You’ll find trailhead parking lots every five to ten miles, making it ideal for both day hikes and overnight camping. 93 back country campsites offer a one of a kind outdoor experience with no fees, reservations or permits required. Eight state parks and ten communities have even more camping or a cozy lodge to sleep in between hikes.

Spruce Creek campsite north of Lutsen

Campsites like this one are well marked and usually a short distance off the trail.

Countless creeks like Spruce Creek provide drinking water

The Superior Hiking Trail Association builds and manages the trail with the help of hundreds of dedicated volunteers who constantly maintain signage, steps and bridges. Their hard work along with the stunning mix of high vistas, deep gorges and raging waterfalls, has earned the Superior Hiking Trail a place among the top hiking trails in the nation.

A steep descent to the Cascade River

Scenic overlook at Cascade River State Park

View of the Cascade River Valley

Scenery along the trail can quickly change from lush, forested valleys to bare rock vistas

A great way to get acquainted with the natural beauty of this trail is to try a day hike. The starting points are easily located following the mileposts along scenic Highway 61.

Read about running this trail: A Runner’s Guide to Minnesota’s North Shore

Start at the Otter Lake Road trailhead north of Hovland. Hike on both the Border Route Trail and the Superior Hiking Trail on a short section shared by both trails. The destination is a fantastic vista overlooking the Swamp and Pigeon River Valleys and the US-Canadian border at the end of the Superior Hiking Trail.

Photo op after a successful through-hike of the Superior Hiking Trail

Park at the Kadunce River Wayside located at Highway 61 milepost 120.2, north of Grand Marais. Cross the highway and take the spur trail 0.9 miles along the beautiful Kadunce River Gorge to the bridge. Hike back the same way.

The Kadunce River Wayside makes for a popular day hike

Park at the County Road 58 Trailhead located 0.7 miles north from Highway 61 milepost 113.8, north of Grand Marais. Hike along edge of a deep canyon and see Devil Track River far below, then descend to the river. Hike back the same way.

Park at Oberg Mountain Trailhead located 2.2 miles north on Forest Service Road 336 (Onion River Rd.) from Highway 61 milepost 87.5, north of Tofte. This moderate hike has nine spectacular overlooks.

Views of Oberg Lake on the Oberg Mountain spur of the Superior Hiking Trail

One of the many many scenic overlooks at Oberg Mountain

Park at the Britton Peak Trailhead located 2.7 miles north on County Road 2 (Sawbill Trail) from Hwy. 61 milepost 82.8 in Tofte. Hike to the summit of Carlton Peak with breathtaking views and return the same way.

Park at the Finland Recreation Center trailhead on County Road 7, east of Finland on State Highway 1. Hike to beautiful Egge Lake through maple forests and return the same way.

Park at the Penn Boulevard trailhead in Silver Bay. At Highway 61 milepost 54.3, turn north and continue on Outer Drive and Penn Boulevard for 2.1 miles to the parking lot. This loop goes to spectacular overlooks of Bean and Bear Lakes and back to the parking lot.

Bean Lake at Tettegouche State Park

Park at the Split Rock River Wayside at Highway 61 milepost 43.5. The Superior Hiking Trail travels along the scenic river past numerous falls for 2.5 miles, crosses the river on a bridge, heads back on the other side 2.5 miles, crosses Highway 61 and goes west on the paved Gitchi-Gami Trail to come to a box culvert under the highway that returns to the wayside.

A spur trail takes hikers down to the beach to enjoy views of the lighthouse at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park

Park at the Gooseberry Falls State Park Visitor Center parking lot at Highway 61 milepost 38.9. Take state park trail to Upper Falls, continue upstream on Fifth Falls Trail, cross the bridge at the Fifth Falls and return on the other side of the river to the visitor center.