We will be coming back from the nat'l rally through Michigan, then Minnesota. Have most of Michigan figured out. Last stop planned so far in MI is Porcupine Mountains State Park. Figure I will start heading west towards Duluth...
I need advice on which way and what to do in Minnesota as we head back to Denver. Any ideas?
You've covered many of the great places to see in MI. You'll enjoy your visit I'm sure. If you find time in your agenda while heading from Pictured Rocks to the Porkies, Bond Falls near Paulding is a beautiful cascading falls that would make a great "stretch your legs" stopover. There is a parking lot that is not usually too full.
We've made a trip twice across the UP and through MN to Fargo headed to the Black Hills. We took the same route both times. We are more the "nature loving" types and not too much into big cities and shopping, so we loved the northern route without interstates since we are never in a hurry. We ran US-2 out of Duluth up to hwy 200. In Hill City we stayed at the city park and campground right on the lake. It was quiet and comfortable for an overnight stay. They don't have FHU though and no dump station. There is another campground just south of town also. If you like to boondock, a bit further down the road is Mable Lake which is a USFS campground with no facilities, but a pristine little lake to enjoy. It's 8 miles west of Remer, MN.
hwy 200 connects with 371 up to Walker where hwy 34 takes you back south. There is a cutover route that you can take also just south of Walker (Ah-gwah-ching rd). There is another great city campground in the town of Ackley. They have 30A/water at sites and a dump station. Also right on the lake. hwy 34 takes you west to Detroit Lakes where you pick up US-10 that runs you to Fargo.
We have run across south MN also, but we like the northern route better. Can't say much about places to stop for sightseeing, but the whole route is pretty picturesque to us. You can't beat all the great mom and pop places to eat when you get off the big road either. Heck then you can jump on I-29 south and jump off for a stop at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD if you want!
Hope this gives ya something to chew on and safe travels!