Stephen MinnesotaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Stephen, Minnesota.
1. Old Mill State Park
HISTORIC MILL AND NATURE
Old Mill State Park offers visitors a glimpse into Minnesota's agricultural past with its restored 1880s flour mill and beautiful natural surroundings. Visitors can explore hiking trails through woodlands and prairie landscapes while enjoying opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife observation. The park also features picnic areas, camping facilities, and seasonal interpretive programs that highlight the region's natural and cultural history.
2. Lake Bronson State Park
RECREATIONAL LAKE PARADISE
Lake Bronson State Park centers around a 300-acre reservoir created in the 1930s, offering excellent fishing, swimming, and boating opportunities. The park features hiking trails, camping sites, picnic areas, and a historic WPA water tower observation deck with panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Visitors can enjoy diverse recreational activities year-round, including winter sports like cross-country skiing and snowmobiling when conditions permit.
3. Revelation Ale Works
CRAFT BREWERY EXPERIENCE
Revelation Ale Works is a craft brewery offering visitors a selection of unique, locally-brewed beers in a welcoming taproom environment. The brewery prides itself on creating distinctive flavors that represent the character of northern Minnesota, with seasonal specialties alongside year-round favorites. Visitors can enjoy brewery tours, tasting flights, and special events while experiencing the growing craft beer culture of rural Minnesota.
4. Saint Stanislaus Church
HISTORIC RELIGIOUS ARCHITECTURE
Saint Stanislaus Church stands as a beautiful example of historic religious architecture in the heart of Stephen, Minnesota. The church features impressive stained glass windows, traditional craftsmanship, and serves as an important cultural landmark for the community. Visitors can appreciate both the architectural details and the spiritual significance of this longstanding place of worship.
5. Flood Memorial Monument
HISTORICAL COMMUNITY TRIBUTE
The Flood Memorial Monument commemorates the significant floods that have shaped the history and resilience of Stephen, Minnesota. This thoughtful memorial serves as both a historical marker and a testament to the community's ability to overcome natural disasters. Visitors can learn about local history while reflecting on the powerful impact of natural forces on small rural communities.
6. Stephen Riverside Golf Club
SCENIC NINE-HOLE COURSE
Stephen Riverside Golf Club offers golfers a USGA certified nine-hole municipal course located at the western edge of town. The par 35 course provides an enjoyable golfing experience with well-maintained greens and fairways alongside scenic views of the surrounding landscape. Golfers of all skill levels can appreciate this member of the Minnesota Golf Association for its accessibility and the natural beauty of its riverside setting.
7. Gooseberry Falls State Park
DRAMATIC WATERFALL WONDERLAND
Gooseberry Falls State Park showcases a series of magnificent waterfalls cascading over ancient volcanic rock formations, creating one of Minnesota's most photogenic natural attractions. The park features more than 20 miles of hiking trails that wind through diverse landscapes, connecting the falls, Lake Superior shoreline, and surrounding forests. Visitors can enjoy year-round recreation opportunities, with the falls offering different but equally stunning experiences across all four seasons.
8. Split Rock Lighthouse State Park
ICONIC LAKESIDE BEACON
Split Rock Lighthouse State Park features a historic lighthouse perched dramatically on a 130-foot cliff overlooking Lake Superior, guiding ships safely since 1910. The beautifully preserved lighthouse and keeper's residence offer tours that highlight maritime history and the challenges faced by early keepers in this remote location. Surrounding the lighthouse are hiking trails with spectacular overlooks, pebble beaches, and camping opportunities that showcase some of the North Shore's most breathtaking scenery.
9. Lutsen Mountains
YEAR-ROUND MOUNTAIN RESORT
Lutsen Mountains offers Minnesota's largest ski resort in winter, with 95 runs spread across four mountains and breathtaking views of Lake Superior. During summer and fall, the resort transforms into an outdoor adventure center featuring alpine slides, a scenic gondola, mountain biking trails, and hiking opportunities. The year-round destination also hosts festivals, concerts, and provides access to the Superior Hiking Trail, making it a premier recreation spot in any season.
10. Grand Marais Harbor
PICTURESQUE COASTAL VILLAGE
Grand Marais Harbor offers a quintessential North Shore experience with its charming lighthouse pier, protected bay, and vibrant waterfront district. Visitors can watch fishing boats come and go, explore the shoreline, or simply enjoy the peaceful ambiance of this working harbor set against the vastness of Lake Superior. The harbor area serves as the heart of this artistic community, surrounded by galleries, restaurants, and shops that capture the unique character of this beloved coastal village.
11. Gunflint Trail
WILDERNESS ADVENTURE ROUTE
The Gunflint Trail is a scenic byway stretching 57 miles from Grand Marais into the heart of Minnesota's Boundary Waters wilderness region, offering access to pristine lakes, forests, and wildlife viewing opportunities. Once a footpath used by indigenous peoples and fur traders, the paved road now serves as a gateway to outdoor adventures including canoeing, fishing, hiking, and wildlife observation. Along the route, visitors will find historic lodges, outfitters, and interpretive sites that tell the story of this remarkable landscape and the people who have traversed it throughout history.
12. Canal Park's Lakewalk
SCENIC WATERFRONT PROMENADE
Canal Park's Lakewalk is a picturesque boardwalk and paved trail system extending along the Lake Superior shoreline in Duluth, offering spectacular views of the harbor, lift bridge, and vast waters beyond. Visitors can watch massive cargo ships enter and exit the harbor, explore beaches, gardens, and historical markers along the route, or simply enjoy the refreshing lake breezes. The Lakewalk connects to numerous attractions, restaurants, and shops in Canal Park, making it both a recreational amenity and a central feature of Duluth's vibrant waterfront district.
13. Rustic Inn Cafe
LEGENDARY NORTH SHORE DINING
Rustic Inn Cafe has earned a reputation as a beloved North Shore dining destination, famous for its homemade pies and hearty comfort food served in a charming, rustic setting. Located just south of Gooseberry Falls State Park, it offers travelers a perfect stop for pre-hike fuel or post-adventure relaxation with menu items featuring local ingredients and traditional recipes. Visitors particularly praise the cafe's selection of freshly baked pies, which have become legendary among travelers exploring Minnesota's scenic Highway 61.
14. Rum River Central Regional Park
RIVERSIDE NATURE REFUGE
Rum River Central Regional Park offers visitors a peaceful natural setting along the banks of the Rum River, with hiking trails winding through diverse habitats including forests, prairies, and riverside environments. The park hosts guided nature programs, including specialized birding walks where participants can observe and learn about local and migratory bird species. Wildlife enthusiasts appreciate the park for its biodiversity, educational opportunities, and the tranquility of its well-preserved natural spaces.
15. Gitchi-Gami State Trail
LAKE SUPERIOR SHORELINE PATH
The Gitchi-Gami State Trail is a paved recreational pathway being developed along Minnesota's North Shore of Lake Superior, offering bicyclists, walkers, and runners spectacular views of the world's largest freshwater lake. The trail connects state parks, historic sites, and charming coastal towns, allowing visitors to experience the North Shore's dramatic scenery at a more intimate pace than driving. When completed, the trail will stretch approximately 89 miles from Two Harbors to Grand Marais, though several beautiful completed segments already provide memorable outdoor experiences for visitors of all abilities.