richbutnot

We (Dad, Mom, Son 17, Daughter 14) will be visiting Chicago, Door County and the Mall of America in June. We have 3 or 4 days to tour Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Wisconsin and Minnesota in bewteen Door County and Minneapolis.

We definately want to spend a day exploring the North Shore of Lake Superior, but I'm not sure where else to go. Pictured Rocks and Seney Wildlife Refuge seem pretty far out of the way. I am considering one night around Porcupine Mountain State Park.

We are mainly interested in seeing wildlife such as Bears, Eagles and Moose, without having to hike deep into the woods or camp out. (Think Yellowstone) Our secondary desire is great scenery.

What are the best places for seeing wildlife between Door County and Duluth?

Thanks, Rich

kelliebellie

You could take a day trip to Isle Royal. There will be a lot of hiking, but I think that is the only place to possibly see moose that far south. The UP isn't like Alaska.

Cali

You can also go up the Gunflint Trail from Grand Marais, MN and you wil most likely see moose. We go up there a couple times a year (To Gunflint Lodge) and we almost always see them. They are frequently right off the road or sometimes right on the road. Lots of other wildlife too. Our biggest thrill was seeing a wolf one evening. Had seen lots of moose and deer and other wildlife but never a wolf. Fun to see. Have a good trip.

TheWeasel

You won't find anything remotely like Yellowstone anywhere in this area.

I've lived in WI and/or MN most of my life, and I've seen one bear, and that was in the distance on the roadside. Eagles are more common - I couldn't give any specific recommendations for seeing them though. Isle Royale would be a great chance to see moose, but it involves a ferry ride and IMO would be way out of the way just to see a moose. You'd probably have to do some hiking once you got there to get a better chance to see a moose anyway.

I would suggest concentrating your visit around the North Shore area. You can drive thru northern WI and stop off at Apostle Islands on the way. I'd forget about the UP with such a short trip.

Dukey

And they sell those moose heads with the gingham antlers at the Minnesota Store at Mall of America!!! (Sorry, couldn't resist..and yes, it is true.)

PaulRabe

I have diligently sought moose and bear (and most other large animals) in the wild for over 25 years, including several trips to the area you are visiting. In "three to four days" you MIGHT see either or both of these, but I wouldn't count on it. Both animals, when truly wild, are VERY shy around humans -- fortunately for both them and us.

I've seen well over a dozen moose on my two trips to Isle Royale, but you will NOT see them on a day trip. They just don't hang out at the Windigo area of IR during the few afternoon hours you would be there. Spend a night at Feldtmann Lake, or even just camp at Windigo, and you'll see them -- but not on a day trip. Frankly, IMHO, a day trip to IR is a waste of money.

If you slowly drive along deserted roads either at dusk or dawn, you MIGHT spot either of these animals in far north Minnesota -- but more likely you won't. A guide note at Moose Lake MAINE, one of the best places for spotting moose, says it best -- you might see thirty moose on a five mile drive. Or, under the exact same conditions at the same time of day and year, you might see none.

There's no place like Yellowstone in the Lower 48 outside of Yellowstone. Just about everywhere else, seeing moose or bear, particularly if you want to stay on the main roads, is more dumb luck than anything else. For me, being able to beat the odds and see them is part of the thrill. I wish I could tell you where to get that thrill in this area, but I can't.

mdwest

I've lived in Wisconsin all my life and have never seen a bear or a moose in the wild. There are a lot of eagles around the Mississippi River in the areas where there are bluffs for nesting.

If you only have 3 or 4 days you'll spend all of it driving in order to get from Chicago to Door County to the Twin Cities, to Duluth and the north shore of Lake Superior.

mrpink

If you are in the Porkies area, try to spend some time in the Black River area. Lots of beautiful waterfalls and nice short hikes. Canoeing is beautiful in the Sylvania Wilderness area, and I would think wildlife is more plentiful.

Also, there are moose in the UP proper, not just Isle Royale. They have been known to wander into Marquette and I believe the "herd" is primarily located in the Covington area. Black bears are all over. However, the problem is being in the right place at the right time, as you probably know. We tend to see them along the roadways in the mornings or evenings.

We tend to see eagles along rivers and lakes. They often have nests in tall trees which are noticeable in the clearing provided by the water.

If you get to see some wildlife, great. Otherwise, enjoy the scenery!

angethereader

If you're driving from Door County to Duluth, stop in Bayfield and take the ferry(with your car) across to Madeline island. The first of the Apostle islands, and the only one where you can drive a car.
On the far side of the island is a state park. It's a beatiful place.

I live in Wisconsin and we have a place not far from Superior. You'll see lots of deer and probably bald and golden eagles. There are bear, but they stay away from people. The only place we'd see them when I was a kid was at the old dump. You may also see wild turkey, wolves, fox etc. It depends where you drive.
Enjoy.

tomboy

I don't know if it harbors these critters (it's wild enough to do so), but you might google the Sylvania Wilderness to find out. It's in the far west corner of the UP, about a mile from Wisconsin.

SuzieTrue

Bear are plentiful in the Porcupine Mts. Seeing them is another story. With only 3-4 days, concentrate on the western end of Lake Superior in WI and MN.

rapunzll

I've never been myself, but from everything I've ever heard, Isle Royale would be a fabulous spot for you to visit.

TC

You say you have 3 or 4 days between Door County and Minneapolis. It will be one long day of driving to get from Door County to Bayfield and then another to get back to Minneapolis. That doesn't leave much time for sightseeing. IMHO, while Madeline Island is pretty, its a long way out of your way. If you only have 3 days, and you spend two of them driving and some time on the North Shore, I don't think you have enough time for anything else. Take a second look at your schedule and map out your route just to be sure. It might be fun to find a cabin in the woods along your route from WI to MSP and spend a couple of nights. Maybe something in the Rhineland area. Here is one example that I found with a Google search.

http://wisvacations.com/stellalakeretreat/

repete

Going to Isle Royale for a day is fairly silly, especially if that day is rough/stormy.

Other than that, your only realistic shot at seeing moose is off the area the Minnesota North Shore near the Gunflint. It's a crapshoot,especially in June when the foliage is thick.

Bears, not very likely at all.

Concentrate on the scenery and takew wildlife as a bonus.

The very best is the North Shore of Minn. from Duluth to Grand Marais, which isn't directly on your route but is spectacular with waterfalls and rugged cliffs along the lake.

Because the highway runs along the shore, few sites require hikes. Duluth is also a fun stop.

Bayfield and the Apostles is also very nice.

Take a day and head north from Duluth, you won't be disappointed -- the best scenery of your trip.

sobolik

I live, hunt and travel in Wisconsin. I suggest that you alter your approach some what. The likelihood of spotting a wild animal on demand is slim as others have well stated. Wildlife is everywhere but they don't want to let it be known. (nocturnal, quickly flee etc.)
Rather I would suggest that you web search where the hot spots may exist for something i.e. Horicon marsh, dumps, sanctuaries, DNR education\ interpretation centers etc. Try to search for and find a Bald Eagle breeding\watchdog organization near your travel path to expose the family to. It would provide the "eagle" in the event of no live birds. Doing this searching might also reveal where a concentration is which may cause you to alter your lodging location some etc. The same goes for bears find some sort of black bear event\situation\organization or what ever. I do know that years ago the locals would go park at the dump at night and view several bears rather dependably. So web search UP dumps and bear problem news articles for example etc. I do not know if the EPA DNR dump regulations has changed this. Moose I doubt it. Off to the west a short detour between Chicago and Door county is Horicon marsh for waterfowl viewing. And I believe the worlds largest Heron rookery or something. Target and web search the DNR service\visitor station on the travel route. A duck video\visitors center could provide Horicon "ducks" and other stuff in the event that weather or whatever foils the plan of live sightings. Deer might best be sighted by slowly driving the roads at dusk. They like edge habitat not deep dark thick woods. You would be well served to target "stuff" anywhere on the travel route rather than rely upon happenstance. And web search research what “stuff” is on the route that will then be targeted. Some species have very limited habitat needs but once found can be seen in abundance. If not aware of the location they are just as easily passed by and never seen. Don’t forget Salmon swimming up streams off lake michigan. But in August? Maybe a salmon hatchery? Find what happening in August and follow that. I do not know how you plan on getting home but I think 90% of the WORLDS! Canvasback ducks concentrate in the Mississippi River pool just above LaCrosse Wi. Why? That is where the wild celery grows.

sobolik

oops I should have said June not August

coldkelly

In my opinion, this doesn't really count as seeing bear in the wild, but-- In 2005 and 2006 I backpacked in the Porkies. On the main road right outside the state park is a little cafe/ ice cream shop that feeds the bears in the late afternoon. They come down from the park and hang out near the back of the shop. I stopped 3 times there over the course of those 2 summers and never saw less than 5. I was amazed that they were allowed to do this as it's causing the bears to associate people with food and seemed very dangerous as the area had just a short fence around it, by no means all the way around. It would have been very easy for anyone to just dart around the fence in 5 seconds- the liability issues are staggering. But I did see bears. Also saw a bear while backpacking but that was way into the heart of the park, 5 miles down the trail..

Wilbur

I have lived in various parts of Wisconsin all my life and only seen 2 Bald Eagles and 1 bear in the wild. I suggest you look for adventure and scenic beauty rather than wildlife. There are lots of birds in Horicon Marsh ( on your way from Chicago to Door county - nice place to canoe) Door county also has lots of birds.

The Bayfield area with it's Apostle Islands are beautiful. The ferry just runs to Madeline Island but you and your children might find sea kayak lessons interesting. There are also charters to other islands. The drive along the south shore of Lake Superior on highway 13 is great. Small towns, check out the Russian Church in Cornucopia, beautiful scenery, on hwy 13 is where I saw my bear and one of my eagles. Stop at Amnicon Falls, just outside of Superior for a nice SHORT EASY hike and view the falls.

But if you are driving from Door County to the Mall of America Bayfield is really out of your way and you might want to consider St. Croix instead .
The St. Croix area north of St. Paul is also wonderful. Nice boat rides on the river. Interstate Park has easy walks along the river. You might see eagles there.

I have not done it for years- I took my kids when they were pre-school age- but they used to have a busing operation in Summerset, Wisconsin that takes you upstream on the Apple River. They gave you a big inner-tube and for 3 hours you float on down. It was fun and very commercial, there were food stands ( and alcohol) stands along the river bank and bathrooms. Alas, so many people floating by that I don't even think you could find a frog in that river, but it was fun.

shouldercat

You didn't mention what part of June & Northern MN can still be pretty cold then - esp off the lake. I agree w/most of the other posters that your chances for seeing bear and moose are pretty low(unless you go to the MN Zoo - not far from MOA). I live in Mpls. and have seen lots of eagles by the Mississippi river - mostly in Spring or Fall while they migrate. Finally, the Gunflint Trail and Isle Royale are both several hours north from Duluth - not very practical for your itinery.

rm_mn

I'll agree with Shouldercat. I live in northern Minnesota and June temperatures can range from the mid-twenties to mid-nineties. I live in a pretty wild area and see bears and wolves, but on their schedule. One year I may see them often, the next not at all. Moose are generally in the far northeastern or northwestern areas and seeing them is a hit or miss proposition, mostly miss. Even traveling in the BWCA by canoe it is rare to see them.