Winter on the North Shore of Lake Superior is incredible. Frozen waterfalls, icescapes, and snow make for picture perfect and Instagram-worthy moments! Here are 20 photo locations and ideas for winter photography on Minnesota’s North Shore:

Best Winter Photography Locations/Ideas on the North Shore:

In general, one of the best things about winter photography on Minnesota’s North Shore is that the sun rises late and sets early; this gives you plenty of good light to work with without waking up early or staying up too late. Winter on the North Shore is also the time of year when the sun rises and sets over Lake Superior.

Looking for the best camping, hiking, waterfalls, and road trip routes on the North Shore? Check out the Exploring the North Shore eBook and Interactive Map!

20) Split Rock Sunrise

Looking for what’s sure to be a slow burn and a stunner? Catch a sunrise at Split Rock Lighthouse on Lake Superior.

Split Rock Lighthouse is easily one of the most Instagrammable photo locations on the North Shore, and is especially stunning in the winter. It’s just a short walk from the parking lot to prime sunrise viewing locations, so you don’t have to worry about braving the elements for long!

19) Frozen High Falls

For me, one of the coolest things about winter photography on the North Shore is the frozen waterfalls. High Falls in Tettegouche State Park is one of the most impressive falls to visit frozen.

I took this photo in early December of 2020, and I wiped out on the way down the icy steps in front of several other groups of people. Embarrassing. Winter hiking and photography is awesome and fun, but it definitely requires different gear from what you would wear in the summer.

18) Ice Encased Plants

While some photographers and Instagrammers hunt for the big landscapes, others focus on the small stuff. Every winter, little plants near the shore of Lake Superior become completely encased in ice, making for incredible ice sculptures like the one pictured below.

(Okay but for real, this kind of looks like winter is giving me the middle finger, right?)

17) The Lighthouse Shot (Two Harbors, Grand Marais)

Beyond Split Rock, both the Grand Marais and Two Harbors lighthouses also look real pretty in their winter pearls. Pictured below is the Grand Marais lighthouse surrounded in interesting ice formations. Not only is it magical to experience, but there is tons of artistic inspiration to work with.

If I had to chose only one place to photograph all winter, I would pick the Grand Marais Lighthouse.

16) Cascade River State Park

Is moody fairyland more your speed? Zip over to Cascade River State Park and check out any one of seven very Instagram-worthy waterfalls. Watch out for river otter as you hike!

Cascade River State Park is also home to the Lookout Mountain Overlook, a quick and easy hike or snowshoe to an east facing (sunrise!) overlook. If you’re planning on hiking out after a sunrise, I recommend hiking early in the morning right after a fresh snow to get maximum snow covered magic.

15) Winter Camping on the Gunflint Trail

If hardcore winter is more your style, rent a winter tent from Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply and venture out into the cold. Between the northern lights, frosty sunrises, roaring fires, and wildlife, winter camping is one of the most instagramable winter activities on the North Shore.

While winter camping is beautiful, it’s also a lot of work. I recommend going with a group of at least three people, and always bring someone with winter camping experience.

14) Icescapes on the Grand Marais Breakwater

Looking for ices capes that are out of this world? Head over to the Grand Marais breakwater and look carefully. Here, Lake Superior coats the rocks near the water in elaborate ice formations.

With icescapes, sunrises and sunsets, and the Grand Marais Lighthouse, you really can’t go wrong with a walk out to Artists Point on the Grand Marais Breakwater.

13) Frozen Tombolo

If you love ice but hate crowds, cruise up 61 to the Superior Hiking Trail Lake Walk. Along this section of trail, you’ll find “the tombolo”, or a little island that was once connected to the shore.

The Tombolo and Superior Hiking Trail Lake Walk are great for sea scapes and ice photography, but also really lovely spots for shooting portraits in front of Lake Superior.

12) Sea Smoke on the Lake

When the air gets cold enough, Lake Superior undergoes rapid evaporation leading to incredible sea smoke! In order to find sea smoke, temperatures need to be well below zero.

In the photo above, photographer Emily ( @emksks on Instagram) photographs sea smoke over Lake Superior with a crescent moon setting behind her.

11) Frozen Kadunce River

Beyond the classic frozen waterfalls of the North Shore lies the heavily-instagrammed Kadunce River. With multiple waterfalls, gorges, and even a hidden slot canyon, the Kadunce is a winter photographer and ice climbers paradise!

Remember to tread lightly on frozen rivers! While the Kadunce River is relatively shallow, you still would not want to break through the ice.

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10) Winter Moonrise

What could be more magical than a winter moonrise? A full moon rising on the Gunflint Trail after a fresh snow, perhaps.

Seriously though, the moon is one of my favorite things to photograph year round, but something about that winter moonrise is just so darn special. For moonrise photography, I recommend a lens with a decent amount of zoom to capture detail and a larger moon. Personally, I shoot with mid-range Canon Camera body and this lens here.

You can learn more about my camera setup here!

9) Frozen Barrier Falls on the Devil Track River

When most hikers head to the State Parks for frozen waterfalls, head instead to the Devil Track river to Barrier Falls. For this hike, I recommend either backcountry skies or snowshoes! Either can be rented from Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply in downtown Grand Marais.

Be extra cautious when it comes to ice thickness on the Devil Track River. While neighboring rivers might freeze solid by January, the Devil Track River is deeper. I recommend consulting a local outfitter about ice thickness before heading out.

8) Hoarfrost

In early winter when there’s still moisture in the air, hoarfrost can form and cover trees and the ground. While not very common, when this happens it’s a photographers dream!

To spot or predict hoarfrost, look for a combination of high humidity or fog and freezing temperatures.

7) Winter Gales on Lake Superior

Photographing waves has got to be one of the most Instagramable Lake Superior phenomenons. There’s nothing more incredible than bundling up and witnessing massive waves smash into cliffs.

For all of it’s beauty, photographing waves on Lake Superior can also be dangerous. On October 24th, 2017, three people were swept off of Black Rocks in Marquette, Michigan when watching the waves. Two of them died; another was lucky to get out alive.

In the photo above, a long focal length was used to create the illusion that the hiker in the photo is much closer to the wave than she actually is.

6) Temperance River Gorge

If you’re searching for family friendly fun and a canyon to rival the West, head to the Temperance River State Park!

This unique spot is easily one of the most Instagramable State Parks on the North Shore of Minnesota!

5) Snow Covered Pines

Nothing says “winter wonderland” quite like snow covered pines! Strap on some snowshoes and head into the woods after a fresh snow for that magical wintery vibe.

For beautiful photos of winter pines, I recommend heading up the Gunflint Trail, hiking on the Superior Hiking Trail near Pincushion Mountain, or Cascade River State Park.

4) Moose of the Gunflint

Winter in the Boundary Waters means salt licking season for moose, so be ready to hit the brakes if you’re headed up the Gunflint Trail!

When photographing wildlife, remember to stay in your car and be respectful of the animals involved. Leaving your car endangers both you and the animal. If moose become accustomed to people, it becomes more likely that it will linger around roads and be hit by cars.

When watching wildlife, remember that if that animal changes its behavior at all, you are too close and need to back off and drive away.

3) Winter Photographers in Action

Spend some time capturing your friends and other photographers out enjoying the winter!

Personally, my favorite thing to photograph is humans interacting with their environment. I love capturing and sharing moments that inspire others to get outside, and creating images that say something not just about a pretty landscape, but also about humans and the way that we see that landscape.

2) Skiing Shots

If you love winter in Minnesota, then you probably love skiing. Next time you head out, grab your camera and make some picture perfect photos as well.

On the North Shore, Pincushion Mountain is a popular cross country skiing location. Alternately, through on a pair of backcountry skies, pick up a McKenzie map, and head up one of the many frozen North Shore rivers and chart your own adventure! (Ice conditions permitting, of course!)

1) A Grand Marais Sunrise

There’s no place like a Grand Marais winter sunrise. If only one thing makes your winter photography bucket list, make it a sunrise in Grand Marais.

Love making your Winter Photography Bucket List? Here are some other articles you’ll love:

• Paths Less Travelled: All (yes all) of the trails I hiked this autumn and why
• Nine Winter Hiking Essentials that you Need
• The 12 best hiking trails on Minnesota’s North Shore

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Love Grand Marias? Check out A Hiker’s Guide to the North Shore, a PDF digital download featuring notes on all my favorite hiking trails along the shore!

A Hiker’s Guide to the North Shore is available via Hello Stranger by Maddy , a newsletter blog highlighting Midwest Travel & Adventure. Paying subscribers help support free content and trail guides like the trail guide you just finished reading!