Split Rock Lighthouse State Park
& MN Historical Site
are on Hwy 61 about 48 miles from Duluth, and 20 miles from Two Harbors
218-226-6372
MN Historical Society Visitor Center
Lighthouse open mid-May through mid-October
fee [$0-$9] charged to visit
Visitor Center open year-round with limited winter hours
218-226-6377
State Park Office
Mon-Fri, 8am - 4:00pm
click on a park name & go!
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The horrific
shipwrecks of 1905 fueled the demand for
a lighthouse along Superior's North Shore. The amazing construction process
was completed in 1910, and the light at Split Rock shone until 1969. The
history center's superb displays, exhibits, and video presentations showcase
the evolution of the lighthouse. For a glimpse of this remote lifestyle,
include a visit to the lighthouse keeper's home and outbuildings. The 20-minute tour is excellent! (Did
they really sleep in those little beds?) The path leading southwest down
to Lake Superior presents a distinctive view of the lighthouse and remnants
of the lift that was used to haul supplies up from the lake. Climb the
short, steep circular stairs to the top of the lighthouse. Spend some
time at this historic treasure!
Split Rock
Lighthouse State Park,
a separate entity from the Lighthouse, encompasses the land surrounding
the historic site. The
park offers wonderful trails, cart-in campsites, cobblestone
beaches, fishing and cross-country skiing. |
Historical Sites
Split Rock Lighthouse and the surrounding 25 acres and buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places, Split Rock is operated by the MN Historical Society
Picnic Area
tables with both, open & enclosed shelters along shores of Lake Superior; the enclosed shelter may be rented by calling the office
Hiking
12 miles; part of the Superior Hiking Trail; trails down to Lake Superior, up the river and through the adjacent woods with 6 miles of self-guided trails passing by many historic sites of interest
Mountain Biking
6 miles; hard-packed dirt trails follow the xc ski trails |
Building Split Rock Lighthouse |
Fishing
in the
Split Rock River and on Lake Superior; trout stamp required with
MN Fishing license
Camping
| most
sites open mid-May to early-October |
2
handicapped accessible sites |
| 20 cart-in sites (carts
provided...within 2000' of parking) |
4 backpack sites, 2
for use by kayakers ... from 1/2-2 miles from parking lot |
| firewood and ice are
sold at the park |
public phones |
| handicapped accessible
toilets and showers |
vault toilets |
| DNR Campground Map |
Click for info on Reservations |
Cross-country
Skiing
13K; all groomed
for classic (diagonal) stride with a warming house
Snowshoeing
anywhere in the park except on the xc ski trails
DNR Winter Map
and DNR Summer Map of
Split Rock Lighthouse State Park |
Celebrating our 103rd Anniversary
1910-2013 |
SPECIAL EVENT
Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Beacon Lighting
November
10th:: noon - 6 pm :: fee charged
Each year Split Rock Lighthouse marks the anniversary of the loss of the
Edmund Fitzgerald with a public program that includes a reading
of the names of the 29 men who lost their lives on the Fitzgerald
on November 10th, 1975. The lighthouse, an aid to Lake Superior navigation
for 59 years (1910 - 1969), is normally closed during the winter, but
is reopened for this event culminating with a lighting of the beacon
at dusk.
Schedule
Visitor Center, Lighthouse & Fog Signal Building open to the public
20-minute Edmund Fitzgerald video played continuously in the Visitor Center Theater
4:30 pm Lighthouse temporarily closes while the names of the 29 lost crew members are read
Beacon Lighting
directly after ceremony and the tower once again opened for visitors to tour
Areas to View the Beacon
Lighting
Best
if you want to attend or view the Bell Ringing Ceremony
*Observation Deck between
the Fog Signal Building and the Lighthouse*
*The
lawn below the Fog Signal Building*
Best
if you want to get scenic photos of the beacon's lighting
*On the beach below
the Lighthouse - you walk the beach trail from the Trail
Center - flashlights are recommended*
*The
Pumphouse/Dock Site area at the base of the Tramway Stairs below
the Lighthouse*
Admission & Parking
Admission
to the Historic Site is charged.
Parking at the Historic Site is free for visitors paying admission.
For people only visiting the State Park, a State Park vehicle permit is required. |
Here are links to everything you need for your next North Shore visit!
Created and updated on a hill outside of Grand Marais, overlooking Lake Superior by NinaWorks!
All Text, Images and Content Copyright © 2013
NorthShoreVisitor.com / Nina Simonowicz
All Rights Reserved
Download and print the
2013 North Shore Visitor brochure ->
the best free print guide to
MN's North Shore of Lake Superior,
and the pdf is interactive!
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