Did you know Duluth, Minnesota is one of the best cities for hiking in the midwest? Near National Lakeshores, waterfalls, and 300-mile thru-hiking trail, Duluth offers some of the best hiking east of the Rockies. From beach strolls to ankle-twisters, here are the best hiking trails near Duluth, Minnesota.

Why me? I’ve spent the last three years living on and exploring the North Shore and Duluth in all seasons! I work as a sea kayaking guide and freelance outdoor writer, and have lived and worked in both Grand Marais and Two Harbors, MN. The North Shore is a beautiful place to visit, and I’m happy to show you some of my favorite spots & hidden gems!

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Pictured right to left: Hiking High Falls wearing my Oboz Bridger mids and Darn Tough Vermont socks, sunset at Split Rock Lighthouse, hiking the labyrinth of trails in Tettegouche State Park.

Best Hiking Trails near Duluth, MN:

Duluth, Minnesota is the ultimate midwest hiking destination! Here, you’ll find hidden waterfalls, perfect cold plunge pools, sweeping overlooks, lighthouses, and more. When hiking in Duluth, there is something for everyone!

Leave No Trace around Duluth:

Many of the trails around Duluth have been used for centuries by the people Indigenous to this area, the Ojibwe (Anishinaabe) and before them the Dakota and Cree people. When hiking and recreating around Duluth, keep in mind that all areas are potentially of cultural and archeological significance.

In addition to packing out all trash, take care to stay on the trail, avoid walking in erosion zones and recovering areas, take nothing from the environment with you, camp only in designated campsites and avoid making campsite or view “improvements” such as cutting down trees, digging drainage, or moving rocks. Remember that toilet paper, orange and banana peels, and all trash including trash traditionally thought of as biodegradable must be packed out.

Pictured right to left: Hiking Mount Trudee wearing my Oboz Bridger mids and Darn Tough Vermont socks, Cross Country Skiing Lester Park, hiking the Bass Lake Loop in Ely.

Looking for the best hidden waterfalls, swimming holes, free camping, overlooks and more in the Midwest? Check out the Midwest Adventure eBook bundle for incredible hiking, paddling, and more in the Great Lakes Region.

What to pack for a Duluth, Minnesota Hiking Trip:

Summers on Lake Superior can be chilly! I recommend dressing warmer than you expect!

• 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.
• The Exploring the Midwest eBook Bundle!

for more on the gear I use as a sea kayaking guide and expedition paddler/ freelance outdoor writer, check out my gear list!

1) Lester Park: Best & Closest Hiking Trail to Duluth

Looking for a beautiful hiking trail just outside of Duluth with views of Lake Superior, waterfalls and more? Head to Lester Park. In the summer, Lester Park is easily one of the best hiking trails in Duluth! In the winter, it transforms into a beautiful and well-maintained cross country ski trail.

Don’t forget your Great Minnesota Ski Pass! Both my partner (Andy) and I use Rossignol OT Cross Country Skis.

2) Jay Cooke State Park

Just 20 minutes outside of Duluth, Jay Cooke State Park is one of the best places to hike, catch fall color, and chase waterfalls! One of the most popular viewpoints in Jay Cooke State Park is the historic Swinging Bridge. In the spring, come as the snow melts to walk on the bridge with floodwaters rushing below! Venture out at your own risk, and be sure to abide by park closures.

The St. Louis River flooding in spring melt.

In the winter, check out the parks winter hiking, snowshoe, and cross country ski trails! At this trail, you’ll need a Minnesota State Parks Pass.

3) Pattison State Park

At a half hour’s drive from Duluth, Pattison State Park is has the best easy hiking trails near Duluth for beautiful waterfalls and fall color. Pattison boasts one of the tallest waterfalls in the Midwest, Big Manitou Falls. Many trails in this park are paved, and several are ADA-accessible. Make sure to make a trip to Little Manitou Falls as well!

Waterfalls in Pattison State Park.

In the winter, Pattison State Park has 5.5 miles of groomed cross country ski trails as well as snowshoe trails, making it one of the best places to visit near Duluth in the winter as well! At this trail, you’ll need a Wisconsin State Parks Pass.

4) Lost Creek Falls

Looking for an easy hike to a beautiful waterfall Glen an hour and a half from Duluth? Lost Creek Falls in Cornucopia, Wisconsin is just two miles round trip, and the perfect spot for a day trip! Hike this quick and easy trail, then have a picnic on the beautiful Cornucopia Beach.

Lost Creek Falls.

5) Apostle Islands Sea Caves Trail (Lakeshore Trail)

While most Duluthians head up the North Shore, the Apostle Islands area of Wisconsin is just an hour and a half drive away, and just as beautiful. The Apostle Islands Lakeshore Trail features overlooks of the sea caves below, and is incredible to hike at sunset! Around sunset, this trail is treated to views of the sun setting over Lake Superior with the cliffs lit orange by the setting sun.

Views on the Sea Caves Trail.

This hike is an out and back and generally considered moderate. It’s about two miles to the first of the sea caves, and from there you can hike out as far as you want. In general, young children might find this route challenging. At this trail, you’ll need to pay a $5 parking fee.

Check out 30 Things to do in the Apostle Islands

6) Bass Lake Trail (Ely, MN)

Looking for a unique adventure two hours drive from Duluth? Ely, Minnesota is a little bit of a long haul from Duluth, but it’s absolutely worth it. At six miles, the Bass Lake Trail offers views of Bass Lake from above, beaches, nearby campsites, and the crown jewel of the hike Dry Falls, a double tiered waterfall with a perfect swimming pool in the center.

Hiking the Bass Lake Loop.

This hike can be crowded on hot summer days so arrive early or late, and consider visiting later in the season.

7) Split Rock Lighthouse State Park

One of the most incredible place to hike near Duluth is Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. Here, you can find both long hiking trails with stony beach overlooks and small peaks over Lake Superior, or shorter loops featuring views of the iconic Split Rock Lighthouse.

Pictured: Hot chocolate at Day Hill Lookout with classic Stanley Thermos.

While most visitors stick to the shorter loops, head up the three-mile loop to Day Hill for beautiful views of both Lake Superior and Split Rock Lighthouse. In addition to summer hiking, the park also offers excellent groomed snowshoe trails, making it one of the best places for winter hiking near Duluth!

To hike in Split Rock Lighthouse State Park you’ll need a Minnesota State Parks Pass.

8) Bean and Bear Loop: Most Iconic Hiking Trail near Duluth

Looking for one of the most iconic overlooks near Duluth? Bean and Bear loop, an almost seven mile round trip loop, takes hikers above the beautiful Bean and Bear Lakes and features lovely overlooks of Lake Superior, beaver ponds, and of course, Bean & Bear Lakes. This route is heavily-trafficked in the fall, and very popular for a one-night overnight trip. If you plan on camping, arrive early!

Pictured right to left: Hiking Bean and Beaer Loop wearing my Oboz Bridger mids and Darn Tough Vermont socks, Icebreaker baselayers, and Granite Gear Perimeter Pack.

Check out the best hiking trails on the North Shore!

9) Gooseberry Falls

For one of the most iconic Minnesota waterfalls and some of the best easy hiking near Duluth, head up to Gooseberry Falls State Park. While this is one the most popular state parks in the area, it’s popular for a reason! Gooseberry Falls has a number of easy hiking loops with waterfall views. In the winter, the park has some excellent intermediate cross country skiing!

Gooseberry Falls in Spring Melt.

For this trail, you’ll need a Minnesota State Parks Pass.

10) Mount Trudee: Best Difficult Hiking Trail near Duluth

While most Duluth hikers head to Bean & Bear, head to Mount Trudee instead! This difficult hike can be 6-8 miles depending on route and starting point and can be accessed from Tettegouche State Park. My personal preference is to opt for a longer route beginning from the back parking lot of Tettegouche. This route takes you past beautiful lake overlooks and eventually up and up to the inland overlook of Mount Trudee.

Views from Mount Trudee

Trudee offers views of Lake Superior in one direction, and inland lakes in every other as well as the stunning Palisade Valley below. You are unlikely to see many other hikers on this trail due to the length, difficulty, and that it is simply less know. To hike this trail, you’ll need a Minnesota State Parks Pass.

11) Lakewalk

Instead of hitting the woods, hit the downtown Duluth Lakewalk for a trail along the side of Lake Superior. This seven miles of trails is perfect for Duluth runners or people looking to get outside and move without driving very far.

12) Amnicon Falls State Park

For fairytale-like waterfalls just a half hour from Duluth, head to Amnicon Falls State Park! In this Wisconsin State Park, you can find a beautiful covered bridge, mossy cliff walls, campsites and more! For this hike, you’ll need a Wisconsin State Park Pass.

Views of Amnicon Falls.

13) Shovel Point: Best Easy Hiking Trail near Duluth

If you’re looking for one of the prettiest hiking trails near Duluth, check out the Shovel Point Trail in Tettegouche State Park! This incredible trail is just over one-mile in length and accessible from the Tettegouche Visitor’s Center. While likely to be busy in summer months, this trail is absolutely worth it and one of the best hiking trails near Duluth in any season!

Views from Shovel Point.

In the summer, enjoy placid Lake Superior views and watch fog roll in off the lake below. In the fall, enjoy a mid-october fall color show. By the winter, you can enjoy beautiful ice formations along the point, especially stunning in early morning, but remember your ice spikes!

14) High Falls on the Baptism River

While Gooseberry Falls might be the most popular waterfall hike near Duluth, High Falls in Tettegouche State Park is easily one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the state of Minnesota! This four-mile round trip trail is often considered to be moderate. In the summer, the hike to the waterfall can be crowded so arrive early in the morning or later in the afternoon. By Fall, the crowds on this hiking trail thin out.

High Falls in the summer versus High Falls in the winter.

Hiking to High Falls is also incredible in the winter, but the trail is likely to be very icy. Most likely snowshoes will not be helpful as the trail gets lots of traffic; opt for microspikes instead. For this hike, you’ll need a Minnesota State Park Pass.

Personally, this is my favorite winter hiking adventure from Duluth is to start the morning with sunrise at Palisade Head, then hike to High Falls in the afternoon. On the way home, I stop for an early dinner at Rustic Inn.

15) Caribou Falls

If you’re looking for a quick hike to an impressive waterfall, check out Caribou Falls. This easy but beautiful hiking trail is almost an hour and a half from Duluth, but because it is located along Highway 61, it pairs well with any of the other North Shore hikes to make an easy hiking day trip for anyone Duluth-based.

The Caribou Falls Hike is less than a mile, and state waysides are free to park at.

16) Split Rock River

For a unique and beginner-friendly hike to a waterfall, check out the Split Rock River Wayside. This trail features access to a Lake Superior Beach as well as hiking trails to several falls on the Split Rock River. While within State Parks a parking fee is required, parking at stat waysides is free.

Winter hiking near Split Rock River wayside wearing handknit sweaters.

In order to avoid parking within Split Rock State Park, one could technically park here at the wayside then hike in by crossing the road to access the trail system on the Lake-side of Highway 61. There are some really beautiful trails out this way, and it makes for a nice and long hike to Split Rock Lighthouse then back to the wayside. These trails on the far south side of Split Rock Lighthouse State Park are some of my personal favorites, with beautiful Lake Superior Beaches and several lovely rock outcroppings.

Where can I learn more about exploring the Midwest?

For 300+ pages on hiking, places to eat, waterfalls, beaches, and more hidden gems throughout the midwest, check out the Exploring the Midwest eBook Bundle!

Love reading about the best hiking trails near Duluth? You’ll love learning…

• 30 Best Things to Do on the North Shore
• 13 Winter Adventures on the North Shore
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