Snowshoeing the North Shore
There is no better way to experience the North Shore in winter. Strap on a pair of snowshoes and head out into the white woods. It’s quiet and it’s slow. You can see and hear wildlife. You can stay on well-marked trails or head off into the woods. and make your own trail.
Snowshoe trails are user-groomed. After a big snowfall, you may be the first person on the trail and will be working hard. If it’s been a week or two since the last big snow, you’ll be able to follow a well-packed trail.
Snowshoeing isn’t for everyone. But it might be for you. Fortunately, there are many places on the North Shore to rent snowshoes and try it out!
Where to go
At Jay Cooke State Park, rent snowshoes in the park office and take off on designated trails near the park office or at Ogantz Point.
In Duluth, head for Hartley Nature Center where you can rent snowshoes for use in the park.
Gooseberry Falls State Park has a designated 2.5 mile snowshoe trail, the Gitchi Gummi Trail that loops around the east side of the river. Bring your own snowshoes. After your adventure, warm up by the fireplace.
At Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, rent snowshoes at the park office and explore the trails that depart from the Trail Center facility. Afterwards, warm up inside the trail center.
At Tettegouche, rent snowshoes at the park office and explore around the mouth of the Baptism River. For deeper snow, drive up to the end of the park road and explore.
Temperance River State Park has no rentals, but there is a vast network of trails to explore. These trails had been maintained for skiing but are no longer groomed, so they are wide and safe for snowshoeing, and you’ll get away from the crowds.
Grand Portage State Park rents snowshoes. The trail to the High Falls of the Pigeon River is an easy half-mile snowshoe trek. For a real challenge, take the Middle Falls trail to the scenic overlook.
Bag a mountain! The most popular peaks on the North Shore attract many snowshoers. Carlton Peak and Oberg Mountain both have steep shorter trails reaching their summits. If this is your first time out, wait until others have packed these steep trails.
Go Superior! All 200+ miles of the Superior Hiking Trail are open in the winter for snowshoeing. Some sections are more popular than others. In addition to the summits of Oberg and Carlton, look for good snowshoeing on the SHT in the Duluth area, Britton Peak area and Magney State Park area. In winter, many of the SHT trailhead parking lots are not plowed, so plan accordingly.
Where to rent snowshoes
Sugarloaf: The North Shore Stewardship Association · Copyright 2012