camping on the north shore of minnesota

where we stayed

split rock lighthouse state park

gooseberry falls state park

coffee shops

dream cloud coffee in two harbors

cedar coffee company in two harbors

timber coffee company in silver bay

beaches/falls

split rock lighthouse state park

black beach

gooseberry falls middle and lower

food

Betty’s pies

Judy’s Cafe

super 1 foods in two harbors for roasting hot dogs

I’m fairly confident in saying that being out in nature is the best thing we can do for ourselves. Sitting around a campfire at night in the woods, gazing up at the multitudes of stars in a black sky. Even the mosquitoes buzzing add to the ambience. You feel at peace and the troubles of life and the world seem so small. Tent camping with five kids (my oldest was away at camp) isn’t an easy feat by far, but hiking through the woods, skipping rocks on Lake Superior, splashing on the shore, marveling at the tumbling of the falls, cooking hot dogs over the campfire in the evening, it’s all worth it.

Split rock lighthouse state park has the most underrated, beautiful beach. We spent most of our three day trip there. It’s just a little hike on a trail through the woods, perfect walk for kids. The shore is filled with smooth rocks, the water clean and sparkling, no rough waters in the cove. You have a gorgeous view of the lighthouse up on the cliff and Ellingson island. And no people. Well, some people, but so few that it hardly counts. Black beach on the other hand was incredibly crowded and with the sand being black, it was hot. We only stayed there for about twenty minutes before going back to split rock.

Gooseberry falls was the same situation. Very crowded. I don’t do well with crowds when I have my kids along. They’re running and excitedly trying to get ahead and see everything and my eyes are going wild trying to keep them in sight. But again, worth it. The falls were incredible. There were kids and people swimming in the pools beneath, which would be an amazing experience. I’d love to go back sometime, but midweek when you have guaranteed less crowds.

All the coffee shops we ventured to had fabulous coffee. But I have to give a higher compliment to Dream Cloud coffee, just a few miles outside of two harbors. Their shop is adorable. I walked in there and wanted to pack up my home, sell it, and move in. It had a piano in the back room by the tables, walls lined with books, the aroma of espresso and baked wonders. Which literally were wonders. I got my usual iced mocha, half sweet, extra shot, and a strawberry hand pie. My first mission upon arriving home is figuring out how to recreate that hand pie. It. Was. So. Good.

If you haven’t been to the north shore, you need to add it to your list. I promise you’ll love it. Bring along a knitting project! I suggest booking a cart in campsite at Split Rock Light House state park, but unless you’re quite flexible and can take cancellations, it’s best to reserve weeks in advance.

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❤️ Bethany