State Park and Trails
Camping, hiking, canoeing, skiing, snowshoeing, picnics — enjoy the great outdoors all year round.
Split Rock Lighthouse Historic Site is operated by the Minnesota Historical Society and Split Rock Lighthouse State Park is managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Because of this there are separated fees for both properties. If you wish to visit the State Park you must have a MN State Park Pass or Day Permit. If you are looking to visit the Lighthouse and Historic Site, MNHS has our admission structure.
The Historic site is 25 acres and surrounded by the 2,200 acre state park, which features a lakeshore picnic area, trail center, tent camping, and 14 miles of hiking, biking, snowshoe, and cross-country ski trails along the lakeshore and through the northern forest.
Camping
Whether you’re staying a week or a weekend, the park offers plenty of tent and drive-in camping sites for your enjoyment. There are 46 electric sites in the Shipwreck Creek Campground. For more detailed information about camping in the park visit the DNR website. If you plan to spend the night, make sure to make your reservation through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources ahead of time.
Hiking
A quarter-mile hiking trail to the lakeshore at the bottom of the cliff gets you up close and personal with Lake Superior. This trail is ideal for an afternoon adventure.
For a longer journey, the Superior Hiking Trail passes through Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, with spur trails leading to the lakeshore and the historic site. This popular trail is a 205-mile route, signed and well maintained, extending from Duluth to the Canadian border. All segments offer a variety of terrain and unmatched views of Lake Superior.
Water
For water travelers, canoeing and kayaking is a popular activity along the Lake Superior shoreline. See the Lake Superior State Trail for information on the incredible scenery, paddle-in campsites, and numerous adjacent state parks for exploration.
Driving, biking, skating, and more
The paved Gitchi-Gami State Trail can be enjoyed by bike, skate, or foot. A 17-mile section running from Gooseberry Falls State Park to Silver Bay takes travelers through the Split Rock Lighthouse State Park and offers a spur trail to the historic site and visitor center. On your way, make sure to stop and listen to the sounds of Lake Superior and grab a photo or two.
For car and motorcycle drivers, the famous Highway 61 along the North Shore Scenic Drive offers relaxation, points of interest, and unmatched natural beauty. With forests, rock formations, waterfalls, state parks, and lake views along the way, the highway and drive up the coastline from Duluth to Canada has been designated as a National Scenic Byway and an All-American Road.
