17 Best Things to Do in Cloquet, Minnesota (From a Mill-Town Local)
From Jay Cooke State Park to Lake Superior helicopter tours — a local's guide to Cloquet, Minnesota, just 20 minutes south of Duluth.
At a Glance
The best things to do in Cloquet, Minnesota are Jay Cooke State Park (4.9 stars, 3,824 reviews, 15 min south), the Willard Munger State Trail (70 paved miles to Duluth), and R.W. Lindholm Service Station — the only gas station Frank Lloyd Wright ever designed. Carlton's Black Bear Casino, Bent Paddle Brewing in Duluth (20 min north), and Canal Park's Aerial Lift Bridge round out the regional must-sees.
In This Guide
If you've ever driven north on I-35 toward Lake Superior and seen the highway swing through a wide bend of pine and birch, that's Cloquet — a mill town of about 12,000 people, perched on the St. Louis River, twenty minutes south of Duluth and a world away from Duluth's hotel rates. Locals say the smell of fresh-cut wood from the Sappi paper mill is part of the town's signature, along with bald eagles over the river bridge and the only gas station Frank Lloyd Wright ever designed. Whether you're rolling in with a big group at our Cloquet barnhouse or just passing through on your way up the North Shore, this guide covers what's actually worth your time in and around Cloquet, Minnesota — pulled from local Google reviews, our own scouting, and the real ratings (we filtered out anything below 4.0).
Why Cloquet (and Not Just Duluth)
Most travel guides for this corner of Minnesota skip straight to Duluth and never look back. That's a mistake. Cloquet sits at the elbow where Highway 33 meets I-35 — close enough to Canal Park and the Lakewalk for a morning walk along the harbor, but far enough out that you're not paying lakefront prices or fighting for parking in summer. It's also the gateway to Jay Cooke State Park, the Willard Munger Trail, and the Fond du Lac Ojibwe reservation, all of which are reasons to stay in Cloquet specifically — not bolted on to a Duluth trip as an afterthought.
The town itself is small but it pulls its weight. There's a Frank Lloyd Wright building you can walk into. There's a 30-foot bridge over the St. Louis River where kids drop sticks into the rapids. There's a pre-Prohibition main street that's slowly filling back up with good restaurants. And if you're traveling with twenty-plus people, Cloquet is one of the few towns in northern Minnesota where you can find a single property big enough to hold everyone without splitting the group across three different rentals.
State Parks, Trails, and Wild Rivers
This region is dense with public land — most of it within a 25-minute drive of downtown Cloquet. If you're coming for one reason, make it this.
Jay Cooke State Park · State park · 4.9 stars (3,824 reviews)
The Swinging Bridge over the St. Louis River is the headline — a 200-foot suspension bridge that bounces gently as you cross, with whitewater roaring below. Reviewers consistently call out the bridge walk as "thrilling with the water so high and running so fast." Pioneer cemetery, 50+ miles of trails, and pull-off overlooks make this an easy half-day. Park sticker required.
15-minute drive south of Cloquet (780 E Hwy 210, Carlton)
Willard Munger State Trail · Paved rail-trail · 70 miles
One of the longest paved trails in the country. The Hinckley-to-Duluth segment runs right through Carlton — about 10 minutes south of Cloquet — and the stretch from Carlton to West Duluth is the most spectacular: 14 miles downhill through hardwoods, with views of the St. Louis River valley most of the way. Bring bikes or rent in Duluth.
10-minute drive to the Carlton trailhead
Minnesota Whitewater Rafting · Raft outfitter · 4.9 stars (107 reviews)
Class II-III rapids on the St. Louis River through Jay Cooke State Park, guided by an outfitter that runs trips spring through fall. A perennial group-trip favorite — reviewers call it "the highlight of the whole vacation." Book a couple weeks ahead for weekend slots in July and August.
15-minute drive from Cloquet
High Ropes MN — Aerial Challenge Course · Adventure park · 4.6 stars
Treetop obstacle course with zip lines, swinging bridges, and platforms 30 feet up in the pines. $40 admission. Great for older kids, teens, and groups looking for something more active than a state-park hike.
15-minute drive from Cloquet
Downtown Cloquet: History, Quirk, and a Wright
Downtown Cloquet is compact — five or six walkable blocks along Cloquet Avenue — but every one of these is within a 5-minute drive of our barnhouse.
R.W. Lindholm Service Station (Frank Lloyd Wright) · Architectural landmark · 4.7 stars (128 reviews)
The only gas station Frank Lloyd Wright ever designed and built — opened in 1958 and still operating. The cantilevered copper canopy is unmistakable. Reviewers say "you can definitely see elements of Frank Lloyd Wright's style" in the second-floor lounge with its floor-to-ceiling windows over downtown. Stop in, fill up, take photos. It's free and it's weird and it's Cloquet's quietest claim to fame.
5-minute drive from Cloquet barnhouse · 202 Cloquet Ave
Dunlap Island Park · City park · 4.7 stars (63 reviews)
A small island in the middle of the St. Louis River, connected by footbridges. The playground was rebuilt a few years ago and reviewers single out "great slides, a nice long zipline, and a massive rope gym." Bring kids in the morning when the bridge fog burns off the water. Free.
5-minute drive from Cloquet barnhouse
Carlton County Historical Society · Museum · 5.0 stars
Small but excellent local-history museum that covers the 1918 Cloquet fire (one of the deadliest wildfires in U.S. history, which leveled the town and killed more than 450 people in a single afternoon), the Ojibwe presence on the Fond du Lac reservation, and the lumber-mill economy that built the place. Reviewers consistently rate it 5 stars. Donation-based admission.
5-minute drive from Cloquet barnhouse
Voyageur Statue + Veterans Park · Riverside park · 4.5-4.6 stars
A pair of riverside stops on the same loop. The Voyageur Statue nods to the French-Canadian fur traders who paddled this stretch of river in the 1700s, and Veterans Park has "a pavilion, sitting area by the memory garden, and a small pond" — quiet enough for a sunset walk after dinner downtown.
5-minute drive from Cloquet barnhouse
Kendahl Miniature Golf + Cloquet Country Club · Golf · 4.5-4.7 stars
Kendahl's 18-hole mini course is a long-running town fixture and one of the better-rated mini-golf operations in northern Minnesota. For real golf, Cloquet Country Club is a private course that takes public play on select days — the front nine runs along the river bluff.
5-minute drive from Cloquet barnhouse
Where to Eat and Drink in Cloquet
The food scene punches above its weight for a town this size. None of these are chains; most have been in the same families for decades.
Pedro's Grill & Cantina · Mexican · 4.6 stars (1,876 reviews)
The most-reviewed restaurant in town and the runaway favorite for big groups. Reviewers say "amazing service, amazing food, and fantastic drinks." Margaritas are oversized; the patio fills up fast on summer weekends. Call ahead for parties of 8+.
5-minute drive from Cloquet barnhouse · 7 8th St
Family Tradition Restaurant · Family diner · 4.6 stars (983 reviews)
Best breakfast in Cloquet, full stop. Opens at 6 a.m. Reviewers rave: "the food was delicious and the family-owned service was spectacular." Go early — the line by 8:30 a.m. is real.
5-minute drive from Cloquet barnhouse · 816 Sunnyside Dr
Carmen's Bar & Restaurant · Pub fare · 4.5 stars (999 reviews)
Cloquet's late-night spot — kitchen's open until 1 a.m. Burgers, walleye sandwiches, and a strong fish-fry Friday. "My food came out quickly and was exactly as I had ordered" sums up the consensus.
5-minute drive from Cloquet barnhouse
Holy Smokes BBQ · Barbecue · 4.7 stars (72 reviews)
Small operation, big reputation. Reviewers say "the chips stayed crispy, portions were huge, and the flavor was unreal." Closes early at 6:30 p.m. Order ahead online for groups.
5-minute drive from Cloquet barnhouse · 1103 Avenue B
218 Taphouse · Bar + bowling · 4.5 stars (45 reviews)
Local rotating tap list and a small attached bowling alley. Reviewer pull-quote: "fun, fun, fun — beers were interesting, found a couple yummy, bowling was a hoot." Good rainy-day backup.
5-minute drive from Cloquet barnhouse · 918 MN-33
A Duluth Day Trip from Cloquet
Cloquet is twenty minutes from downtown Duluth — close enough to do as a half-day, but far enough to avoid the summer lakefront hotel rates. Here's what's worth the drive.
Canal Park & Aerial Lift Bridge · Harborfront district
The 1905 Aerial Lift Bridge raises 138 feet whenever a ship enters the harbor — usually a couple times a day in shipping season. Walk the Lakewalk promenade, browse the shops, and time the bridge raising if you can. Most reviewers come for the boats and stay for the sunset over Lake Superior.
20-minute drive from Cloquet barnhouse
Bent Paddle Brewing Co. · Brewery · 4.8 stars (1,115 reviews)
The best-rated brewery in the Duluth area and the one most likely to be in your group chat already. Lincoln Park taproom has dogs, food trucks, and a big patio. "Excellent beer, spectacular service, and a very cool space" — pull-quote from a typical review.
20-minute drive from Cloquet barnhouse · 1832 W Michigan St, Duluth
Wild State Cider · Cidery · 4.9 stars (704 reviews)
Two doors down from Bent Paddle on Superior Street. A cidery that's earned a near-perfect rating across 700+ reviews. Trail flight, wood-fired pizza, and a long communal table that makes group ordering easy.
20-minute drive from Cloquet barnhouse · 2515 W Superior St, Duluth
Spirit Mountain Recreation Area · Year-round adventure · 4.0 stars (599 reviews)
Winter skiing and snowboarding; summer mountain coaster, alpine slide, mini golf, and zip line. Day passes from $45. Worth a half-day with kids in either season.
15-minute drive from Cloquet barnhouse · 9500 Spirit Mountain Pl
Black Bear Casino Resort (Carlton) · Casino + hotel · 3.9 stars (7,277 reviews)
Owned and operated by the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. Tables, slots, three restaurants, and the Sawmill Saloon for live music. Fifteen minutes from Cloquet on Highway 210. Good rainy-day or after-dinner option for groups split between sit-down and walk-around.
15-minute drive from Cloquet barnhouse · 1785 MN-210, Carlton
Best Time to Visit Cloquet
Summer (June–August) is peak — Jay Cooke is at its best, whitewater rafting is running, and the Munger Trail is a perfect 70-degree ride. Book lodging early; the Duluth/Cloquet corridor fills up fast on July and August weekends.
Fall (mid-September to mid-October) is the underrated season. The maple and birch turn a week or two ahead of the rest of Minnesota, and Jay Cooke's overlooks are spectacular. Crowds drop sharply after Labor Day, and you'll get the swinging bridge mostly to yourself.
Winter (December–February) opens up Spirit Mountain skiing, snowshoeing in Jay Cooke, and ice fishing on the area lakes. Cloquet sees serious cold — pack accordingly — but lodging rates are at their lowest and the barnhouse hot tub feels like it was built for the season.
Spring (April–May) is the rafting sweet spot — snowmelt cranks the St. Louis River into class III water through Jay Cooke. Trails can be muddy until mid-May.
Where to Stay in Cloquet
Cloquet has a few highway-exit hotels (Super 8, AmericInn) and the casino's rooms in Carlton, but if you're traveling with a group of 10 or more, none of those are practical — you'd be split across multiple buildings, eating breakfast on the road, and paying separate booking fees. The smarter play is to put everyone under one roof.
Stay Here
Big Sky Barnhouse Cloquet — Cloquet, MN
Sleeps 30 · 7 bedrooms · 20 beds · 3.5 bathrooms · Private helicopter pad, indoor bowling alley, 30-foot sports bar, 3rd-story adventure park, 30-foot slide into the living room, 5-hole mini golf, hot tub, barrel sauna, arcade, billiards, mini basketball court, 10 acres of private trails, on-site horse farm.
This is the only large-group property in the Duluth area built for 30 people under one roof — purpose-designed for family reunions, bachelor and bachelorette weekends, corporate retreats, and milestone birthdays. The helipad runs Lake Superior tours straight from the backyard. Viral on TikTok with 12.5M+ views, but the real reason to book is that nothing else in the region sleeps a group this size with this caliber of amenities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cloquet, Minnesota known for?
Cloquet is best known for three things: the R.W. Lindholm Service Station — the only gas station Frank Lloyd Wright ever designed — the Sappi paper mill that has anchored the local economy for over a century, and the devastating 1918 Cloquet fire that destroyed the town and killed more than 450 people. Today it's also recognized as the southern gateway to Lake Superior and Jay Cooke State Park.
How far is Cloquet from Duluth, Minnesota?
Cloquet is 20 miles southwest of Duluth — a 20- to 25-minute drive on I-35. That makes it close enough to do Canal Park, the Aerial Lift Bridge, Bent Paddle Brewing, and the Lakewalk as easy day trips while staying in less-crowded, less-expensive Cloquet lodging.
Is Jay Cooke State Park worth visiting?
Yes — Jay Cooke is one of the highest-rated state parks in Minnesota (4.9 stars across 3,800+ Google reviews). The 200-foot suspension bridge over the St. Louis River, 50+ miles of trails, and pioneer cemetery are the headline draws. From our Cloquet barnhouse, it's a 15-minute drive to the visitor center. A state park sticker is required.
What's the best restaurant in Cloquet?
By Google rating and review count, the top contenders are Pedro's Grill & Cantina (4.6 stars, 1,876 reviews) for Mexican, Family Tradition Restaurant (4.6 stars, 983 reviews) for breakfast and family-style diner fare, and Carmen's Bar & Restaurant (4.5 stars, 999 reviews) for pub food with a late-night kitchen. All three are within a 5-minute drive of the Cloquet barnhouse.
Can you do whitewater rafting near Cloquet?
Yes. Minnesota Whitewater Rafting runs guided trips through Jay Cooke State Park on the St. Louis River — class II–III rapids in summer, class III in spring snowmelt. They've got a 4.9-star rating across 100+ reviews. Trips run weekends spring through fall; book at least two weeks ahead for July and August weekends.
Planning a Cloquet or Duluth-area getaway?
Our Cloquet barnhouse sleeps 30 with a helipad, bowling alley, and 10 private acres — the only property in the Duluth area built for groups this size. It's also our only property in Minnesota, so if you want the silo barn for your reunion or retreat, book early.
