The columnar cliff of Palisade Head above Lake Superior and the rocky shoreline seen from the overlook

Highway 61 · 3 stops · 19 mi

Palisade Head to Gooseberry Falls: Minnesota Highway 61 Road Trip Stops

3 stops · 19 miles · about 35 min of driving

Open this route in Google Maps3 stops in order · 19 mi · free, no sign-up

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EUHOMY 37-qt 12V Portable Fridge/FreezerCold food and drinks between stops, no ice needed. Amazon.Add to cart
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Route map: Palisade Head to Split Rock to Gooseberry Falls, 19 miles

Road distance and drive time are a routing estimate (OSRM) with no traffic and no stops.

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The three stops from our co-pilot reel, in the order you would drive them through Minnesota's North Shore. Facts and visitor notes come from official sources (linked under each stop). The photos are ours. Mileage and drive time are a routing estimate without traffic or stops. Check current road and hours before you go.

  1. Palisade Head

    The columnar cliff of Palisade Head above Lake Superior and the rocky shoreline seen from the overlook

    Our photo.

    Verified facts

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  2. 12 mi · 22 min from stop 1

    Split Rock Lighthouse

    Split Rock Lighthouse on its cliff above Lake Superior

    Our photo.

    Verified facts

    • The lighthouse was built after a November 1905 gale wrecked nearly 30 ships on Lake Superior. Source: mnhs.org ↗
    • The U.S. Lighthouse Service completed Split Rock Light Station in 1910. Source: mnhs.org ↗
    • Visitors can see the lighthouse's original Fresnel lens at the top of the tower. Source: mnhs.org ↗
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  3. 8 mi · 13 min from stop 2

    Gooseberry Falls State Park

    Gooseberry Falls pouring over dark lava rock with the river pool below

    Our photo.

    Verified facts

    • Three lava flows make the Upper, Middle, and Lower Falls at Gooseberry Falls State Park. Source: dnr.state.mn.us ↗
    • Gooseberry Falls State Park has been Minnesota's most-visited state park for seven of the last ten years, averaging more than 760,000 visitors a year. Source: dnr.state.mn.us ↗
    • Gooseberry Falls State Park took first place for best state park in the USA Today 10Best Reader's Choice Awards. Source: dnr.state.mn.us ↗
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