Split Rock Lighthouse above a snowy Lake Superior cliff at dawn.

Lighthouse · Lake Superior

Split Rock Lighthouse

An iconic beacon perched above Minnesota's rugged North Shore.

Photo: MichaelDPhotos · CC BY-SA 4.0

Split Rock Light Station.jpg by MichaelDPhotos · CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized and converted to WebP; display crops vary.

Plan a trip around it

On the coast

About Split Rock Lighthouse

Visit the historic lighthouse and museum overlooking Lake Superior.

LakeLake Superior
RegionMinnesota
Representative coordinates47.2004, -91.3682
First lit1910
Open to visitorsYes; check seasonal hours

Live · Split Rock Lighthouse

What's going on right now.

Weather, alerts, the water, the sky and local headlines, gathered from official sources as you read.

Gathering the latest conditions…

National Weather Service Environment Canada NOAA buoy observations Aurora forecast

Live data from the U.S. National Weather Service, Environment and Climate Change Canada, NOAA's National Data Buoy Center and Space Weather Prediction Center; headlines link to the publishers. Sun and moon times are calculated. Conditions change quickly—check official forecasts before going on the water. Not for navigation.

Best time

Late September and early October bring fall color to the cliffs; each November 10 the beacon is relit in memory of the Edmund Fitzgerald.

Time needed

2–3 hours

Best months

Don't miss

Highlights of Split Rock Lighthouse.

  • Climb the tower to the lens room for a close look at the original French-made Fresnel lens and a long view down the North Shore.
  • Step into the restored keeper's house to see how keepers' families lived on this isolated clifftop.
  • Take the stairs or shoreline trail down to the pebble beach for the classic view of the light perched 130 feet above the lake.
  • Learn how the 1905 Mataafa storm, which wrecked or damaged 29 ships, spurred Congress to fund a light on this stretch of shore.

Know before you go

Tips for visiting Split Rock Lighthouse.

  • The light station (Minnesota Historical Society) and the surrounding state park are managed separately, with their own admission and vehicle-permit rules.
  • Bring a layer even in July — the clifftop takes the full wind off Lake Superior.
  • Hours shift through the year and winter access is limited, so check with the Minnesota Historical Society before you go.
Great for Lighthouses Trails, cliffs & waterfalls Shipwrecks & maritime history

Get your bearings

On the shoreline.

Loading the map. The links and itinerary below are always available.

Representative location; not a verified entrance or navigation aid.

Black-and-white basemap by OpenStreetMap. Great Lakes highlighted in color. Hold Ctrl (or Command) while scrolling to zoom. Use two fingers on touch screens.

Lake outlines: Natural Earth (public domain). Town centers: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Not for navigation.

Good to know

Questions about Split Rock Lighthouse

Where is Split Rock Lighthouse?
Split Rock Lighthouse is on the Lake Superior shore of Minnesota. It is roughly 19 miles in a straight line from Two Harbors.
When is the best time to visit Split Rock Lighthouse?
Late September and early October bring fall color to the cliffs; each November 10 the beacon is relit in memory of the Edmund Fitzgerald.
How much time do you need at Split Rock Lighthouse?
Allow 2–3 hours to explore Split Rock Lighthouse.
Can you visit Split Rock Lighthouse?
Yes. Split Rock Lighthouse welcomes visitors, usually with seasonal hours. Check the official site for current tour times and fees before you go.
When was Split Rock Lighthouse first lit?
Split Rock Lighthouse was first lit in 1910. Its tower stands about 54 feet tall.

Travel well

Make it a good visit.

Check access before leaving.

Opening hours, parking, permits and step-free access change by season. Confirm your needs with the official destination; a map pin is not an entrance.

Give the shoreline time.

Leave room for weather delays and a quieter side trail. Stay on marked paths, respect closures and support the local communities that make the coast special.

Travel thoughtfully

Look beyond the air forecast.

Waves and water temperatures can tell a very different story. Use marine forecasts and local beach advisories before any water activity.

Official weather resources

Nearby

More places to visit near Split Rock Lighthouse.

Approximate straight-line distance between representative pins—not driving distance, a ferry route or an access recommendation.

About 19 miles · Minnesota

Two Harbors

Ore docks, a historic lighthouse and a working Lake Superior waterfront.

Explore place

About 37 miles · Wisconsin

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

A Lake Superior archipelago of forests, beaches, sea caves and lighthouses.

Explore place

About 37 miles · Wisconsin

Bayfield

A small harbor town and gateway to the Apostle Islands.

Explore place

Road trips

Put this place on a longer route.

10–14 days

Lake Superior Circle Tour

A cross-border road trip around the world's largest freshwater lake by surface area.

View the itinerary

3-5 days

Minnesota North Shore Slow Drive

A relaxed Duluth-to-Grand Marais route linking harbors, waterfalls and lighthouse country.

View the itinerary

Events

Seasonal traditions on this coast.

These events share the region and lake—not necessarily this destination. Confirm current dates with organizers.

July (confirm annual dates)

Grand Marais Arts Festival

A North Shore arts gathering rooted in Grand Marais's creative community.

Organizer & event guide

Summer (dates vary; not annual)

Duluth Tall Ships

A harbor gathering celebrating sailing and maritime heritage on Lake Superior.

Organizer & event guide