Minnesota--The Great River Road

The Great River Road (GRR) begins in Lake Itasca State Park, Minnesota. Driving through Minnesota on the GRR takes you past the northern boreal forest, tree farms, and hayfields, running along the Mississippi River. Farther south, the Red and White pines, Paper Birch, and Big-tooth Aspen fade away as more and more farms make up the scenery.

Next you'll travel through Bemidji on your way to Grand Rapids, traveling through the backcountry, twice crossing U.S. 2. The road hugs the shores of six lakes, crossing the Mississippi eight times. There are a number of resorts that can't be seen from the road. Just remember, they won't be luxurious, but leeches, minnows, and nightcrawlers abound for those who must fish. South of Grand Rapids is Aitkin (joining Route 210) and Crosby; it's so flat you'll swear you're in Iowa. Keeping your eye on Ole Miss, the rural road will take you through wild rice country. Be sure to keep alert, as this is where you'll encounter lots of deer, raccoon, skunk, and fox crossing the road.

Seventy miles south of Grand Rapids puts you in the middle of Crosby, the center of Minnesota's iron range, the Cuyuna. The mines are gone, but the landscape is reminiscent of what it was like during the days of mining iron. South of Crosby is Brainerd, more populated than other towns along the route. Host to lots of recreation, Brainerd boasts over 400 lakes within a 50-mile radius, and over 150 resorts or campgrounds. It's here that you'll be glad to return to the rural parts of GRR after being assaulted by discount stores, pawn shops, and empty storefronts along Route 210. South of Brainerd, you pick up Route 371. Don't miss the statue of Paul Bunyan's Blue Ox Babe at Route 371 and Route 210 on your way to Crow Wing State Park and Little Falls. Once again, the terrain is flat, filled with corn, and devoid of the Mississippi.

Finally, if you want to speed up things and get off the GRR, you can elect to drive U.S. 10 or I-94 here, on your way to St. Cloud and Monticello. A commercial and industrial center, St. Cloud resembles middle America with its suburbs. The GRR follows 9th Avenue through St. Cloud before riding along Route 75. Once you're past I-94 and traffic, you can once again pick up a rural road to return to a country setting.

Starting Point:
Lake Itasca State Park, MN

Distance of Drive:
183 miles

Must Eat:
Sawmill Inn
601 Washington St., Brainerd, MN 56401
Phone:  218-829-5444
Call ahead to confirm hours of operation.
Good Stop For:  Great Omelettes

Best Time of Year for Drive:
Autumn and summer are both beautiful seasons for this drive on the Minnesota portion of the Great River Road. During the fall, there are all kinds of festivals, including Oktoberfests, and in summer there are plenty of fish fries, and a Blueberry Festival in Lake George the last weekend of July.

Points of Interest on Drive:
Mississippi River
Statue of Paul Bunyan's Blue Ox Babe
Crow Wing State Park and Little Falls

UsedCars.biz Road Trip in the Same State:
Minnesota--North Country Drive

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