Bring a cooler, follow the scent of strawberries, and make your North Shore road trip just a little sweeter.
There’s a moment in every Duluth summer—usually right around July—when the wildflowers lean into the sun, the lake haze lifts just right, and roadside fruit stands start popping up like magic. If you know where to look, you’ll spot handwritten signs, wooden crates bursting with color, and quiet folks offering up berries that were picked just that morning.
We gathered some local favorites that are typically open this time of year. A quick heads-up: summer harvests shift fast, and not every stand posts online. So we always recommend calling ahead, checking Facebook, or asking a local. Here’s where to start your fruit-fueled adventure:
🍓 Sand Point Berry Farm
Tucked just west of Duluth
This family-run farm is a go-to for juicy strawberries, fresh raspberries, and homemade jams that taste like sunshine. While details are sometimes sparse online, Sand Point is usually in full swing by mid-July. Don’t be surprised if you end up chatting with the owner and leaving with a whole flat of berries instead of just one pint.
🛎️ Pro tip: Bring cash and a cooler—these berries are delicate and deliciously ripe.
🫐 Hovland Farms – Highway 61 U-Pick
About 2 hours up the shore, near Grand Marais
This is the kind of U-pick that feels like a summer memory in the making. Nestled beneath tall pines, Hovland Farms offers blueberry picking with a view. While their current crop status isn’t always online, most years the season kicks off in mid-to-late July. It’s a peaceful spot, perfect for slow mornings and berry-filled buckets.
🛎️ Pro tip: Call ahead or check local berry patch listings—ripeness windows can shift quickly depending on the weather.
🍒 Poplar Lake Orchard
Just inland off the Gunflint Trail
Though a bit off the beaten path, this orchard is a hidden gem when stone fruit comes into season. Think sweet cherries, soft peaches, and rustic tarts to go. While online info is minimal, visitors in past years have raved about the fruit and baked goods—so bring a sense of adventure and a good appetite.
🛎️ Pro tip: Stop at a local market or visitor center nearby for real-time info on hours and availability.
🌊 French River Blueberry Patch
Lakeside, just north of Duluth
This low-key patch sits near the French River and is a favorite of early risers. Though it’s one of the quieter stands, locals say it’s a peaceful spot with smaller, intensely flavorful berries. Availability changes quickly, so we suggest checking local Facebook groups or Duluth visitor sites before heading out.
🛎️ Pro tip: Go early—the best pickings happen before the heat sets in and the crowds show up.
Back at Gitche Gumee…
One of the joys of staying at The Inn on Gitche Gumee is having a little kitchen to turn your finds into something delicious. After a day of fruit stand hopping, rinse off your berries, simmer a batch of jam, or throw together a quick pie while the sun sets over Lake Superior. Or don’t—sometimes the best move is to eat them all by the handful on the porch swing.
Summer tastes better when it’s local.
