Looking for the best hiking trails on the North Shore of Minnesota for views, beaches, waterfalls, cliffs, and more?! The North Shore of Minnesota is an outdoor-lovers paradise with some of the best paddling, campsites, waterfalls, and hiking trails in the state. 

why me? hi there! I’m Maddy, a Minnesota based writer & photographer. I’ve spent the last three or so years living on the North Shore, working on and off as a wilderness guide in the area and appreciating this area the best way I know how; from the trail! I’m stoked to share all of my favorite North Shore hiking trails with you! Happy trails and see you out there!

Leave No Trace on the North Shore of Minnesota

The North Shore of Minnesota is the ancestral homeland of the Anshinaabe Indigenous People, and we are all guests on their land. Be aware when recreating on the North Shore that many sites have historical and cultural significance and should be treated with exceptional respect and care. Avoid hiking on unofficial trails as it may contribute to erosion, and only park where official parking spots are available, rather than make new parking spots widening roads. Take care not to damage trees and other plant life, even if they seem to be blocking the view. 

All trash, including toilet paper, orange peels, banana peels, etc, needs to be packed out. Many hiking trails on the Superior Hiking Trail are rigorous; be sure to pack enough food and water for your group. Cell service is not guaranteed in the area; neither is a quick rescue in the event of an emergency. To learn more about the general principles of Leave No Trace, click here.

A detailed guide to Leave No Trace on the North Shore!

Note: This article contains affiliate links! This means if you decide to purchase something based on my recommendation, I make a small kickback at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own (as will be come very obvious very shortly)

What to pack for a hiking trip on the North Shore:

Summers of Lake Superior can be chilly, particularly in June and early July! Pack for a variety of weather conditions. I recommend…

• 2 lightweight, long hiking pants. I wear a size 8 and am short, and find the REI trailmade to be super flattering as well as the Kuhl freeflex.
• A pair of shorts, and yoga pants with pockets 
• A fleece. Any fleece will do, but I really love my Patagonia Synchilla
• Wool baselayers. Five years of heavy paddling and my Smartwool baselayers are the only wool baselayers I’ve had that have really stood the test of time. For seven days, pack four baselayer tops. 
• Study hiking boots. I like my Briger Mids. Working in outdoor retail I literally never had anyone try on these shoes and not buy them. Pair with Darn Tough hiking socks and pack at least five pairs. In the alpine areas, trekking poles are also a great choice!
• hiking sandals
• Quick dry shots: I like Patagonia Baggies
• A puffy jacket. It can be cool even in the summer near the lakeshore, especially evenings. My partner Andy (also a wilderness guide) swears by the Patagonia Nano Puff. I like my Helly Hansen Liftloft. 
• If camping, a tent, packable sleeping bag (Nemo Disco) and pad (comfortable sleeping pad): Read my budget tent recommendations here!
• A day hiking pack: I love my Perimeter 35L. I was gifted this pack a few years back and it’s still my go-to day pack; a savvy packer can easily pack for a seven day hiking trip in this bag. 
• A raincoat. I love the Moss Raincoat from Helly Hansen; It’s affordable, cute, and super durable.

Best Hiking Trails on the North Shore of Minnesota 

I moved up to the North Shore in 2020, and since then have spent every spare day I had exploring the trails in all seasons. The North Shore is full of classic hikes and overlooks like Oberg Mountain, and so many lesser known gems. For my full recommendations for hiking, kayaking, the best campsites, where to stay, itineraries and more for the North Shore, check out my eBook & interactive map Exploring the North Shore!

1) Gooseberry Falls, Two Harbors Minnesota

Gooseberry Falls is an impressive, arguably the most impressive, North Shore waterfall. It is one of the only ADA accessible stops along the North Shore, and a good spot for families with strollers. In the winter, it’s much less crowded and a good spot to look for river otter, or strap on ice spikes and tackle the 5th falls trail.

Gooseberry is the perfect place to hike on the North Shore for families. This is the perfect park for people of varying skill levels and interests in the outdoors!

In the summer, this park is extremely crowded and probably a skip for me. I recommend visiting in the spring when the waterfall is full of fresh meltwater. Gooseberry is also a great place to go on the North Shore in the winter when all the waterfalls are frozen, and has groomed cross country ski trails. 

A state parks pass is required in Minnesota State Parks and can be purchased at the Gooseberry visitor’s center.

2) Day Hill Hike, Split Rock Lighthouse State Park

For a beautiful, 3-mile trek with moderate uphill and views of one of the most iconic Great Lakes Lighthouses, head up to Split Rock Lighthouse State Park and tackle the Day Hill Trail. This trail is easily one of the best, and most overlooked, hiking trails on the North Shore. 

While Split Rock Lighthouse State Park might be crowded in the summer, generally the crowds drop off after catching a glimpse of the lighthouse, and the hike to Day Hill itself is not crowded. 

3) Bean & Bear Hike, Silver Bay MN

SUMMER 2024 EDIT: Bean and Bear Lakes hike is closed as of May 15th 2024 for trail maintenance and campsite rehabilitation. There is still an SHT bypass for thru-hikers, but access to the lakes, overlooks, and campsites is restricted until further notice.

Looking for one of the most popular moderate hikes on the North Shore? The hike out to Bean & Bear Lakes on the Superior Hiking Trails is considered the best trail on the North Shore, and the overlook iconic. 

This 6-7 mile hike tackles uphills, light scrambling, and mud to get to beautiful cliffs overlooking the classic inland lakes. There are several other view points of Lake Superior and the surrounding highlands along the way. 

This hike is extremely popular, and while definitely worth a visit, personally I do not think it is the best hiking trail on the North Shore, particularly when compared to other trails in the region that might be more difficult but less crowded. 

Parking here is free, and there are two first-come, first-serve backpacking campsites available, though both are likely to quickly fill in peak season August-October.

Based in Duluth, MN and looking for trails a little closer to home? Check out the Best Hiking Trails near Duluth.

4) Shovel Point & High Falls, Tettegouche State Park

Tettegouche State Park is home to some of the most dramatic scenery and best hiking on the North Shore of Minnesota due in part to its unique geologic history; you are looking at remnants of an ancient volcano, as old as 1 billion years. 

Shovel Point is an almost 2-mile hike leaving from the Tettegouche State Park Visitor’s Center with cliffside views of Lake Superior. This trail is stunning in all seasons, but especially incredible in the winter when the whole trail is encased in ice (bring your spikes!). There a just a few hiking trails on the North Shore of Minnesota where you can truly hike cliffside to the lake, and the Shovel Point hike is by far the prettiest. 

I highly recommend a study pair of hiking boots like the Oboz Bridger Mid with great traction and ankle support for the rugged trails of the North Shore.

Pair your hike to Shovel Point with a hike to High Falls, one of the most impressive waterfalls on the North Shore! It’s a four mile hike round-trip out to the falls and back, but well worth the extra milage. High Falls is extremely impressive, and beautiful to visit in all seasons. 

5) Fantasia and Johnson Overlook

Move over Bean & Bear, there’s a much more impressive fall hike on the North Shore! The hike to Fantasia Overlook and Johnson Lake Overlook is nearly 6-miles with a brutal uphill to reach Fantasia, but well worth the hustle. Views on this trail are unmatched, with nearly 360 views of Lake Superior from the Fantasia Overlook spur. 

Parking is free at the SHT Trailhead, but the parking lot is small so arrive early or later in the day, particularly in the Fall on peak weekends.

To catch all of the beautiful overlooks in the area, I recommend investing in a MacKenzie Map or two— topographical maps of the area that will aid in navigation and help you find trails! These are the maps that I’ve used in three years exploring almost every trail in the area, and there a really great place to start for anyone looking to head off the beaten path.

For 140+ pages on the best waterfalls, saunas, backcountry cabins, free campsites, overlooks, pie, coffee, and more on the North Shore, check out the Exploring the North Shore eBook

6) Temperance River Gorge and Carlton Peak

Head to Temperance River State Park for some of the best true sea to summit hiking on the North Shore of Lake Superior! Temperance River State Park has waterfalls, beautiful bridges, and the incredible Temperance River Gorge. A short day hike in the park to Hidden Falls and down to Lake Superior will be rewarding, but the real crown jewel of the park is a sea to summit hike from the mouth of the Temperance River on Lake Superior up to Carlton Peak. 

A hike from Lake Superior up to Carlton & Tofte Peaks will be about 8 miles round trip as an out and back, with significant elevation gain. 

7) Oberg Mountain, Lutsen

Oberg Mountain is the most popular hike on the North Shore, and is particularly crowded in the fall. This three mile hike sports views of Lake Superior as well as views of the perfect circle of inland Oberg Lake. While there are some small uphills, this is generally an easy hike. 

If visiting in the fall, I recommend visiting at sunrise or sunset. During the day, as many as 184 cars (what I counted two years ago!!) will be parked and lined down the road. If the parking lot is over flowing, consider checking out one of the many other beautiful hikes in the area rather than park roadside. Even at sunrise, expect to see other hikers in the fall. 

Alternate hikes in the area include Britton Peak, Carlton Peak from the Sawbill Trail, Moose Mountain in Lutsen, White Sky Rock, and Lookout Mountain in Cascade River State Park.

8) White Sky Rock, Caribou Trail

White Sky Rock is a quick, less than one mile hike uphill to a beautiful overlook of Caribou Lake. This trail is especially popular in the fall, and beautiful at sunrise. While there is a steep uphill, this trail is still beginner-friendly for most hikers. 

While the White Sky Rock parking lot is fairly small, because the hike is so short parking lot turnover is quick.

For a more challenging hike, continue along the Superior Hiking Trail spur to Lake Agnes and out to an overlook of the Poplar River Valley.

9) Cascade River State Park, Grand Marais

Looking for what may be the best hiking trail on the North Shore? Want to see seven waterfalls in less than one mile? Head to Cascade River State Park and hike the short loop to the idyllic wooden bridge. Along the way, you’ll pass tons of waterfalls and feel as if you were transported into a fairytale. 

For a challenge, continue up the Lookout Mountain Trail for views of Lake Superior. 

10) Pincushion Mountain, Grand Marais

Just outside of Grand Marais, Pincushion Mountain is one of the most overlooked hiking trails on the North Shore of Minnesota. In the winter, Pincushion is a XC skier and snowshoer’s paradise. In the summer, head out to the incredible overlook of Lake Superior and catch a glimpse of Isle Royale National Park on a clear day. 

This trail is just four miles out and back with relatively little elevation change.

11)  Caribou Rock Trail, Gunflint Trail

Accessible from the North Shore of Lake Superior, Caribou Rock Trail is the mother of all Minnesota Day Hikes. A brutal seven-mile out and back over BWCA portages, roots, slippery rocks with endless uphill and downhill will lead you past three beautiful overlooks and out to the elusive Rose Falls. 

Permits are required in the BWCA. While a hike out to Rose is rewarding, it is an extremely difficult hike. There is no cell service in the BWCA. The first two overlooks can be reached within three miles, and are a plenty rewarding hike without continuing on to some of the more difficult sections of trail. 

12) Mount Rose and Grand Portage National Monument

Grand Portage National Monument is well worth the visit for any North Shore hiker! This museum and interpretive fort are right on Lake Superior and one of the only National Parks in the country co-managed in partnership with the local tribe, ie the Grand Portage Ojibwe/ Anishinabee Nation.

Within the park, the hike up to Rose Mountain is paved and more of a steep walk up a hill to a pretty overlook of Grand Portage, the bay, and the fort below. On clear days, you can see Isle Royale in the distance and Rock of Ages lighthouse.

This hike is family-friendly and an all around immersive experience. 

13) Grand Portage State Park

Grand Portage State Park is home to High Falls on the Pigeon River, one of the highest waterfalls in the Midwest! It’s a paved path out to the falls and mostly ADA accessible with the exception of stairs to several of the viewing platforms. High Falls is less than one mile round trip. 

You have the option to continue to Middle Falls, but it is a longer hike with an underwhelming finish, especially with the Canadian highway on the other side at the end. Probably a skip.

14) Caribou Falls

Looking for an easy waterfall hike on the North Shore? Head to the unique Caribou Falls wayside for a quick trail with lots of payoff. Love the this waterfall? Keep hiking! There are several hidden waterfalls farther down the path that most hikers don’t get the chance to check out.

15) Magnetic Rock Trail

Minnesota’s Gunflint Trail is a beautiful scenic drive that cuts into the heart of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and just North of the North Shore, but did you know the Gunflint is home to several beautiful hikes? My favorite easy hike along the Gunflint Trail is the hike out to Magnetic Rock, a 30 foot tall standing stone that is mysteriously magnetic!

The Magnetic Rock Trail is one of the best moderate and least crowded hiking trails on the North Shore!

16) White Sky Rock

North of Lutsen on the Caribou Trail, White Sky Rock is a short, uphill hike to an east-facing overlook of Caribou Lake— a perfect spot for sunrise! The overlook itself is reminiscent of the view at Rose Lake Cliffs (see below), but a much easier hike. White Sky Rock is probably the easiest hike on the North Shore leading to one of the best views!

Trails on the North Shore are pretty rugged! A year ago, I picked up a thru-hiker who said the SHT was more difficult for her than the AT. I strongly recommend a pair of hiking boots with good ankle support and traction. I’m a big fan of the Oboz Bridger Mids, pictured above and all over these photos.

17) Poplar Valley Overlook

From White Sky Rock above, continue along the the spur trail to the Superior Hiking Trail for a few more lovely overlooks and eventually a sweeping view of the Popular River Valley. Moderate hike if continued out to the other overlooks.

Last year this trail was moderately-trafficked— a lot of Minneapolis-based creators made videos about this hike, so it might be busier this year than in previous years. Still, it’s such a quick hike that parking lot turnover is relatively quick and it’s worth a stop.

18) Rose Lake Cliffs

If you’re looking for the single most stunning, most difficult hike on the North Shore, look no further than the Caribou Rock/Rose Lake Cliffs combo. This hike is perfect for hikers and avid outdoors-people who love to suffer, just a little. 

The good news is this hike is stunning every step of the way. The bad news? It’s about 12- 14 miles round trip out to Rose Lake Cliffs, and it’s an incredibly difficult 14 miles. For reference, we left the car at 7 am, and made it back around 6 pm.

Is all that hard hiking worth it for this view? I’m gonna go ahead and say heck yes, it sure is. I won’t detail the route and specifics of this hike here, because I’ve already written a very detailed trail guide to this day trip.

Some notes on hiking to Rose Lake Cliffs via Caribou Rock Trail:

The entire route out to Rose Lake Cliffs is full of overlooks and views like the one above, and it’s worth every difficult mile. As a photographer, I was thrilled. As an avid hiker?

I was pretty humbled. It’s been a while since I’ve hiked a trail that, for lack of a better phrase, totally kicked my ass. This one did that. I’m a regular backpacker on the Border Route Trail, and a Lake Superior sea kayaking guide, so I’d sort of assumed the reviews saying the Caribou Rock Trail was the most difficult trail in Minnesota were a little dramatic. 

I fell into the classic trap of assuming I know more than other people and my experience and level of physical fitness must be better than some internet stranger. 

That is a hard section of trail. The hike out to Rose Lake Cliffs is easily the most beautiful hike in Minnesota I’ve experienced, maybe the Midwest, but the Caribou Rock Trail is definitely the most difficult & technical section of trail I’ve experienced in the state as well. To read my full trail guide/trip report from Rose Lake Cliffs including how to get there, best photo spots, and a break down of the difficult spots on the trail, click here.

19) Judge CR Magney State Park

Judge CR Magney and the Devil’s Kettle are popular hiking trails on the North Shore, and honestly I would skip them in the summer. In the winter however, Upper Falls freezes justtttt right for you to stand on the shore and feel the spray on your face. It’s an incredible experience and I recommend penciling a North Shore winter hiking trip into your calendar.

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Looking for more great hiking trails on the North Shore and beyond?

• For the best waterfalls, place to eat, stay and more, check out 30 Best Things to Do on the North Shore
• Check out 18 Breathtaking Day Hikes on Lake Superior for bucket list hikes around Lake Superior
• The Ultimate North Shore Winter Bucket List for the best things to do in the Winter on the North Shore
• The Exploring the North Shore eBook and Interactive Map for a 140+ pages of detailed trail guides, sea caves, hidden waterfalls, the best campsites and more on the North Shore!

Check out the Midwest Adventure eBook Bundle for over 300+ pages of detailed adventure planning including hidden waterfalls, the best campsites, off-the-beaten-path adventures, and more covering Sleeping Bear to the end of the Gunflint Trail and everything in-between!

For more hiking trails on the North Shore, including the trails pictured above, visit my FREE trail guide archive!

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