Fourth in a series, I’ve curated a list of the best hiking trails within 50 miles of Duluth, Minnesota. While Duluth is Minnesota’s fourth largest city with ~85,000 residents, you can easily find beautiful and secluded trails where you’ll feel like you’re miles away from civilization.
Best Minnesota hiking trails within 50 miles series
With 17.6 million acres of forest, Minnesota is home to the best hiking trails within an easy drive of all major cities and small towns. You’ll find plenty of day hike trails in Minnesota as well as more rugged trails for backpacking hikes such as the iconic and famed Superior Hiking Trail.
- Best hiking trails within 50 miles of the Twin Cities – Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota
- Best hiking trails within 50 miles of Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota
- Best hiking trails within 50 miles of Rochester, Minnesota
- Best hiking trails within 50 miles of Duluth, Minnesota
Best hiking trails in Duluth, Minnesota
You’ll find many of the best hiking trails right in Duluth, MN. I’ll update this post as I hike more of the best trails in and near Duluth.
Best hiking trails in Duluth, Minnesota: Superior Hiking Trail
One of the best hiking trails in and near Duluth and the North Shore of Minnesota in any season is the iconic 300+-mile Superior Hiking Trail (aka SHT). As its names implies, you’ll hike along rocky bluffs overlooking Lake Superior as well as through hardwood and evergreen forests and along rivers, ponds and waterfalls. Sections of the trail run through Duluth’s downtown area of Canal Park. The Superior Hiking Trail is perfect for long backpacking hikes, thru-hikes, trail running and day hikes.
Superior Hiking Trail trailheads in and near Duluth, MN
You’ll find several Superior Hiking Trail trailheads for day hiking in and near Duluth, Minn. Note that there are no backpacking campsites within Duluth city limits and they do not allow camping in undesignated areas either (i.e., no stealth camping). You’ll find mainly easy to moderate terrain on the Superior Hiking Trail in and near Duluth. And SHT offers a variety of options as Superior Hiking Trail features 52 miles of trails and 8 sections from Duluth to Two Harbors, Minn. From the Minnesota-Wisconsin border to Duluth, Superior Hiking Trail features 50.2 miles of trails and 14 sections. Many times the SHT joins state trails as well.
Check out the Superior Hiking Trail Association website for specific trailheads in and near Duluth, Minn.
Distance from Duluth: Superior Hiking Trail features several trailheads in and near Duluth, MN (mainly north, but 41 miles of this hiking trail runs south of Duluth from the Minnesota and Wisconsin border).
Trail length: Sections of the Superior Hiking Trail in and near Duluth, MN range from 1.5 miles to 10.9 miles.
Trail difficulty: Moderate
Admission: Admission to the Superior Hiking Trail and designated campsites are free.
Best hiking trails in and near Duluth, Minnesota: C.J. Ramstad / North Shore State Trail
The natural-surface C.J. Ramstad North Shore State Trail begins in Duluth, MN, ends in Grand Marais and covers 142 miles. Set in the rugged wilderness, you may cross paths with wildlife such as deer, bears and moose on this multi-purpose trail. This trail also gives you access to several of the North Shore state parks and the Superior National Forest.
Distance from Duluth: The C.J. Ramstad North Shore State Trails begins in Duluth, Minn.
Trail length: The total distance of the C.J. Ramstad North Shore State Trail between Duluth and Two Harbors, Minn. is 74 miles. You can pick and choose the length of your hiking trail (see mileage chart).
Trail difficulty: Easy to moderate.
Admission: Free admission to hike the C.J. Ramstad North Shore State Trail. Passes only required for horseback riders and snowmobilers.
Best hiking trails in Duluth, Minnesota: Duluth Lakewalk
One of the most popular hiking trails in Duluth is the beautiful Lakewalk, a 7.5-mile multipurpose trail of asphalt and boardwalk from Canal Park to Brighton Beach. Running alongside the stunning Lake Superior, you’ll pass access areas to beach and picnic areas, parks, rocky shoreline, ships, kayakers, lakefront restaurants, the aerial lift bridge and sometimes even surfers.
Distance from Duluth: Lakewalk is located in Duluth, MN.
Trail length: 7.5 miles
Trail difficulty: Easy
Admission: Free admission.
Best hiking trails in Duluth, Minnesota: Congdon Park
One of the best hiking trails in Duluth, Minn. is Congdon Park. The 1.2-mile trail runs along Tischer Creek and features a beautiful waterfall. And you have Chester Congdon to thank for this serene and beautiful trail. Tischer Creek ran through his property (he was building the historic Glensheen Mansion at the time in the early 1900s). Congdon donated part of his land and paid for the development of Congdon Park if the city promised to stop using the creek as a sewer. Thankfully, you can appreciate this pristine area in all its natural beauty today.
Distance from Duluth: Congdon Park is located in Duluth, MN.
Trail length: 1.7 miles (out and back)
Trail difficulty: Easy
Admission: No admission fee.
Other top things to do in Duluth, Minn.
And since you’re in the neighborhood, check out Wanderlust in Real Life’s Ultimate To Do List in Duluth, Minn.
Best hiking trails near Duluth, Minnesota – South
I finished hiking all 66 of Minnesota’s state parks in July 2021 and three of my favorite places to hike is just south of Duluth at Jay Cooke State Park, Moose Lake State Park and Banning State Park. Banning is actually about 60 miles away, but it’s my second-favorite state park so trust me that it’s worth driving the extra 10 miles from Duluth.
Best hiking trails near Duluth, Minn. – Jay Cooke State Park in Thomson, Minnesota
You’ll find stunning views on the hiking trails at Jay Cooke State Park in Thomson, Minnesota, one of the best hiking trails near Duluth. A swinging bridge crosses the gorgeous St. Louis River to miles of trails – from mowed paths to paved bike paths to rugged and steep trails of rock and stone. My favorite trails at Jay Cooke State Park are the Silver Creek and Carlton Trail Trip. You’ll find towering trees, wildflowers, waterfalls and cascades and a pioneer cemetery on the Jay Cooke State park hiking trails..
Distance from Duluth: Jay Cooke State Park is located in Thomson, Minnesota, approximately 14 miles from Duluth, MN.
Trail length: 1.8-mile loop to 5-mile loop.
Trail difficulty: Easy to moderate
Admission: Jay Cooke State Park requires a one-day pass at $7 per vehicle or a $35 annual pass (which gives you access to all 66 Minnesota state parks and 9 Minnesota state recreation areas).
Best hiking trails near Duluth, Minn. at Moose Lake State Park in Moose Lake, Minnesota
Moose Lake State Park offers some of the best hiking trails near Duluth, Minn. and is conventiently located just off I-35 as you are driving to or from the North Shore in Minnesota. This park offers three trails through beautiful trees and over rolling hills and by Lake Echo. Some paths are packed dirt and others are mowed grass – or, if you go in the fall, beautiful leaves.
Distance from Duluth: Moose Lake State Park in Moose Lake, Minn. is approximately 43 miles south of Duluth, MN.
Trail length: 0.9-mile loop to a 1.5-mile loop
Trail difficulty: Easy
Admission: Moose Lake State Park requires a one-day pass at $7 per vehicle or a $35 annual pass (which gives you access to all 66 Minnesota state parks and 9 Minnesota state recreation areas).
Best hiking trails at Banning State Park in Sandstone, Minnesota
One of the best places to hike near Duluth, Minn. is Banning State Park in Sandstone, Minn. This beautiful and rugged state park offers 17 miles of trails overlooking the scenic Kettle River. You’ll find calm and reflecting waters to rapids to cascades to a remote waterfall featuring easy, moderate and rugged and rocky trails. My favorite trails at Banning State Park are, well, all of them.
Distance from Duluth: Banning State Park is located in Sandstone, MN, approximately 60 miles from Duluth, MN.
Trail length: 0.4 miles to 6.7 miles
Trail difficulty: Easy to moderate
Admission: Banning State Park requires a one-day pass at $7 per vehicle or a $35 annual pass (which gives you access to all 66 Minnesota state parks and 9 Minnesota state recreation areas).
See my full review of what to pack on a day hike.
Best hiking trails within 50 miles north of Duluth, Minnesota
You’ll find more of my favorite state parks and the best hiking trails within 50 miles of Duluth – this time north on the scenic North Shore.
Best hiking trails near Duluth, MN at Agate Bay in Two Harbors, Minnesota
The draw at Agate Bay on Lake Superior in Two Harbors, Minn. is its lighthouse – the oldest operating lighthouse in Minnesota. However, I found a very peaceful trail that takes you along the rocky shore and through a quiet wooded area. This is where I came across this curious deer.
Distance from Duluth: Agate Bay in Two Harbors, Minn. is 28 miles from Duluth, MN.
Trail length: 0.8 miles
Trail difficulty: Easy
Admission: Admission to Agate Bay is free.
Best hiking trails near Duluth, MN at Gooseberry Falls State Park in Two Harbors, Minnesota
Gooseberry Falls State Park offers some of the best trails near Duluth, MN. The trails can get very crowded in the summer so for a unique perspective, visit in the winter. We chased some frozen waterfalls and only saw five people at Gooseberry Falls State Park the entire time we were there in February.
Normally you can hike the Superior Hiking Trail from Gooseberry Falls State Park to nearby Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. However, that portion of the trail is currently closed for maintenance. You will find a detour via Gitchi-Gami State Trail (8 miles one-way).
Distance from Duluth: Gooseberry Falls State Park is located in Two Harbors, MN, approximately 40 miles north of Duluth, MN.
Trail length: 1.25 miles to 8 miles
Trail difficulty: Easy to moderate.
Admission: Gooseberry Falls State Park requires a one-day pass at $7 per vehicle or a $35 annual pass (which gives you access to all 66 Minnesota state parks and 9 Minnesota state recreation areas).
Best hiking trail near Duluth, MN: Gitchi-Gami State Trail
One of the best hiking (and biking) trails near Duluth, Gitchi-Gami State Trails runs from Two Harbors to Grand Marais, Minnesota. And the trail connects several state parks along the North Shore in Minnesota including between Gooseberry Falls State Park and Split Rock Lighthouse State Park.
Distance from Duluth: The Gitchi-Gami State Trail section located in Two Harbors, MN is about 40 miles from Duluth, MN.
Trail length: Sections of the Gitchi-Gami State Trail near Duluth, MN ranges from less than a mile to 8 miles from Gooseberry Falls State Park to Split Rock Lighthouse to 14.14 miles between Two Harbors and Beaver Bay, MN. You can also find a 0.6-mile section of the Gitchi-Gami State Trail near Silver Creek Cliff on Highway 61 (aka North Shore).
Trail difficulty: Easy
Admission: No admission to hike Gitchi-Gami State Trail.
Best hiking trails near Duluth, MN at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park in Two Harbors, Minnesota
The Split Rock Lighthouse is not only my favorite Minnesota state park, it also features some of the best hiking trails near Duluth, MN. Located 47 miles north, the Superior Hiking Trail (SHT) and the Gitchi-Gami State Trail both run through Split Rock Lighthouse State Park (note that SHT may be closed in some sections that lead to Gooseberry Falls State Park). Trails guide you to the rocky Lake Superior shoreline below Split Rock Lighthouse to waterfalls and through beautiful forested areas.
Distance from Duluth: Split Rock Lighthouse State Park is located in Two Harbors, MN, approximately 47 miles from Duluth, MN.
Trail length: 0.78 miles to 8 miles
Trail difficulty: Easy to moderate
Admission: Split Rock Lighthouse State Park requires a one-day pass at $7 per vehicle or a $35 annual pass (which gives you access to all 66 Minnesota state parks and 9 Minnesota state recreation areas).
List of the best hiking trails in and near Duluth, MN
Here’s a curated and alphabetic list of the best places and trails to hike in and near Duluth, Minnesota. I’ll update this list as I hike additional trails.
- Agate Bay
- Banning State Park
- C.J. Ramstad North Shore State Trail
- Congdon Park
- Duluth Lakewalk
- Gitchi-Gami State Trail
- Gooseberry Falls State Park
- Jay Cooke State Park
- Moose Lake State Park
- Split Rock Lighthouse State Park
- Superior Hiking Trail
To stay updated on more of the best hiking trails in and near Duluth, MN, please join my emailing list. Greatly appreciate your support! Which Minnesota trail shoud I hike next? Please leave your recommendations in the comments.
Best places to stay near the best hiking trails in and within 50 miles of Duluth, MN
If you’re not much of a camper or a glamper, I recommend staying at a hotel right on Lake Superior when you are hiking in and near Duluth, MN. Here is one of our favorite places to stay in Duluth, Minn.
Best place to stay in Duluth, Minnesota: Beacon Pointe Resort
One of the best places to stay near the best hiking trails in Duluth, Minn. is Beacon Pointe Resort. Overlooking Lake Superior, the Beacon Point Resort offers great views and a great location to access the Duluth Lakewalk and is just a short drive to several other of the best hiking trails and trailheads in the area. We stayed in Beacon Pointe’s one-bedroom suite with a rooftop balcony overlooking the lake.
Odyssey Resorts, who graciously hosted my husband and me at their Caribou Highlands Lodge property in Lutsen, MN, also offers several other North Shore MN lodging accommodations including cabins, cottages and resort rooms and suites overlooking Lake Superior – from Duluth to Two Harbors to Grand Marais. Minnesota.
- Beacon Pointe Condo Hotel on Lake Superior in Duluth, MN is the best place to stay near Jay Cooke State Park.
- Breezy Point Cabins in Two Harbors, MN is one of the best places to stay near Gooseberry Falls State Park and Split Rock Lighthouse State Park.
- Caribou Highlands Lodge in Lutsen, MN is the most centrally located resort on the North Shore and is the best place to stay near Lutsen Mountains (it’s right on the property), Temperance River State Park, George Crosby Manitou State Park, Cascade River State Park.
- East Bay Suites in Grand Marais, MN is the best place to stay near Judge C.R. Magney State Park, Grand Portage State Park and Cascade River State Park.
- Grand Superior Lodge in Two Harbors, MN is one of the best places to stay near George Crosby Manitou State Park, Gooseberry Falls State Park, Split Rock Lighthouse State Park and Tettegouche State Park.
- Larsmont Cottages in Two Harbors, MN is one of the best places to stay near Gooseberry Falls State Park and Split Rock Lighthouse State Park.
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those are some pretty spectacular views – and it’s amazing that you’re hiking all 66 of Minnesota’s state parks, that’s really something!
Thank you! I’m loving my Minnesota state park challenge where I’m discovering the best hiking trails throughout the state including those in and near Duluth, MN.
That’s a lot of forest acreage. I think I would enjoy Lakewalk the most of all of those trails.
Minnesota is known for its lakes, but we’ve got some amazing trails through beautiful forests. Lakewalk along Lake Superior is one of the best hiking trails in Duluth, MN.
Wow lovely post on Duluth hiking trails. Picturesque views of waterfalls and the view from Beacon pointe condo is just awesome!!Thanks for sharing ❤️
Thank you and my pleasure! You’ll find so many beautiful trails with scenic views of waterfalls and waterways in and near Duluth, MN. Beacon Pointe is a lovely place to stay in Duluth.
I was in Minnesota for a few days a couple years ago and would so love to go back to do more hiking! Thanks for putting together such a comprehensive list! 😀
Thank you and my pleasure! I know you would love exploring the best hiking trails in and near Duluth, MN.
Absolutely — it’ll give me an excuse to visit my cousins too! Fingers crossed that I’ll get to explore sometime soon!
Love it!
I’m not much of a hiker, but the scenery around Duluth is stunning. I love lakes and especially lakefront hotels, so I would love to explore Lake Superior… the Beacon Point Resort sounds perfect for me 🙂
Thank you so much! What’s great about most of these hiking trails in and near Duluth is that you don’t need to trek far to take in all the beautiful scenery. And Beacon Pointe is one of the best places to stay in Duluth, MN.
I recently got into hiking and bow I want to do ALL of these!
Thank you so much! While I’ve hiked occasionally, I just started day hiking regularly about a year ago. These are the best hiking trails in and near Duluth, MN. I know you would love them.
Squeee Waterfalls, wildlife and oodles of calming forest views!? Hiking near Duluth looks like heaven Karen! You must be so excited for a summer of hiking!
Thank you so much, Josy! These hiking trails in and near Duluth are the best – and am so excited for more hiking adventures this summer!
I love a good hike and these sound terrific. What a fantastic resource if I get up to the area. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you and my pleasure! I know you would love these trails – the best hiking adventures in and near Duluth, MN
All of these hikes look gorgeous! I’d definitely love to hike along Lake Superior. I love trails that go along water. And that waterfall would be cool. I like the tree roots in the trails, too. These hikes all look peaceful, for sure.
Thank you so much! I love all these beautiful hiking trails in and near Duluth, Minn. – especially the ones that lead to water and waterfalls. And I loved those trails with the tree roots also.
I would like to hike Congdon Park because it is next to a creek and has a waterfall.
Congdon Park is one of the best places to hike in Duluth, MN. All trails leading to waterfalls are the best.
We had been planning to do a road trip around the Great Lakes last summer, with a stop in Duluth. When the borders open, I will definitely be referncing this post! WE were hoping to hike in Duluth so this will definitely come in handy!
Awesome! I know you and the family will love all the great hiking trails in and near Duluth and all along the North Shore.
What a beautiful collection of hikes! Moose Lake State Park in autumn looks stunning! Those tree roots at Jay Cooke State Park look lethal! I’d definitely fall over those! Thanks for the great guide!
Thank you so much and my pleasure! Moose Lake State Park was so beautiful when I hiked the trails last fall. It’s one of my favorite trails near Duluth, Minn. I’m surprised I didn’t trip over those tree roots at Jay Cooke State Park. They are so mesmerizing.
All of these hiking trails look amazing! I was supposed to go to Duluth for work a few years ago, but something came up and I ended up not going. It looks like a beautiful area though! 🙂
Thank you! I hope you get the opportunity to visit Duluth, Minn. again and check out the best hiking trails in the area.
These are some amazing looking trails, especially Split Rock Lighthouse state park. What a gorgeous view. I also really like the sound of those mosquito repellent wipes, I might have to get some of those. I am a huge magnet for mosquitoes when I’m hiking
Thanks so much! Split Rock Lighthouse has some of the best hiking trails and views near Duluth and on the North Shore of Minnesota. I love Aunt Fannie’s mosquito wipes. Huge fan!
The Duluth area is so beautiful! I need to return to hike some of these trails.
I agree! I am so in love with Duluth and it has the best hiking trails. So beautiful!
Wow! That’s a lot of hiking trails near Minnesota! I would love to do the Lakewalk along Lake Superior. Your images are stunning. Bookmarking your blog for future reference. 🙂
Thank you so much and so happy to hear you’re finding my hiking guides around Minnesota of value. Please let me know if you have any questions or need tips or recommendations. I especially love the Lakewalk along Lake Superior in Duluth, Minn.
Wow, you hiked all of these trails?! So impressed! These hiking trails around Duluth are so lush and green, with all the water around – very different from hikes in New Mexico.
Yes, I’ve hiked all the trails that are pictured in and near Duluth, Minn. Definitely lots of green and water and I’m sure very different from New Mexico.
It has been such a dry year in CA, everything looks so green and lush! Just beautiful!
Thank you! We are definitely blessed with lots of greenery on the best hiking trails near Duluth, Minn.
Such rugged beauty! I love this area! We make the trek annually to hike, paddle, and portage this vast wilderness landscape!
Thanks! You can find many of the best hiking trails with rugged beauty in and near Duluth, Minn.
Wow, this is such a great list of the best trails near Duluth! Love getting outdoors!
Thank you so much! I love getting outdoors and hitting all the beautiful hiking trails in and near Duluth, Minnesota.
This year I just got into hiking but in Arizona there’s a few months we just can’t go or I would die. lol These look like some fabulous hikes with beautiful scenery.
We’ve hiked in Arizona before and I’m sure the heat makes it extremely dangerous to hike. It’s kinda the opposite in Duluth as it can get dangerously cold for a few weeks where it wouldn’t be advisable to go hiking. Although we did do some winter hiking near Duluth this year and loved it. But summer and fall are my favorite times to explore the hiking trails along the North Shore of Minnesota.
Such an incredible list of hiking spots! When I head up to Duluth, this will be the perfect guide!
Thank you so much! You’ll find so many beautiful hiking trails in and near Duluth, Minnesota.
The ultimate list! When seeing these photos I can’t help but imagine the cleanest of air! These always look incredibly refreshing!
Thank you so much! Duluth, Minnesota and the entire North Shore offers some beautiful hiking trails and definitely clean and fresh air!
We were just looking at a possible trip to Duluth, and these hiking trips would be a great addition to our trip! Thank you for putting together sure a great, and beautiful, list!
Awesome! So happy to hear that! You’ll love visiting and hiking in and near Duluth, Minnesota and the North Shore – one of my favorite places.
It looks like Duluth has some of the best hiking trails in the country much less just Minnesota. Such beautiful views!
Thanks! I’m a big fan of the North Shore and Duluth, Minnesota offers so many beautiful hiking trails.
This is so helpful for hiking enthusiasts Karen. I’ve never been to Minnesota or heard of Duluth, so I enjoyed this introduction to the area!
Thank you so much! Duluth, Minnesota is one of my favorite places to visit and hike – so many beautiful trails.
Duluth area has some great options for hiking trails. So much natural beauty.
Duluth does offer some great hiking trails for all difficulty levels – easy to more challenging – and all are so beautiful!
You really are the master of hiking posts in and around your area. Love all the opportunities to spot wildlife. All those waterfalls are gorgeous too.
Thank you so much! I have definitely learned a lot about Minnesota on my state park and staycation hiking challenge over the past year. Really looking forward to exploring more hiking trails this summer.
Great post, KMF, I remember having read one of your other posts from this series. Again, I’m impressed by your ability to master such a mammoth task! I’m finding it hard enough coming up with a post about a single hike I’ve done haha.. 🙂
How cool you’re currently hiking all 66 of Minnesota’s state parks. I can see why you would like the area just south of Duluth.
Thank you so much! I had only been to 6 of the 66 Minnesota state parks as of June 2020 – and just completed hiking/exploring all of them in early July 2021. Especially love the hiking trails near Duluth and along the North Shore of Minnesota.
I am really looking forward to hiking trip with my two hairy 4 legged best friends this weekend… I am nervous and excited at the same time. this is a wonderful blog! I loved the scenery pictures now its hard to decide which park I wanna go to. Keep writing on!
Thank you so much! Greatly appreciate your kind words. Enjoy your hiking trip with your furry friends! I’m sure it’ll be an incredible experience especially if hiking on any of the best trails near Duluth, MN – one of my favorite places in the world.
This will be our first time traveling to Duluth area. Do you recommend making sure we have hiking shoes or will tennis shoes do the job just fine?
My husband wears sneakers while hiking in the Duluth area. I prefer hiking shoes as some trails have lots of rocks, boulders and tree roots…I appreciate the stability and traction of my hiking shoes.
Wow, what lovely hiking trails! Duluth Minnesota is so abundant. I was super drawn to Jay Cooke! Awesome article as usual!
Thank you so kindly! Jay Cooke is one of the best places to hike near Duluth, Minnesota. So pretty!
What incredible scenery! I loved this list and all of the stunning photos of the best hiking trails within 50 miles of Duluth, MN! If I lived in or near there I would be hard put not to go on a hike every free day I had! I live in the desert, which is beautiful in its own ways, but all of that greenery…the waterfalls…the lighthouse…aaah! Amazing!!
Thank you! So many scenic hikes in and near Duluth, Minnesota!
Looks like so many great walks in Duluth MM. It’d be great to go on the Lakewalk in Duluth. And, I’d want to stop for a while, sit and watch what is happening on the water. The bridge over Tischer Creek looks intriguing!
Lots of great hiking in Duluth, Minnesota. I especially love the Lakewalk.