Lake Superior: The Ultimate Guide to the Lake Region

Authored by Hugh Bishop, a frequent contributor to Lake Superior Magazine. Considered by many to be the most comprehensive guide to road travel around Lake Superior. Black & White photographs, maps, and detailed info about towns, villages, and cities along the route.

Insiders Guide to the
Lake Superior Region

A comprehensive guide to traveling around Lake Superior . . . over 550 pages of information.
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Nina's North Shore Guide

400 page directory to the best places to eat, dine, play, and relax along the North Shore . . . from Duluth to Grand Portage, Minnesota.
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Wisconsin Atlas and Gazetteer

A necessary companion for the traveler and explorer. In addition to detailed maps of roads (including backroads and trails), the Gazetteer includes map notes & guides to campgrounds, waterfalls, scenic drives, state and national forests, rivers, boat and canoe launches, museums, and many other travel attractions. (versions also available for Michigan and Minnesota) [More info]

Also see the Michigan Atlas & Gazetteer and the Minnesota Atlas and Gazetteer

Hiking Wisconsin

Author Eric Hansen is well known in upper midwest hiking circles. His book on Wisconsin profiles 60 hiking and walking trails . . . complete with hike descriptions, difficulty ratings, and trail lengths. [More info]

Hiking Michigan's Upper Peninsula

Eric Hansen's guide to UP hiking is well respected in hiking circles. This guide includes profiles on some terrific off-the-beaten path hiking trails. [More info]

Gentle Hikes: Minnesota's Most Scenic North Shore Hikes Under 3 Miles

We've found the "Gentle Hikes" books worthwhile and well-documented guides to interesting hikes, walks, picnic areas and scenic attractions around Lake Superior. Versions exist for the Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

Also see Gentle Hikes: Northern Wisconsin's Most Scenic Lake Superior Hikes Under 3 Miles

Also see Gentle Hikes of Upper Michigan: Upper Michigan's Most Scenic Lake Superior Hikes Under 3 Miles

Lake Superior Rocks & Minerals: A Field Guide to the Lake Superior Area

Recommended by a SuperiorTrails friend & rock hound, this new guide has actual photographs of various rocks and minerals found on Lake Superior beaches. Co-author Bob Lynch is owner of Agate City Rocks and Gifts in Two Harbors Minnesota

Understanding & Finding Agates

Karen Brzys. Director, Gitchee Gumee Agate & History Museum, is an experienced beach comber and agate collector. Her book is the best one I've found for giving me guidance on identifying agates-in-the-rough. [More Info]

Is this an Agate?: An illustrated guide to Lake Superior's beach stones Michigan

This is required handbook for rock pickers who love to comb Lake Superior beaches looking for pretty rocks and hoping to find an agate. Identifies some of the UP's best rock picking beaches.

Rock Pickers Guide to
Lake Superior's North Shore

Sparky's guide covers what north shore beaches to comb, a bit of history on the formation of the various rocks found on beaches, and helpful information and pictures on identifying beach rocks and minerals.

Agates: Treasures of the Earth

Roger Pabian, professor emeritus at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and his fellow authors provide an informative guide to finding and collecting agates.

Lake Superior Rock Picker's Guide

Here is another book recommended by a Superior Trails reader and rock hound who was able to identify over 50 rocks found on the beach using this guide by Kevin Gauthier and Bruce Mueller. Also included are tips for polishing the stones and rock. Kevin and Bruce also publish a similar guide for Lake Michigan rocks.

Lake Superior Images

Photographer Craig Blacklock offers a bookful of high quality images from around Lake Superior - far superior in quality than you or I could produce. "Lake Superior Images" offers a great book of memories plus it would be a handy guide for the explorer who loves to get off the beaten path to see some exceptional natural places.

Mighty Fitz: The Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald

Many of know about the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald from the song by Gordon Lightfoot. But here is the fascinating real story of the storm and circumstances that led to the fate of the Fitz. Exciting drama mixed in with some education on an industry most of know little about.

Get the DVD -- Deep Sea Detecties: Death of The Edmund Fitzgerald

Lake Effect: A Deckhand's Journey on the Great Lakes Freighters

Average rating on Amazon is 5 stars. Described as a "deckhand's coming-of-age story of sailing the Great Lakes steamboats during the social and political turbulence of the early 1970s, . . . a vivid and memorable account, told in an entertaining narrative style, of life aboard the giant ore boats."