed and waiting for you! From the immaculate Giants Ridge to the family-friendly Carey Lake and multiple spots in our national forest, there's a trail for you.
Rent snowshoes from Mesabi Recreation.
WINTER
SNOWMOBILE
Northern Minnesota’s Mesabi Iron Range makes a great hub to explore points east, west and north from sun-up to sundown. Well-groomed and well-signed, our 2,000+ miles of trails get you away from traffic and out into the woods where you don’t have to worry about crossing roads or driveways.
Winter isn't winter without ice! Find places to skate and slide outdoors at our many parks and rinks, or get inside for great curling and the Midwest's only ice bumper cars at Iron Trail Motors Event Center in Virginia
Naturally, all trails lead back to comfortable lodging, with bars and restaurants close at hand. Rentals and guided rides are also available from Lossing’s Motor Sports in Babbitt. Order regional trail maps and start your snowmobile vacation: ironrange.org.
LODGING
HOTEL/MOTEL
AmericInn by Wyndham
5480 Mountain Iron Dr, Virginia
218-741-7839
americinn.com
Chisholm Inn & Suites
501 Iron Drive, Chisholm 218-254-2000
877-255-3156
chisholminn.com
Comfort Inn & Suites
8570 Rock Ridge Dr Mountain Iron 218-741-7411
choicehotels.com/ comfort-inn
Country Inn of Hoyt Lakes
99 Kennedy Memorial Dr Hoyt Lakes 218-225-3555
866-444-3555
countryinnofhoytlakes.com
Eveleth Super 8
1080 Industrial Park Boulevard, Eveleth 218-744-1661
super8.com
Forest Garden Motel
413 South Main Street Aurora, 218-229-3676
800-718-2181
PET FRIENDLY
Call in advance
Hampton Inn
4225 Ninth Ave. W
Hibbing 218-262-0000
hamptoninn.com
Hibbing Inn & Suites 1411 40th Street E Hibbing 218-263-8982
hibbinginnandsuites.com
Koke’s Motel
714 Fayal Road, Eveleth 218-744-4500
800-892-5107
kokesmotel.com
Lakeshor Motor Inn 404 North Sixth Ave W Virginia 218-741-3360
800-569-8131
lakeshor.com
Pine View Inn
903 North 17th Street, Virginia 218-741-8918
866-263-0535
pineviewinnmotel.com
Quality Inn I502 Chestnut Street, Virginia 218-749-1000 800-777-4699 choicehotels.com
Red Rock Hotel & Suites, 1402 East Howard St., Hibbing 218-231-3500
Trails Edge Lodging 200 E Dakota Avenue, Gilbert 218-410-0692 trailsedgelodging.com
VACATION HOMES
Cottonwood Koti
Fresh and modern in downtown Biwabik near trails and Giants Ridge. Find on VRBO and AirBNB
Stoyke Family Getaway In the heart of Hibbing. Sleeps 8. Find listing on VRBO
Netta Marie Woods
Cute and comfy in Chisholm. Close to Mesabi Trail, Redhead and more. nettamariewoods. wordpress.com
The Yurt
Close to the Sax-Zim Bog just south of Hibbing. Unique and secluded! Find it on VRBO and AirBNB
RESORTS
The Lodge at Giants Ridge® 6373 Wynne Creek Drive Biwabik 218-865-7170
877-442-6877 lodgeatgiantsridge.com
Villas at Giants Ridge® 6266 Giants Ridge Rd. Biwabik 218-865-4155
800-843-7434
villasatgiantsridge.com
GUEST COTTAGE
Early Frost Farm Studio
A working farm in Embarrass, close to the Mesabi Trail. Find on AirBNB
Green Gate Guest Houses
Many offerings including restored barn, farmhouse cabin and modern condos
5748 County Road 138, Biwabik 218-290-2607 greengateguesthouses.com
Misty Shoals Haven
Secluded lake cottage for 2-4.
Veteran owned. Find listing on AirBNB or mistyshoals.wixsite.com
Mitchell Tappan Carriage House
2125 Fourth Avenue East, Hibbing 218-262-3862 mitchelltappanhouse.com
CAMPGROUNDS
Fisherman’s Point Campground
5401 Campground Road, Hoyt Lakes 218-225-3337
Heritage Park & Campground 4789 Salo Road, Embarrass 218-984-2084
Iron Trail RV Park and Campground 115 6th Ave SW, Chisholm, MN 55719 800-711-7789
Sherwood Forest Campground 101 Wisconsin Avenue East, Gilbert 800-403-1803
Vermilion Trail Campground 6038 State Highway 135, Biwabik 218-865-6705
Veterans Park Campground 4392 Miller Trunk Road, Eveleth 218-744-7444
West Forty RV Park Fire #245 Highway 37, Gilbert 218-749-2821
West Two Rivers Campground 4988 Campground Road, Mt. Iron 218-748-7570
HIBBING
Visit Hibbing, a town rich in history and home to Hull Rust Mine View, the best place to see active iron mining. It's open daily, May-September, with volunteer staff onsite.
Tours of Hibbing High School will leave you awestruck. Call 218-749-8161 to arrange a guided tour. Great for groups!
After visiting the Hull Rust Mine View, stop by the Hibbing Historical Society Museum, where you'll learn how that massive mine forced folks to pick up and move their whole town. And that's just the start of what you'll find!
CITIES OF THE RANGE
HISTORY
Bus travel from city to city was invented right here in Hibbing. See the bus that started it all and led to the formation of Greyhound Bus Lines at this quirky museum, open May-September.
Just across the street from the Bus Museum and the Mesabi Trail is Bennett Park, a great place to play, picnic, and on hot days, cool off on the splash pad. Hibbing's inclusive playground at Greenhaven Elementary welcomes all abilities, and the Paulucci Space Theatre offers affordable weekly shows in Minnesota's largest dome planetarium.
Great places to eat include Boomtown Brewery, Palmer’s Tavern, Sammy’s Pizza, Bach Yen, Sportsmen’s Restaurant, El Charro and La Tequila. Shop Bender’s, Blueberry Fields, the Senior and Tourist Center, Johnson’s Floral and The Silver Birch.
Legendary singer and songwriter Bob Dylan was raised in Hibbing in a stucco house across from the HIbbing High School. The current homeowner doesn't mind cameras and will even give tours from time to time - you'll know when by the sign posted out front. If you love Dylan artifacts - and who doesn't - see more of them at the Hibbing Public Library. Finally, pause outside the Hibbing High School at the monument commemorating Dylan's Nobel Prize in Literature.
AREA ATTRACTIONS
In Chisholm, tour a replica underground mine and climb on mining equipment at the entertaining and educational Minnesota Museum of Mining. Be sure to stop at the Veterans' Memorial just outside of Minnesota Discovery Center, and drive or take a short walk on the Mesabi Trail to the historic Bruce Mine Headframe, a remnant of underground mining in the area and the last mining headframe on the Mesabi Iron Range.
CHISHOLM
Grab a bite at Valentini’s Supper Club, Black Bear Bakery, Jim’s Sports Bar, Nette’s (seasonal) and shop Casey Drug and the Minnesota Discovery Center gift store.
Situated on 600 acres in Chisholm, Minnesota Discovery Center is the museum of the Iron Range, with indoor and outdoor exhibits, a vintage trolley ride to a mining ghost town, a full calendar of events and activities like concerts, “Bands, Brews and BBQ,’ Family Discovery Days and more. Plus great views, to boot!
BUHL - MT. IRON
With a cute little rustic campground overlooking Stubler Lake, Buhl is a great place to stop along the Mesabi Trail for an affordable night’s stay. There's also a highly rated disc golf course here.
Mountain Iron, where ore was first discovered on the Mesabi Iron Range, is home to West Two Rivers Recreation Area with a campground, beach, fishing piers, boat launch and more.
In old Mountain. Iron, Locomotive Park sits alongside the Mesabi Trail and is an open-air museum with panels describing the mining process, a view of the state's largest mining operation, U.S. Steel Minnesota Ore Operations - Minntac, and mining equipment. There's even a picnic area.
Stop at BG’s Bar and Grill, The Sawmill Saloon, Adventures or Other Guys Burgers for a bite!
Welcome to Eveleth, also known as Hockeytown, and home of the US Hockey Hall of Fame Museum and the world's largest hockey stick and puck in Hockey Plaza. Hockey fans and history buffs will appreciate learning about the sport's history and the men and women who have made it great.
Near downtown Eveleth, the Leonidas Overlook has panoramic views stretching to the horizon. See active and historic mining, the Superior National Forest and surrounding communities. South of Eveleth you'll find the site of the U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone Memorial, a site marking the plane crash that killed Wellstone and seven others onboard.
Shop at Jon’s Drug, and visit BoomTown Woodfire Grill, The Rink or Snickers Pizza to dine.
Once a famous lumber town, Virginia is part of a regional retail hub and site of the state's tallest bridge. Visit Kunnari's Kitchen and Farm Market, The Sugar Shack, 5&Go and more for a bite, and the state's oldest confectioner, Canelake's Candies, is a must-visit! Irma's Finland House, Shoes-n-Things, and the Lyric Art gallery are super shopping stops.
Located near Bailey's Lake in Virginia and one block from Chestnut Street, the Iron Range Veteran's Memorial is a must-stop for those wishing to honor our nation's heroes.
VIRGINIA
HISTORICAL STOPS IN THE QUEEN CITY
Olcott Park, with its magical fountain featuring colored lights, not to mention trails, picnic area, playground and disc golf - and the Olcott Park Greenhouse and Botanical Garden are delightful restored-relics of the city's grand past. Finally, the Virginia Heritage Museum at the park is a great way to learn about the area's logging history.
Greens on Foreteenth is an ADA accessible 18-hole mini-golf course that features a standout rock waterfall that is over 10-feet tall!
A little down the road is the Virginia Mural Project; a great way to experience Virginia through the years.
View Rouchleau Mine from the Finntown Overlook to the north of Chestnut Street or Bridgeview Park to the south. Both locations are on the paved Mesabi Trail.
GILBERT
Home of the Iron Range Off Highway Vehicle Recreation Area, Gilbert is also a great place to get hand-cut, hand-processed meats. Koshar’s Sausage Kitchen is an institution on Gilbert’s main street. While you’re in Gilbert, visit Old Village Antiques, and have a meal at The Whistling Bird or Wandering Pines (hint: try a porketta sandwich).
The East end of the Mesabi Iron Range is home to some awesome recreation, including Giants Ridge in Biwabik, and their attractions range from historic to quirky to fun. Have a look: Aurora's splash pad is a friendly space to cool off before or after exploring the area's trails. This cozy town is also the starting point for the Superior National Forest Scenic Byway, a serene route that connects the Range to the North Shore.
Check out the historic Longyear Drill Site. This was the first iron ore exploration site to use a diamond-tipped drill. Why diamond-tipped? It was the only substance hard enough to bore through the hard rock of the region. This site is on the National Register of Historic Places.
AURORA HOYT LAKES BIWABIK
In the Bavarian-themed city of Biwabik, Honk the Moose offers a great selfie opp. This famed moose made his way into Biwabik and into an award-winning children's book.
Another stop, just outside Hoyt Lakes, is Skibo Vista. You'll see vistas more than 30 miles away, above the Superior National Forest.
Shop at Pine Grove Gallery in Biwabik, and find great offerings at Vi’s Pizza, Biwabik Pizza Co., Neighbor’s BBQ, The Wacootah Grill (seasonal), Carlson Sausage and Pasty Kitchen, and The Burnt Onion In Aurora, The Hive, Copper Nickel, Rudy’s and Megan’s are great places to eat.
EMBARRASS
Embarrass is unique. It has three preserved homesteads with original buildings built by Finnish American pioneers. These sites are on the National Register of Historic Places. The Finnish Apostolic Lutheran Church is also on the National Register. The Nelimark Museum and Gift Shop In Embarrass is a place to hear Finnish spoken and taste Finnish breads. The Mesabi Trail, which crosses the 725-acre Darwin Meyers Wildlife Area, is a great route through Embarrass.
MEADOWLANDS
Home to the Sax-Zim Bog, a 300-square mile area that is one of the best-regarding birding areas in the world, Meadowlands is a tiny town that sees a lot of birding action. With a new and inviting welcome center, the Sax-Zim Bog offers birding adventures on a boardwalk trail, or by car in well-mapped routes. The Welcome Center is also a great place to see birds and even the much-photographed owls like the Snowy Owl, Great Gray Owl, Northern Hawk Owl, Sawhet Owl and bird species including the boreal chickadee, Canada Jay, Black-backed Woodpecker and many others. With naturalist-led outings, lectures and field trips, the Bog is a great place to explore nature.
Trailside Lounge & Grill in Meadowlands welcomes birders, as does the Wilbert Café in Cotton.
MARKHAM
The Eli Wirtanen Pioneer Farm is a serene farmstead with original buildings that captures the grit of Finnish farmers and pioneers. Their Fall Farm Fest is not to be missed.
NEARBY
Vince Shute Wildlife Center near Cook is a great way to see black bears up close and personal. Open seasonally from 4:00-8:00 p.m.
Soudan Underground Mine State Park is probably the best guided tour in the entire state. Go 3/4 of a mile underground just like the iron miners did from the 1890s to 1962. Make reservations on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website.
EVENTS
Some of our favorite events include:
January
Bog Field Trips
Borealis Art Guild Classes
February
Laskiainen
Polar Bear Days
March
Giants Ridge Slush Cup
April
Iron Range EarthFest
May
Hibbing Raceway opens
June
Blast from the Past Car Show Land of the Loon Arts and Craft Fair
July
Northern Lights Music Festival
Hibbing Jubilee Range FanCon
Thunder over Eveleth
August
Olcott Park Brewfest
Mines and Pines Revisited Hoyt Lakes Water Carnival
September
Honktoberfest
Food Truck Festival
October
The Pumpkin Trolley Pumpkin Fest
November Festival of Trees
Twilight Parade
December
Bringing Light to Chisholm Merry Tuba Christmas
Events abound on The Range! Check our calendar for updates, by scanning the QR code with your phone's or camera.
VENUES
GETTING HERE
We’re closer than you think. Fly HIB. Range Regional Airport has daily flights to/from MSP and welcomes charter and private planes. Car rentals are available here as well. RangeRegionalAirport.com
Public transportation available by Arrowhead Transit, the largest rural public transportation system in the state. Arrowheadtransit.com
Duluth, MN 64 miles . . . 1:12 drive time
Minneapolis, MN 196 miles . . .3:00 drive time
Chicago, IL 532 miles . .8:00 drive time
Des Moines, IA 438 miles . . 6:30 drive time
Winnipeg, MB 326 miles . .3:45 drive time Learn about our new-resident meet-ups, activities and much more. Find helpful information on our website, helloironrange.com and follow our socials: Facebook /MinnesotaIronRange and Insta @helloironrange
MOVING TO THE AREA?
Explore all the Iron Range has to offer.
Close to Off-Highway Vehicle State Recreation Area and Superior National Forest.
Well-appointed lakefront villa
MISTY SHOALS
Secluded lakefront cabin near Sax Zim Bog and the Iron Range is a soul retreat!
