Do you love a variety of outdoor activities such as ice skating, skiing, hiking, and whitewater rafting? Well, you will find many great things to do in Cloquet, Minnesota year-round. Rich in history, Cloquet also offers a variety of activities including a railroad museum. Hop onboard to discover some of the great things to do in Cloquet and its surrounding area.
Enjoy some Minnesota Whitewater Rafting
In the spring and summer, one can enjoy some white water rafting provided by Swiftwater Adventures. These kayak trips make for a great thrill ride for the adventure seeker in your group. Are you new to whitewater rafting? Well, they provide kayak lessons for those that are inexperienced as well. Swiftwater offers rafting for beginner, novice, and advanced rafters ages 11 and up. Enjoy a great excursion on one of the many rivers in Minnesota with Swiftwater Adventures.
Visit Jay Cooke State Park
Nearby Jay Cooke State Park features walking trails for all levels of hiking. The swinging bridge above the Saint Louis River alone is worth the stop. For the outdoorsy person in your family, there are camping sites, fishing piers, all-terrain vehicle trails. There are over 46 different wildlife species in the area including coyotes, deer, and more. The beautiful scenery is definitely worth the stop.
Walk Trails in Fauley Park
Fauley Park in Cloquet has numerous trails as well as the working service station designed by Frank Lloyd Wright mentioned below. Are you into railroading and trains? Fauley Park is home to the historic Duluth & Northeastern Railroad Engine No. 16 and caboose. The park also has a picnic area where one can have a picnic near this historic train and caboose. Don’t forget to stop there on your trip to Cloquet.
Enjoy the R.W. Lindholm Service Station by Frank Lloyd Wright
Cloquet even features a historical service station designed by famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright. It is featured in the National Registry of Historic Places. The station was built in 1958 and is still a working gas station. It was one of the few designs from the late architect’s Broadacre City plan that was actually implemented. It was built for $20,000, which is four times the cost of an average filling station at the time. It was meant to be a gas station and social center; this is a great stop for the historian in the family.
Trek Moose Lake State Park With Your Furry Friend
Moose Lake State Park is a dog-friendly state park in the area of Cloquet. There are plenty of ponds, woods, and fields for you and your furry friend to explore. Dogs are welcome as long as they are on a leash under six feet long. Naturally, all mess must be cleaned up as well. Other than that, bring your pet to this lovely park any time of year. The park is also home to many camping sites, a swimming beach, and picnic areas. This is worth the stop to Cloquet if you have a furry friend that loves to hike with you.
“Get Pickin” Some New Treasures
Are you into rocks and geology? While you are in Cloquet, don’t forget to visit Get Pickin. This family-run attraction lets you pick Lake Superior rocks and crystals by the bag. They also sell stones and beautiful jewelry made from local stones. Agates from Lake Superior are the official gemstone of Minnesota, and this shop is proud to sell these beautiful treasures that are all found locally. This is great for a treasure hunt as they will let you pick a bag of stones for only $10. This is a great activity for all members of the family.
The Beach Pinehurst Park
Believe it or not, there is a beach of sorts even in this Northern State. One can visit Pinehurst Park, which has a sand-bottom, chlorinated pool with lifeguards. The park also features a basketball court, hockey rink, picnic area, and walking trails. The sand-bottom pool feels like swimming in a lake without the nastiness of weeds and creatures on the bottom. Do you want to swim in a lake but hate weeds on your feet? If so, this is the place for you.
Lake Superior Railroad Museum
Are you a fan of history and museums? Cloquet even has a place for that nearby as well. The Lake Superior Railroad Museum is another great destination in the area of Cloquet. This museum, founded in 1973, boasts the finest collection of railroad equipment in the country. It was built on the original Historic Union Depot that was built in 1892. It has plenty of interactive exhibits as well as a history of railroading in the region.
The depot houses the state’s first locomotive as well as the oldest steam and rotary snowplow. The exhibits are enclosed so one can visit these pieces of history year-round. In the summer months, one can take an excursion on one of these pieces of rail equipment operated by the museum. You can complete your visit with a train ride along the shores of Lake Superior.
Enjoy Numerous Winter Activities
If you visit in the winter, don’t forget to take advantage of the snow and ice and partake in the many winter activities possible in the region. There are many slopes for skiing and snowboarding, and many lakes in the area for ice skating. There are plenty of local shops to purchase equipment for these activities as well. One nearby example is the Ski Hut in Duluth. It has been on the same street since it opened in 1955. They can tune up your ski gear or outfit you with new winter gear. Additionally, there are local paths and huge trail systems for cross-country skiing.
FAQ
Can my dog run in city and state parks?
Yes, as long as they are on a leash and cleaned up after. Dogs are not allowed in picnic areas or athletic fields, however.
How many parks are in Cloquet?
There are 14 parks boasting hundreds of acres in just Cloquet alone including the ones mentioned in the article.
Where are the outdoor hockey and ice rinks?
There are three hockey rinks located at Sunnyside Park, Pinehurst Park, and Pine Valley. The pleasure skating rinks are at Sunnyside Park, Atheltic Park, and Pinehurst Park.
When are the parks open?
Parks are open from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm each day.
Is the Frank Lloyd Wright gas station open?
Unfortunately, it is currently in disrepair, so the observation deck is closed. The station is currently listed for sale.
Wrapping Up: Fun Things to Do in Cloquet
If you are headed to Minnesota, add Cloquet to your list as a fun and interesting place to visit outside of Duluth, MN. Enjoy rock picking, hiking trails, museums, and more of the fun things to do in Cloquet and nearby. The attractions are sure to excite people of all ages and interests, especially adventurers. Have you been to the Cloquet area? Are you planning to go? Please feel free to tell us about it in the comments or leave a suggestion on our page.