Palisade Head: All About The North Shore’s Best Viewpoint
Looking for an epic North Shore viewpoint? Palisade Head is where to go!
Running right along Lake Superior’s massive shoreline lies the North Shore of Minnesota, perhaps the best place to visit in the state.
Between all of the hiking and adventuring, it’s nice to have an easy stopping point to just enjoy the incredible views.
Palisade Head, North Shore is just that. A beautiful, huge viewpoint that offers unmatched views of Lake Superior and its shores.
I live in Minnesota and spend a lot of time on the North Shore. I’ve visited this viewpoint dozens of times, and have lots of experience here.
Use this expert guide to learn all about the North Shore’s best viewpoint and plan your next visit to Palisade Head.
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🛌 Accommodations: I love using Booking.com for any hotels or short-term rentals.
🏡Vacation Rentals: If you want your own house, VRBO is the best platform.
✈️ Flights: For flights to get here, check out Expedia to save some money!
🚘 Car Rentals: To get around, I use Discover Cars!
📍Tours: I recommend Viator for fun experiences.
What is Palisade Head?
Mostly known as one of the best stops on the North Shore, Palisade Head is a huge rock formation on Lake Superior’s shore.
It was formed a billion years ago from a lava flow, which also formed the popular Shovel Point in Tettegouche State Park.
It’s covered in beautiful trees, plants, flowers, and other natural beauty for visitors to enjoy.
It’s one of my favorite spots on the North Shore because it just feels so peaceful and serene to be so high above the water.
You can oftentimes see birds such as eagles and hawks flying above, and sometimes even diving into the cold waters of Lake Superior for a meal.
But most importantly to visitors, it’s known as a fantastic viewpoint over Lake Superior, where you can see for miles in both directions.
And for rock climbers, one of the most spectacular places to climb in all of Minnesota!
This is a definite must-see on the North Shore, since you’ll get to admire all of the beauty around you!
How Tall is Palisade Head?
Palisade Head sits high above Lake Superior at over 300 feet tall.
When you reach the parking lot for Palisade Head, Minnesota you’ll see just how tall it really is, as you’ll look down into the lake and see just how high up you are.
It’s also so huge and spectacular that you can see it from other places on the North Shore such as Shovel Point in Tettegouche State Park.
Because the rock formation is so high above the lake, you’ll want to hold children close by and watch your step! The cliffs are deadly.
Sometimes when I’m at the top, I get a little nervous and have to back up because it’s quite intimidating to be up so high!
Where is it Located?
Palisade Head North Shore is located in Silver Bay, Minnesota, right off of Highway 61, which is the road that follows the North Shore from Duluth to Grand Portage.
It’s technically located in Tettegouche State Park, but the rest of the park is found about 2 miles further up the highway.
This epic viewing spot is just over an hour northeast of Duluth, making for the perfect day trip.
It’s about 3 hours and 15 minutes from Minneapolis, so it would also make a great weekend getaway from Minneapolis when paired with some of the other great activities nearby.
How to Get to Palisade Head
It’s pretty easy to get here because it’s right on the main road that you’ll drive on the North Shore!
If you’re driving north from Duluth or Minneapolis, follow Highway 61 for about 2.5 miles past the town of Silver Bay.
You’ll turn right onto Palisade Head Road, and there will be signs on the road to ensure that you don’t miss the turn-off.
If you’re coming south from Grand Portage, you’ll continue on Highway 61 for just over 1.5 miles past the entrance to Tettegouche State Park.
This time, the turn-off will be on the left hand side of the road, and again, there will be signs to direct you.
The road from the highway up to the Palisade Head parking lot is windy and fairly steep, but it’s pretty short.
Just be cautious of the guardrails and other cars traveling the road, as it is pretty narrow.
Be aware that it is closed in the winter, so if you’re wanting to visit during the colder months, you’ll need to park near the highway and hike up.
The road is only about 0.5 miles one way, so you won’t have to walk very far if this is the case.
What Time Does Palisade Head Open?
Minnesota state park hours are typically 8:00 am until 10:00 pm, which would also apply to Palisade Head, MN.
But, many people tend to visit earlier than this to avoid the crowds or watch the sunrise.
You can drive the road whenever you want, but the visitor center will not open until 8:00 am or later.
Where Do I Park During My Visit?
The parking lot for Palisade Head, Minnesota is located right at the end of the winding road that you’ll make your way up.
It’s a very small lot, so it does fill up quickly, especially on warm summer days!
Sometimes you’ll need to stop and wait for other cars. We’ve had to do this many times and while it’s annoying, it’s just part of the process.
There is no fee to park in the parking lot, but if you visit the rest of Tettegouche State Park, you’ll need a state park pass.
What is There to Do at Palisade Head, MN?
Palisade Head, MN is truly one of the North Shore’s best viewpoints over Lake Superior.
While you’re at the top, keep an eye out for wildlife such as bald eagles, huge ships crossing the blue waters, and the waves crashing into the shoreline.
Look into the distance and search for places such as Split Rock Lighthouse and the Sawtooth Mountains.
If you’re a rock climber, you might already know this location is popular for rock climbing around the area.
And non-rock climbers might enjoy watching how they strap up, get ready, and set out for a climb up and down the rocks.
If you’re up for an early morning or late night, consider taking in a sunrise or sunset here, which are both incredible!
Aside from taking in the absolutely phenomenal views from the top, there really isn’t much else to do.
But, you should definitely still make the stop, because the views are unmatched.
And if you’re looking for more to do afterward, head on over to the main area of Tettegouche State Park, which is home to some of the best hiking in the state.
Note: Whatever you decide to do during your visit, use extreme caution, as the cliffs are steep and the terrain is rocky. It can be very dangerous.
How Long is the Hike to Palisade Head, Minnesota?
The good news here is that there is no hike to reach the viewpoint, as long as you’re visiting during the summer!
You’ll simply drive up to the parking lot, hop out of your car, and you’ve arrived!
This makes it perfect for almost anyone to visit because not much physical activity is required.
However, if you’re visiting in the winter, you’ll have about a 1-mile roundtrip hike to get there, as the entrance road will be closed.
This road is really steep and I’m thankful that I’ve only visited when it’s been open because it looks like it would be a leg burner!
If you want to hike on the North Shore, there are many other great places where you can check out a great trail!
When is the Best Time to Visit?
You can visit the North Shore almost any time of the year, but there’s definitely a better time to visit than others.
The summer months are absolutely the best time to visit because the trails are clear and the temperatures are warm.
Although if you are visiting in the summer, I would recommend that you do it on a weekday or early in the morning.
This will help you avoid the crowds that tend to congregate in popular locations. Mosquitos also may be present in the summer, so plan to pack some bug spray!
During the fall months, you’ll see some of the most spectacular fall colors from this viewpoint all around you!
The sunsets and sunrises over Lake Superior can also be phenomenal, so I really recommend trying to catch one during your North Shore visit.
Is Palisade Head Open in Winter?
You can visit Palisade Head in winter, but it will take a little bit of extra effort, as the main road closes for the season.
Because it’s such a windy and fairly steep road, it’s closed in the winter to keep everyone safe.
But, with only a 1-mile roundtrip hike, you can definitely still visit the beautiful viewpoint in the winter!
Instead of driving up the road, you’ll just park at the bottom of the hill, near Highway 61, and use the road as a trail up to the viewpoint.
The road will be snow-covered though, and it is pretty steep, so I’d recommend bringing either microspikes or crampons just in case!
Once you reach the top, be aware that the rocks may be slippery and snow-covered.
Because you’ll be so close to the edge, you should use extreme caution to ensure your safety.
Where to Stay Near Palisade Head
If you’re visiting the North Shore, it’s best to book a stay nearby so you have a nice place to rest for the end of the day.
Just about 10 minutes from Palisade Head, MN is the beautiful Cove Point Lodge, with amazing Lake Superior views and within minutes of the best activities.
Or, go a bit further down the road and stay at the Grand Superior Lodge in Two Harbors, again boasting incredible lake views.
Other Things to Do Nearby
Minnesota’s North Shore is the state’s mecca for outdoor activities and great views.
One of the top things to do nearby is to check out a few of the beautiful state parks, such as Gooseberry Falls, Split Rock Lighthouse, and Tettegouche.
These all have epic hikes, waterfalls, and opportunities to walk on the shores of Lake Superior.
Tettegouche is even home to the state’s tallest waterfall, High Falls, and the beautiful Baptism River.
Or, you may consider checking out some of the local restaurants in Grand Marais, Two Harbors, or Silver Bay.
FAQs
Yes, the best way to reach Palisade Head is by driving up the road. You can also hike up the road, but this is only recommended in the winter when the road is closed.
It’s located just outside the city of Silver Bay, Minnesota.
A ‘palisade’ is a cliff along a body of water, and a ‘head’ is considered to be a coastal landform that has a high cliff that drops into water. So these two words combine describe exactly what this viewpoint it.
Palisade Head drops over 300 feet into Lake Superior.
The highest cliff on Lake Superior is Palisade Head, Minnesota, rising at over 300 feet.
The drive from Palisade Head to Duluth, MN is just over 1 hour.
Final Thoughts: Palisade Head, Minnesota
There are so many great places to visit on the North Shore in Minnesota, and this is just one of those places.
From watching rock climbers scale the cliff to enjoying the sun sink down over the horizon, this viewpoint is phenomenal!
I hope that you’re able to use this guide to Palisade Head to plan a fun adventure and enjoy one of the best viewpoints on the entire North Shore.
