Snowshoeing on the North Shore

Snowshoeing is winter hiking. Lash on a pair of these woven frames and you’ve commandeered the great outdoors. Venture out for an afternoon wildlife expedition. Track hares, shrews, wolves, deer, and ermine. Step soundlessly through the north woods, stopping to guess the width of a virgin pine, to listen to the chickadees, or just to savor the moment.

Lots of folks like to snowshoe the Superior Hiking Trail, but you can snowshoe anywhere. If the trail is also a groomed ski trail, walk on the sides, not on the tracked trail. Many resorts, shops, and ski areas rent snowshoes. Listed below are some suggested routes.

AllisonBreininger snowshoeSnowshoe Rental

Bell Sheep Homestead near Gooseberry Falls State Park

Split Rock Lighthouse State Park
office is staffed Fri-Sun 9 am- 4pm; call ahead on weekdays and staff will make an effort to meet you

Tettegouche State Park

Sawtooth Outfitters in Tofte

Lutsen Rec in Lutsen

Cascade Lodge in Lutsen

Stone Harbor in Grand Marais

Golden Eagle Lodge on the Gunflint Trail

Gunflint Lodge on the Gunflint Trail

Gunflint Pines on the Gunflint Trail

Several resorts offer snowshoes free for use by guests
Check out the Events page for Snowshoe workshops and guided walks

North Shore of Lake Superior and Gunflint Trail

Lester Park
From I-35, continue on London Road, drive north on 61st Avenue East, which turns into Lester River Road. 'Shoe through the park and adjacent golf course, avoiding tracked ski trails.

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Wolf Rock
From Hwy 61, drive north on County Road 106 (at junction with the Rustic Inn) which turns into 617 to the parking area. Make the big climb to Wolf Rock, then return or continue on as far as Gooseberry Falls State Park.

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All North Shore State Parks
Snowshoe any of the parks, but avoid groomed ski and snowmobile trails. Enjoy the amenities!

New for 2019/202 - Split Rock has a multi-use trail [cross-country skiers, fat bikers and snowshoers will share the 8.7-mile trail.

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Beaver River
A short hike from the highway in Beaver Bay, you can snowshoe on the river when the ice is thick enough.

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Caribou State Wayside
On Hwy 61 about 5-1/2 miles northeast of Little Marais. Make tracks up the river, into the woods to Sugarloaf Road.

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Carlton Peak
Carlton Peak can be accessed from Temperance River State Park or the Sawbill Trail

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Britton Peak
Britton Peak is a short trip up the Sawbill Trail from Tofte

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Sugarloaf Cove
Just Southwest of Schroeder, you can check out cool ice formations along lake superior and snowshoe or hike the woods at the Sugarloaf Nature Center.

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Sugarbush Snowshoe Trail
In Tofte and Lutsen
In Tofte, you can 'show to Carlton Peak or head east al the way to Oberg Mountain [see below]

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Onion River
The Onion River ascends from highway 61 near Lake Superior up to Oberg Mountain

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Oberg Mountain
From Hwy 61 in Lutsen, drive north on the Onion River Rd (Forest Rd 336) about 2 miles to parking. Snowshoe the Oberg loop or plan a longer winter hike to Moose Mountain at Lutsen Mountains, where you can take the gondola down or hike the last few miles.

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Superior National at Lutsen
Off Hwy 61 in Lutsen. Try out snowshoes on these rolling fairways and through the Poplar River valley woodlands.

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Sweetheart's Bluff
In Grand Marais at the Rec Park. The initial part of the trail from the campground is an easy place to shoe. You can also snowshoe throughout the campground and out to the shoreline.

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George Washington Memorial Pines
Snowshoe at up the Gunflint Trail (8 miles north of Hwy 61 on the Gunflint Trail), but stay off the ski track. Or, once the ice has set up, explore an inland lake on snowshoes.

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Devils Track River
Follow the Superior Hiking Trail along the Devils Track river gorge.

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Kodunce River State Wayside
On Hwy 61 about 8 miles northeast of Grand Marais. Hike the trail, the shoreline, and, if the river is frozen, up the river.

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High Falls
In Grand Portage State Park. An easy winter hike to the High Falls which leaves plenty of time to explore the lower trails.

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Check out these North Shore favorites

AmericInn Lodge & Suites of Two Harbors
Gunflint Lodge Premiere Wilderness Vacation Resort
AmericInn Lodge & Suites of Silver Bay by Wyndham
because words don't do it justice.

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