WELCOME TO

Lake County

Infinite adventures from
the North Shore to the Boundary waters

Lake County in Minnesota sits along the Lake Superior North Shore from Knife River to Little Marais. It extends north to the Canadian Border, near Ely, MN, and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). Lake County boasts four gorgeous state parks, including Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, Gooseberry Falls State Park, Tettegouche State Park, and George Crosby-Manitou State Park. Our state parks offer many miles of scenic hiking trails featuring rivers, waterfalls, and deep forests.

You’ll find breathtaking views of the Lake Superior shoreline, excellent lakeshore resorts, hotels, campgrounds, and endless outdoor adventures! We welcome you to Lake County.

north shore summer bucket list

This summer, plan to check off your Minnesota Bucket List in Lake County, MN! Get wowed by its ancient cliffs and hidden beaches. It’s home to iconic parks, quaint towns, and expansive wilderness from Lake Superior to the Boundary Waters.

This is the time to do it all in a nature lover’s paradise. Visit one of four fantastic state parks, camp in a national or state forest, or go into the world-renowned Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness: your options are endless.

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hike, Bike, or Ride: Just get outside!

leave no trace lake county mn people picking up trash
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Everyone can do their part to Care for Lake County by following our Leave No Trace principles.

Take the Pledge and receive a free sticker and a mini North Shore hiking guide!

North Shore ADVENTURES

silver creek tunnel

Ultimate North Shore Road Trip

Plan the Ultimate North Shore Road Trip through Lake County, MN, this summer and be wowed by its ancient cliffs, hidden beaches, and stunning vistas. ...
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gooseberry falls north shore mn

Accessible Outdoor Adventures

One-Day Trip The Minnesota DNR and local businesses in Lake County believe that all people, regardless of disability, should have access to and enjoy the ...
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split rock wilds mountain biking

Adventure-Loving Two-Day Itinerary

Adventure-Loving Two-Day Itinerary What To Bring: Water Towel Blanket for the Beach Lunch/Snacks Closed-Toe Shoes Gloves Bike Helmet (or you can rent one) Rain gear ...
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Featured events

2024 Silver Bay Music in the Park Free Live Concert Series: Trailer Trash with Rich Mattson
Jul 26 24
Silver Bay City Center Park in Silver Bay

The 2024 Silver Bay Music in the Park Free Concert Series enters its fourth season, bringing eight free Friday night outdoor concerts to Silver Bay’s City Center Park. The first concert kicks off Friday, July 19th, 2024, with The Big Wu and concludes Friday, September 6th, 2024, with Martin Zellar & the Hardways. About Trailer [...]
Chasing Waterfalls Tour
Aug 1 24
Gooseberry Falls State Park in Two Harbors

Join Interpretive Park Naturalist on an accessible tour of Gooseberry Falls State Park's major waterfalls. On this walk, you can see views of Upper, Middle and Lower Falls. The tour covers 0.4 miles on varying terrain, including over 150 stairs. We can go further if the conditions allow! Contact Naturalist Mic, for more details on [...]
2024 Silver Bay Music in the Park Free Live Concert Series: Joyann Parker
Aug 2 24
Silver Bay City Center Park in Silver Bay

The 2024 Silver Bay Music in the Park Free Concert Series enters its fourth season, bringing eight free Friday night outdoor concerts to Silver Bay’s City Center Park. The first concert kicks off Friday, July 19th, 2024, with The Big Wu and concludes Friday, September 6th, 2024, with Martin Zellar & the Hardways. About Joyann [...]

Explore Our Communities

Beaver Bay

Beaver Bay The oldest settlement on the north shore Beaver Bay (pop. 121) was founded in 1856 by German immigrants. Visit the Tourist Information Center on the east end of town, operated by the Bay ...
VISIT
man with canoe on a pristine lake in the boundary waters canoe area

Fall Lake Township and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area

In the northern region of Lake County (just east of Ely, MN) you’ll find Fall Lake Township which encompasses a large portion of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW).
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Finland/Isabella

Finland & Isabella Rugged wilderness & a captivating history Finland From MN-61, just over eight miles north on Highway 1, you’ll find the community of Finland, Minnesota, nestled in the Baptism River Valley and surrounded ...
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Knife River

Knife River, MN, was settled by Captain Charles Anderson, a Norwegian seaman born in Oslo in 1840, and his wife Serene. Following the arrival of the Alger-Smith Duluth & Northern Minnesota Railroad, the tiny settlement ...
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Silver Bay

Silver Bay, Minnesota A north shore gem Silver Bay, nestled in the Sawtooth Mountains, was homesteaded by fisherman Oscar Pederson in 1920; the captain of the steamship America gave the town its name, who thought ...
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Two Harbors

Two Harbors, Minnesota In the late 1800s, the area of Two Harbors was actually divided into two separate communities, Agate Bay and Burlington. In 1907, the two communities merged together and became incorporated and were ...
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