The trails at Sylvan Lake provide some of the best views in all of South Dakota’s Black Hills. Hike the easy and flat 1.1 Lake Shore Loop around Sylvan Lake, and add in the 3.1 mile Sunday Gulch Loop for a fun but challenging hike past a creek with several small waterfalls and then up into the mountains of the Black Hills. Other trail options also include Little Devil’s Tower, my favorite viewpoint within the Black Hills, and Black Elk Peak (formerly known as Harney Peak) which is the highest point in elevation east of the Rocky Mountains. The trail to Black Elk Peak gains 1350ft, making it a tough trail. Little Devil’s Tower is shorter with less elevation, but involves a significant rock scramble at the end. There is also a spur trail to Cathedral Spires, a unique set of towering rocks.
Oberg Mountain is a 2.5-mile loop hike with a gradual elevation gain of 500ft. This is a relatively easy hike with amazing views around the entire loop of the surrounding hills, Lake Superior, and Oberg Lake.
Caribou Falls is an approximately 1-mile out-and-back hike, off of MN-61 between Tettegouche and Temperance State Parks. This is a subtly marked hike, meaning that although it is just a short distance away from the scenic highway that runs along Lake Superiors shore, you just might get to enjoy this waterfall by yourself. Enjoy the peacefulness of the Caribou River along your hike to the falls.
Vacation Ideas to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park - Plan a trip for your family.. This post includes favorite hikes, places to visit, and ideas on where to camp.
Part of the North Shore experience in Minnesota is exploring the shoreline of Lake Superior. My favorite “beaches” or places to access the water are Canal Park, Park Point, Agate Beach in Gooseberry State Park, Iona’s Beach, Pebble Beach in Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, Black Beach, Baptism River in Tettegouche State Park, Crystal Bay Sea Caves Beach, Sugarloaf Cove, Lakeshore Trail in Cascade River State Park, and the Superior Hiking Trail’s Lake Walk.
Although Grand Portage is a 2 hour and 40 minute drive from Duluth and there are plenty of other things to do and places to hike along MN-61 before you reach the Canadian border, there are two parks bearing the name “Grand Portage” and there is enough to do up here to make the trip worth the effort. In the summer months, the Depot Area inside of Grand Portage NM is open, and there are people dressed in costume performing tasks that show what life was like in the region in the 1780s. Grand Portage State Park has the highest waterfall in Minnesota, which is amazing in any season, and is easily accessible along a paved trail.
