Adventure With Julia

Spend your vacation next to the largest lake in the world with this 2-day itinerary! This is a perfect segment of a larger road trip around Superior. If you love to be active this is for you! Hike to waterfalls, bike the trails, eat the local favorites, and more with this outdoorsy itinerary. I traveled using an RV, but there are plenty of small lodges along the way if that is more your style. This is an overview of our trip, but it is just a rough outline. Use these ideas and organize a tour that fits your needs. 

Day 1

We stayed at Black Beach Campground while in Silver Bay. It is right off the highway about a half-mile walk from the water. If you stay here, I recommend booking a sight as far from the road as possible to limit the noise of passing cars. Our day began with breakfast at the campsite, followed by a walk to the beach. The rocky beach at the campground is beautiful and curves out in a crescent shape. There is a small island ahead of it enhancing the view. To the right, there is a small hill that you can hike to see the lake from atop the rocks. I chose to adventure further up following the short trail. Eventually, I found a unique viewpoint where the ground appears cut in half. The gap was large enough for a canoe to fit through, and we met people who explored inside.

After spending the morning at the campground, we hopped on our bikes to view the nearby sights. If you do not have bikes, there are several places nearby that rent them. There is no bike trail in the northern direction, but the road has plenty of space to bike along the side. If you are not a biker, you can easily take a car to all the destinations.

Our first stop was at Palisade Head which was about a 2.5-mile bike ride mostly downhill. When we arrived we left our bikes at the bottom in the parking lot and walked a short distance up the paved road until reaching the top. The views are gorgeous and very unique. The lake is so large that it feels as if you have made it to the edge of the world. From here, I could see huge rock cliffs down the lake shore. It is truly a unique place and well worth the short hike. It gives you a perspective of how large the lake truly is.

After exploring the lakeside, we got on our bikes and rode 1.7 miles to Tettegouche State Park. The beauty of this park was astounding. First, we hiked to the High Falls. The trail was relatively easy and marked well. At the end, the trail leads to a large waterfall which was much prettier than I expected. I walked through the chilly water and sat on a log near the waterfall for a serene view. During our visit, we enjoyed relatively little crowds and nice weather making the stop more enjoyable. After enjoying the waterfall my skin had turned pink from how cold the water was. Worth it!

On the hike back we had enough energy left and took around 200 steps to the low falls. This waterfall was pretty, but not as grand as the first. I still recommend hiking to it if you have the time and energy. Overall this State Park was gorgeous and a must-see for visitors. 

After a day of adventure, we returned to the campground to relax by the lake. I was lucky enough to meet someone who had a kayak and let me borrow it! I paddled to the island by the beach and saw the lake from within. The water is clear and I could see about 30 feet down. The bottom is covered by huge rocks about 5 feet wide. The massive stones surprised me and were something I would not have known about without the chance to kayak. If you have kayaks, especially blow-up ones, I recommend spending your evening exploring the coast. It opens your eyes to the beauty of the shoreline.

Day 2

Start the day by watching the sunrise! Just do it! Even if you aren’t a morning person, it is worth it. From Black Beach, the sun rises directly across the lake and lights up the small island. The whole earth seems to have a golden glow, and the water looks incredibly sparkly. We prepared breakfast then brought it down and ate at the picnic table. This site is worth waking up early and starts the day off on the right foot. 

Next, we drove to Gooseberry State Park. This park is well known and can be pretty busy, particularly at the waterfall. Even with the crowd, it is worth a visit. We viewed the waterfall from both the upper and lower trails. The upper allows for a unique perspective and a pleasant walk. We had the energy and followed the trail through the forest and to the lake. There is a small beach to enjoy, or a path to continue to walk along the water. There are so many places to explore making this an activity that can take most of the day.

Before continuing with our road trip, we ate lunch at Grand Superior Grill. After a long hike, this was a great place to recharge and enjoy lake views. If you like cheese curds, try them here! They came as cubes which is something I have never seen. As a Wisconsinite, I can confirm they are still good in cube form. 

Overall, our time here was amazing and we loved being in nature. Be prepared and bring plenty of food because there are few restaurants around. If you get the chance to visit, use the time to disconnect from daily life and enjoy being in nature and with the people around you. Lake Superior is truly unique and a must-see for everyone.

Published 10/12/24 Written by Julia Gordee