All north shore campsites in the Minnesota DNR's state parks reservation system are available now for advance registration. Learn how to plan ahead and secure your great sites … read more

For many, the famous lighthouse IS the North Shore, but Split Rock Lighthouse State Park is a gem that few visitors explore beyond the iconic beacon. Learn insider tips for enjoying the park. … read more

There has been a change on the Superior Hiking Trail from Gooseberry State Park to the Split Rock River Wayside. Now, you’ll now walk along the Gitchi Gami State Bike Trail to cover the distance … read more

Nestled in a forest near the beach on scenic and wild Bear Head Lake, the new building is bright and welcoming. Running water, an indoor fireplace and comfort are available before and after your adventures. … read more

Our winter snow is finally melting and water is plunging down the fabulous streams of the North Shore. Quiet and pretty summertime waterfalls are now muddy, raging torrents. It’s a great time to explore! … read more

It's not a complete year of North Shore skiing for me until I've been out on the winding, wild trails of Gooseberry State Park near Two Harbors. Here's why I keep coming back and why you might, also. … read more

Just in the last few days, the waterfalls of the North Shore, from Duluth to Grand Portage, have shed their curtains of ice and are starting to roar. … read more

The State Parks are back! Take this weekend to reacquaint yourself with the deep pockets of scenery and nature in the North Shore parks. To the High Falls High Falls of the Baptism, May 2011, from Flickr Recent rains have lifted North Shore streams out of their summer slumber. With the shutdown over and the park gates open again, head deep into Tettegouche State Park for the short walk to the High Falls of the Baptism River.   At approximately 70 feet tall, this the highest waterfall completely in Minnesota...the High Falls of the Pigeon River at Grand Portage are taller, but are shared … read more

It's one of the North Shore's best viewpoints. It's just a short hike in along good trails. And chances are, you've never been there. But you'll definitely want to hike to the top. Right in the heart of Split Rock Lighthouse State Park is Day Hill, named after the Duluthian Frank Day. It's a classic anorthosite knob, like Carlton Peak and Mount Trudee. The top is almost 250 feet above Lake Superior, so you're looking down on the entire park shoreline, including Split Rock Lighthouse, which looks tiny but dramatic about a mile away. Day Hill is famous for its lone fireplace. … read more

Sally and I went for a lovely ski this week up at Gooseberry Falls State Park. We skied nine kilometers of freshly-groomed ski trail through the park's backcountry. And had quite a thrill along the way, reconnecting us with wild places and wild creatures. Gooseberry has three main areas of ski trails. On the lake side of Highway 61 is a long loop through the campground and by the river. On the inland side of Highway 61, there's a large and complex network of trails on the east side of the river. On the west side of the river, there … read more