DULUTH, MINNESOTA

When my sister and I started planning our road trip, we were heading to Colorado.  Because of endless rain in the forecast, we decided to head to the only place in the US that didn't have rain in the forecast and that was Minnesota.  

To be honest, Minnesota had never been on my radar. After playing around on Pinterest, I realized that was a lot of beauty in Minnesota, especially along the North Shore. It wasn't long before I was packing and excited about heading to an area of endless waterfalls.

SUGARLOAF COVE ~ Schroeder, MN

Sugarloaf Cove is a 34-acre site located on the North Shore of Lake Superior, approximately 4 miles southwest of the town of Schroeder, Minnesota.

Here is the entrance to the trail leading to the lake.

SPLIT ROCK LIGHTHOUSE ~Two Harbors, Minnesota

The most dangerous piece of water in the world - A November gale that wrecked nearly 30 ships in 1905 prompted this rugged landmark's construction. When the U.S. Lighthouse Service completed Split Rock Light Station in 1910, it soon became one of Minnesota's best known destinations.

Nestled in a Minnesota State Park, Split Rock Lighthouse is one of the most photographed and visited spots in the state.  We decided not to stop at the lighthouse and visitor center though we did drive around the area. 

If you were to google Split Rock Lighthouse, you will see some amazingly beautiful photos of the lighthouse across the bay and that was the view we were after.

We almost had the entire place to ourselves.  There was only one family on the whole beach.

GOOSEBERRY FALLS STATE PARK ~ MINNESOTA

Gooseberry Falls was the first waterfall we came to our drive along the North Shore.  It's actually referred to as the gateway to the North Shore.  What a spectacular start on our journey to the Canadian border.

We arrived early in the morning allowing us to photograph the falls without a lot of people in them.  I understand that as it gets later in the day, it becomes very crowded so if you are a photographer and looking for great shots, make this your first stop.

AMAZING BLACK BEACH IN MINNESOTA (With Video)

When researching beaches along the North Shore of Minnesota, Black Beach kept showing up as a "must visit" beach.  Most of the directions said you would need to park by the road and walk to the beach.  It is privately owned and even fenced in an effort to keep visitors out.  Apparently it didn't work and they gave up the effort because the area is now open to the public.

I'm always looking for different colors of beaches and every once in awhile you will run across a pink beach or black beach so I was excited to find this beach.

HOVLAND DOCK ~ MINNESOTA

This wasn't a planned stop and I'm not sure how we even ended up here but I'm so glad we did.  This is one of the places that a photographer dreams of.  Of course, you can never capture it's actual beauty but at least I will have photos to remind me of this particular spot along the North Shore.

Video at bottom of post.....

The massive concrete dock dates back to 1905 when Hovland was a thriving economic hub and the dock served as a loading/unloading site for passenger and cargo ships that traveled between Duluth and Canada, and all the way out to the ocean. 

There is a small area where you can park and walk out onto the dock. Apparently at one time they had planned to restore this are but it never happened. 

HOLLOW ROCK (Grand Portage), MINNESOTA

There is so many beautiful beaches to see along the North Shore of Minnesota and Hollow Rock is one of those beaches.

The best way to access this beach is from from Hollow Rock Resort, a cozy spot great for taking in some peace and quiet. We didn't stay at the resort but it looks like an amazing place to relax, fish, hike, or just read a book.