The shores of Lake Superior is one of the most underrated places to visit in the Midwest and home to some of the last true wilderness. Some of Lake Superior’s best hikes include sandstone cliffs, views of waterfalls, sea caves, incredible beaches, and so much more!

Why this blog? I’ve spent the last five years living on and exploring Lake Superior in all seasons! I work as a sea kayaking guide and freelance outdoor writer, and have lived and worked in a number of tourist towns along the lake. The Lake Superior shore is beautiful and home to some of the best hiking in the Midwest, and I’m happy to show you some of my favorite spots & hidden gems!

19 Best Day Hiking Trails on Lake Superior:

I’ve been lucky to live both on the North and South Shore of Lake Superior, and to have worked as a paddling guide throughout Lake Superior! Living and playing up here on the shore has completely solidified that the hiking on Lake Superior is some of the best in the Midwest. Here are the best hiking trails on the shores of Lake Superior (US side) for everyone from families to hardcore hikers:

Leave No Trace along Lake Superior:

Very generally Leave No Trace means exactly what it sounds like: leave nothing but footprints and take nothing but pictures. Along the shores of Lake Superior, remember to pack out all waste including food scraps and toilet paper. Proximity to the Lake means that all waste is washed quickly in to the Lake. Stay on the designated trails when hiking to avoid contributing to erosion. Follow all local park signage, and avoid creating new parking spots if a parking lot is full.

Note: This post contains affiliate links! That means if you choose to purchase something based on my recommendation, I make a small kickback at no additional cost to you.

What to pack for a Lake Superior Hiking Trip:

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.
• 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
• 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.

1) The Coves & Spray Falls, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Looking for the most beautiful swimming hole in Michigan? Look no further than the coves of the Pictured Rocks. This hike takes you 4-6 miles into the Beaver Basin Wilderness, with cliff views, incredible beach and cave swimming on Lake Superior, and views of Spray Falls cascading directly into Lake Superior. 

A Pictured Rocks pass is required within the National Lakeshore, and be aware that the cliffs are an active erosion zone. This trail is popular in summer months during the daytime.

2) Chapel-Basin Loop, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

The Chapel-Basin Loop is nearly 11 miles, and will take hikers past several waterfalls, to beautiful beaches, and out to the incredible Grand Portal Point and one of the most dramatic views in the Midwest. This hike may be difficult for beginner hikers and children. The Chapel-Basin Loop is extremely popular.

A Pictured Rocks pass is required within the National Lakeshore, and be aware that the cliffs are an active erosion zone. This trail is popular in summer months during the daytime.

3) Miner’s Beach Walk & Miner’s Falls, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Looking for the perfect family-friendly hike in the Pictured Rocks? Head out to Miner’s Beach! Swing by Miner’s Falls on your way for a quick 1-2 mile hike and a waterfall, then relax and walk the beach down to the unique rock formations at it’s end and seasonal Elliot Falls.

A Pictured Rocks pass is required within the National Lakeshore, and be aware that the cliffs are an active erosion zone. These trails are popular in summer months during the daytime.

Check out the best things to do in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

4) Bete Grise Beachwalk & Montreal Falls, Keweenaw

The Keweenaw Peninsula is one of most beautiful places in the state, with pristine beaches, incredible mountain biking trails, and waterfalls. Bete Grise beach just south of Copper Harbor offers one of the most beautiful white sand beach walks in the area, especially beautiful with the backdrop of the Keweenaw’s rolling hills. 

Nearby, hike the Bete Grise Preserve for wetlands and bird watching. Hiking to nearby Bare Bluff and Montreal Falls are both incredible hikes, but note that the road to reach the old trailhead is private and the gate is closed seasonally. This hike is rugged and long, and possible to do in one 15+ mile haul from Bete Grise Beach with walking portions along Smith Fisheries Road. Check local trail conditions before tackling. 

5) Brockway Mountain Scenic Drive (accessible), Keweenaw

Looking for an easy but beautiful hike in the Keweenaw? Take a scenic drive up Brockway Mountain. While not a traditional hike, this is a great way to get family members of all ages and abilities outside to appreciate the beauty of the Keweenaw Peninsula. This drive and it’s many lookouts show of beautiful Lake Superior and the highlands of the Keweenaw Peninsula!

6) Oak Island Trail, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

Looking for one of the most remote coastal hiking trails on Lake Superior? Head out to Oak Island in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.

This hike takes you through the wooded ravines of Oak Island out to a beautiful lookout with views of the Outer Islands and Lake Superior. The catch? Oak Island is hard to reach. Only accessible by boat with no ferry available, you’ll need to find a boat to get you out there. The crossing between Oak Island and Mainland can be extremely dangerous, but by far the best way to experience Oak Island is by kayak.

I recommend booking a guided overnight sea kayaking tour with Lost Creek Adventures, Trek & Trail, or Whitecap Kayak for a great Apostle Islands experience and a chance to hike this Oak Island trail. 

Check out the best things to do in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.

7) Apostle Islands Mainland Sea Caves Lakeshore Trail

Do you love sea caves, cliff views, and sunsets? Check out the Apostle Islands Mainland Sea Caves Lakeshore Trail in Cornucopia, WI for one of the most beautiful sunset hikes in the Midwest. 

This hike is an out and back and can be anywhere from 4 miles round trip to see most of the sea caves, to 10 miles or more to hike the trail in its entirety. Most people hike out to the “crack” cave and turn around. The Apostle Islands Lakeshore Trail faces west. The sandstone cliffs look especially incredible in the late afternoon light, so I recommend visiting after 4pm in the summer. This hike might be difficult for small children, but is generally attainable for any beginner hiker.

A small parking fee is required at Myers Beach. Note that while it may be tempting to take a recreational kayak or canoe out on Lake Superior, the National Park & Coast Guard strongly discourages it. From this launch spot it is impossible to tell what sea conditions will truly be like at the sea caves, and it would be a difficult, cold, mile or more swim back to the beach in the event of capsize.*

*I used to work as a sea kayaking guide out here and it was not uncommon that I or other guides had to rescue canoeists or recreational kayakers. 

8) Park Point Beachwalk, Duluth

Looking for Outer Banks vibes but in the big city? Check out Park Point in Duluth. This place is great for beach walking, picnics, and walking on the worlds largest freshwater sand bar. Neat!

Duluth, Minnesota is one of the best hiking destinations in the Midwest! Check out the Best Hiking Trails near Duluth.

9) Split Rock Lighthouse Day Hill, North Shore

Split Rock Lighthouse is probably one of the most photogenic Lighthouses in the world, but did you know there are great hiking trails beyond just the quick trail to the Lighthouse? Hike to Day Hill for beautiful views of Split Rock Lighthouse from above and especially sweeping views to the southwest of the shore.

Alternately, consider hiking along the shore to Corundum Point more lake views and a beautiful beach away from the crowds.

10) Palisade Head, North Shore

What do you think is the best view in the Midwest? It’s definitely up for debate, but the view from Palisade Head cliffs on the North Shore would definitely make the list. Whether you drive up to the top and walk around in the summer or hike up in the winter, the views from Palisade head can’t disappoint.

11) Shovel Point, North Shore

Not far from Palisade Head you’ll find the beautiful Shovel Point hike right on Lake Superior. This hike is located in beautiful Tettegouche State Park. This is one of the longest stretches you can hike directly on the Lake on the North Shore, and it features beautiful cliffside views of both Palisade Head directly to the south, and the cliffs and caves to the north.

This is one of the first place I took my sister when she came to visit and of all the hikes we did this was her favorite!

Tettegouche State Park has waterfalls, beautiful campsites, incredible overlooks, and so much more! Read about the hundreds of hiking trails in Tettegouche here!

12) Temperance River, North Shore

Temperance River State Park has some of the most beautiful hiking on Lake Superior! Experience the Temperance River Gorge by hiking the short path from the highway down to the Lake. From there, head up along the river to see the rapids, waterfalls, and catch just a glimpse of “Hidden Falls”, a beautiful waterfall tucked away in the Temperance’s slot canyon.

13) Britton and Carlton Peaks, North Shore

Just a short distance from Temperance River State Park are Britton and Carlton Peaks! Britton Peak is the shortest trail in the Sawtooth Mountains leading to an overlook of Lake Superior, and is family friendly! Carlton Peak is a 3-4 mile hike with moderate uphill leading to two separate peaks & overlooks. This is a great place to have a picnic and marvel at beautiful Lake Superior below. 

14) Cascade River State Park, North Shore

Looking for an incredible Lake Superior hike where you can see as many as seven waterfalls in about a mile? Head up to Cascade River State Park just south of Grand Marais, Minnesota. The beautiful waterfalls, hike up to Lookout Mountain with views of Lake Superior, and trail access to the Superior Hiking Trail make the hiking in Cascade River State Park easily some of the best hiking around Lake Superior. 

Check out a full guide to exploring the North Shore of Lake Superior in Minnesota

15) Pincushion Mountain, North Shore

While Grand Marais is one of the most popular Lake Superior vacation destinations, did you know that one of the prettiest hiking trails on Lake Superior is right outside of town? Head up to Pincushion Mountain, which boasts cross country ski trails in the winter and mountain biking in the summer in addition to a beautiful four mile hike out to an overlook of Lake Superior. 

This is one of the few hikes on the North Shore with only moderate elevation gain still leading to an excellent Lake overlook. 

16) Mount Rose, Grand Portage

Tucked away at Grand Portage National Monument, the short hike up to Mount Rose leads to beautiful views of Lake Superior, Grand Portage Island, and the historic Grand Portage fort below! Grand Portage National Monument is a must-visit for travelers looking to learn more about Indigenous Ojibwe history in the area and the story of Lake Superior.

17) High Falls, Grand Portage

High Falls in Grand Portage lies on the Border between the US and Canada and is the tallest waterfall (partially) in Minnesota. This hike is one of the best hikes along Lake Superior, and is especially beautiful to visit in the spring when the falls are full of meltwater. 

The hike out to the falls is paved and it is less than two miles round trip. 

18) Washington Harbor & Windigo, Isle Royale National Park

Want to get out to Isle Royale National Park, home to what is truly some of the best Lake Superior hiking, but don’t want to backpack? Catch a ride from Grand Portage out to Windigo and basecamp at Washington Harbor. A few days at Washington Harbor gives you time for a quick day hike up to Grace Creek Overlook, or a longer day hike of the Huginnin Cove Loop.

Check out a full guide to visiting Isle Royale National Park.

19) Escarpment Ridge, Porcupine Mountains State Park

If you’re looking for what is easily one of the prettiest fall color hikes in the Midwest, head out to the Porcupine Mountains and hop on the Escarpment Ridge Trail. You’ll likely find that most visitors stop at the Lake of the Clouds scenic area (which is, of course lovely), but if you continue east along the Escarpment Trail there are several more stunning views and overlooks that you can have completely to yourself!

The Porcupine Mountains are a set of ridges and the valley between just inland from Lake Superior, and they are truly a bucket-list hike for any midwest outdoors lover.

Check out a full guide to visiting the Porcupine Mountains here!

A Couple of Overrated Lake Superior Hikes to Skip:

While Lake Superior is inarguably home to some of the best hiking in the Midwest, as with anywhere you’ll find that some trails don’t live up to the hype. Here are a few trails to skip, and what to do instead:

Judge CR Magney

The Devil’s Kettle is a very popular North Shore hike, notable for a waterfall that splits in two, with it’s second half apparently vanishing into the rocks. While cool in theory, the mystery of Devil’s Kettle is in practice not all that mysterious, as the falls simply go underground momentarily and resurface not fall downstream. 

The hike itself features The Devil’s Kettle and another smaller waterfall. There are significant steps to get to the falls, and honestly there are just so many better hikes in the area that I would call this one a skip due to the steps and the crowds. Head up to Grand Portage instead and check out Mount Rose and High Falls. 

The only caveat to this is that in the winter the smaller set of falls on this hike is actually quite cool— you can get close enough to feel the mist on your face, and most of the water around the falls freezes but not the falls themselves. 

Munising Falls

With a trailhead right at the Pictured Rocks Visitor’s Center, Munising Falls is a popular stop for waterfall chasers in the Pictured Rocks. Unfortunately, it’s so crowded you’re unlikely to even get a good look at the falls in busy summer months. Skip this hike and instead delve straight into the park!

Love this article? Check out a these for more Lake Superior hiking ideas!

• Ultimate guide to Tettegouche State Park
• Great Lakes Fall Road Trip Route!
• Looking for a long read? Last summer I spent 70 days sea kayaking the Washington & British Columbia Coast!

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