46 mi · 50-minute drive from the hostel
Split Rock Lighthouse
Minnesota’s most photographed landmark, on a 130-foot cliff.
Perched on a 130-foot cliff above Lake Superior, Split Rock Lighthouse is Minnesota’s most iconic — and most photographed — landmark. Built in 1910 after a run of deadly shipwrecks, it’s now a beautifully preserved historic site and state park, about an hour up the shore from Duluth.
Visiting
The Minnesota Historical Society operates the lighthouse and its history center, with tours of the tower and keeper’s home restored to their early-1900s appearance. The surrounding state park has trails down to the shoreline, where you get the classic view of the lighthouse standing on its cliff — the shot on every postcard.
Even a quick stop is worth it, but give yourself time to walk down to the lake for the best angle and to explore the grounds.
From the front desk
- Walk down to the shoreline for the classic cliff-and-lighthouse photo.
- Morning light is best on the tower; it faces the lake.
- Combine it with Gooseberry Falls on the same North Shore day.
Good to know
Split Rock Lighthouse — FAQs
How far is Split Rock Lighthouse from Duluth?
About 46 miles — roughly a 50-minute drive up Highway 61 along the North Shore from Hostel du Nord.
Can you go inside Split Rock Lighthouse?
Yes. The Minnesota Historical Society offers tours of the lighthouse tower and the restored keeper’s house at the historic site. There is an admission fee, and a state park permit is needed to park.
When was Split Rock Lighthouse built?
It was completed in 1910, built in response to a series of shipwrecks on Lake Superior, and operated as a working lighthouse for decades before becoming a historic site.
Keep exploring
Nearby & related
Book Direct & Save
Sleep 10 minutes from the trailhead.
Downtown Duluth — where the Lakewalk, the breweries and Highway 61 all begin.
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