This is the only place on the entire Lake Superior shoreline where you will find a black beach. So it’s worth the stop. This calm slice of shoreline gets its name from the taconite tailings [crushed rock] that make up the beach. Taconite is a hard rock that has low-grade iron ore and is found throughout northern Minnesota, especially on the Iron Range. When a nearby plant, crushed the rock to remove the iron, the remains were these tailings. So, prior to the 1950s this was a pebble beach. The plant was closed in the 1970s leaving behind this reminder.
There are different vantage points, so be sure to explore. It’s picturesque and a good spot to takes photos.Picnic tables and outhouses provided. This is an easy stop to make as it is just northeast of the stoplight on Highway 61 at Silver Bay. It’s a short mile down Lakeview Drive to the main parking.
