Split Rock Lighthouse State Park
- Status
- Status not postedDaily 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Entrance fee
- Statewide rule — see below
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Statewide rule — see below
- Camping
- Yes
- Official site
- dnr.state.mn.us
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
In Lake County, about 7 miles southwest of Silver Bay, Split Rock Lighthouse State Park covers about 2,055 acres.
Popular activities here are mountain biking, historic sites, canoeing and kayaking, biking, and hiking. Its trail network totals roughly 3 miles, according to the park. Camping is available: 3 camping areas, including RV sites with electric hookups, primitive or hike-in sites, and showers.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. | — |
| Office | Daily | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. | — |
Official wording
Daily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
Daily office hours 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There may be times when staff are not available to have the office open during posted hours. Call ahead if you need to make sure the office is staffed during your visit. The office will sometimes be closed if staff are unavailable or need to briefly leave to attend to other needs.
Tentative water shut off and Shipwreck Creek Campground close date is 10/23/2026.
Drinking water: The Cart-in shower building and the Shipwreck Creek Campground shower building, campground, and potable water fill station have water on. Anticipated water off date is Friday, October 23rd, 2026. Programs: Self-guided tours of the Split Rock Lighthouse historic site are available daily.The Lighthouse visitor center is open limited hours in the winter. Call the historic site for more information (218) 226-6372. Showers: Showers are available at the Shipwreck Creek Campground shower building and the Cart-in shower building. Rentals: Borrow free equipment from the park office during open hours! We have an all-terrain trackchair that is free to use. Reservations are encouraged and can be done by calling the park office or by going online. Try bird watching or check out a kid's discovery kit about wildlife, campfire activities, or camping skills. RVs: Parking spurs vary in length, please check website. Campground is located on the inland side of Hwy 61, little or no lake view from the campsites. Electric sites: 46 electric campsites in Shipwreck Creek Campground are open. Water: The Cart-in shower building and the Shipwreck Creek Campground shower building, campground, and potable water fill station have water on. Anticipated water off date is Friday, October 23rd, 2026. Dump station: Dump and potable water fill station are open. Anticipated close date is 10/23/2026. Campgrounds: Tentative water shut off and Shipwreck Creek Campground close date is 10/23/2026. Trails: The park has 12 miles of hiking trail and connections to the Superior Hiking Trail. The Gitchi-Gami State Trail also runs through the park, providing 15 miles of paved bike trail during the summer season. Mountain bikes are allowed on about 8 miles of park trail, and these trails become fat bike trails in the winter season. See link to park maps for more information. Bathrooms: Flush toilets are located at our Trail Center, Shipwreck Creek shower building, and the Cart-in shower building. Vault toilets are available at Pebble Beach, the Diver's Lot, Cart-in Campground, and the Mountain Bike Trail Lot. Facilities are wheelchair accessible.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Chicago).
Pets
Pets allowed on a leash six feet or shorter (or in a portable enclosure) and personally attended; only service animals in buildings, lodging, camper cabins, yurts, tipis, tours and beach areas.
Statewide rule from Minnesota's park system (source). This park’s page doesn’t state its own pet rules, so check for local restrictions.
Fees and passes
Per vehicle: a state park vehicle permit (one-day $7 or year-round $35) is required for every vehicle; same price for residents and nonresidents. Four free park days per year. Iron Range OHV SRA states 'There is no entrance fee'.
Statewide fee rule from Minnesota's park system; this park’s page doesn’t list its own fees.
Minnesota park passes
- Year-round vehicle permit — $35. Unlimited visits to every Minnesota state park and recreation area for 12 months from the month of purchase Details
- One-day vehicle permit — $7. One day, one vehicle Details
- Additional year-round vehicle permit — $26. Additional vehicles owned by a year-round permit holder Details
- Year-round motorcycle permit — $30. Motorcycle, 12 months Details
- One-day group permit — $5. Group vehicles, one day Details
From the Minnesota state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- Reserve MN (US eDirect)
- Phone
- 866-857-2757
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Camping
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drive-in Sites The Shipwreck Creek Campground had 46 electric sites open seasonally, May - October. Most site parking pads are at least 70 feet long.
When you make your reservation, please doublecheck that you are reserving a campsite at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. There is also a Split Rock Creek State Park in southern Minnesota. Don't get the two mixed up! | — | Showers | — |
| Backpack Sites The park has four backpack sites that range from 0.5 to 2 miles from the campground parking lot. Two of the sites are accessible by kayak from Lake Superior. | — | Showers | — |
| Cart-in Sites The park has 20 secluded cart-in sites 2,000 feet of the parking lot. Wheeled carts are available to haul gear and supplies to your campsite.
Carts are not available in the winter. A backpack or sled is recommended to haul gear during the winter months. Call the ranger station for questions. | — | Showers | — |
Camping details from the park
Drive-in Sites: The Shipwreck Creek Campground had 46 electric sites open seasonally, May - October. Most site parking pads are at least 70 feet long.
When you make your reservation, please doublecheck that you are reserving a campsite at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. There is also a Split Rock Creek State Park in southern Minnesota. Don't get the two mixed up!
Accessible Sites: The Shipwreck Creek Campground has three accessible drive-in sites with electric hookups. Sites 110 and 203 have elevated tent pads with a ramp. Site 314 does not have an elevated tent pad, but the entire site is packed, crushed gravel with no grass.
The cart-in campground has two accessible sites.
Backpack Sites: The park has four backpack sites that range from 0.5 to 2 miles from the campground parking lot. Two of the sites are accessible by kayak from Lake Superior.
Cart-in Sites: The park has 20 secluded cart-in sites 2,000 feet of the parking lot. Wheeled carts are available to haul gear and supplies to your campsite.
Carts are not available in the winter. A backpack or sled is recommended to haul gear during the winter months. Call the ranger station for questions.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
Historic sites and toursHikingBikingMountain bikingCampingPicnickingCanoeing and kayaking
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snowshoe (winter) | — | — | Snowshoe rentals are available at the ranger station.Snowshoe |
| Other (winter) | — | — | Fat bikers, hikers, cross-country skiers and snowshoers share 8.2 miles of groomed trails. All trails are intermediate and begin at the trail center.Other |
| Accessible (summer) | — | — | The short, paved trail in picnic area runs 0.25 miles along the shoreline of Lake SuperiorAccessibleAccessible |
| Self-Guided (summer) | — | — | The 6 miles of self-guided trail passes several historic points of interest. Ask for brochure at the ranger station.Self-Guided |
| Hiking (summer) | — | — | About 3 miles of trail run along the lakeshore 5.8 miles of the Superior Hiking Trail (SHT) passes through the park. These trails will treat you to many spectacular views of Lake Superior and northern hardwood forests with remnant red and white pine.Hiking |
| Paved Bike (summer) | — | — | The park connects to 15 miles of the paved Gitchi-Gami State Trail from Gooseberry lakeshore to the Beaver River in Beaver Bay. Parking and access are available at the trail center parking lot.Paved Bike |
| Unpaved Bike (summer) | — | — | The park has 22 miles of unpaved bike trails that connect to Split Rock Wilds, managed by Lake County. Parking is available near Shipwreck Creek Campground.Unpaved Bike |
Trail descriptions from the park
Winter — Snowshoe: Snowshoe rentals are available at the ranger station.
Winter — Other: Fat bikers, hikers, cross-country skiers and snowshoers share 8.2 miles of groomed trails. All trails are intermediate and begin at the trail center.
Summer — Accessible: The short, paved trail in picnic area runs 0.25 miles along the shoreline of Lake Superior
Summer — Self-Guided: The 6 miles of self-guided trail passes several historic points of interest. Ask for brochure at the ranger station.
Summer — Hiking: About 3 miles of trail run along the lakeshore
5.8 miles of the Superior Hiking Trail (SHT) passes through the park. These trails will treat you to many spectacular views of Lake Superior and northern hardwood forests with remnant red and white pine.
Summer — Paved Bike: The park connects to 15 miles of the paved Gitchi-Gami State Trail from Gooseberry lakeshore to the Beaver River in Beaver Bay. Parking and access are available at the trail center parking lot.
Summer — Unpaved Bike: The park has 22 miles of unpaved bike trails that connect to Split Rock Wilds, managed by Lake County. Parking is available near Shipwreck Creek Campground.
Trail conditions: The park has 12 miles of hiking trail and connections to the Superior Hiking Trail. The Gitchi-Gami State Trail also runs through the park, providing 15 miles of paved bike trail during the summer season. Mountain bikes are allowed on about 8 miles of park trail, and these trails become fat bike trails in the winter season. See link to park maps for more information.
Boating and paddling
Canoe Access
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Flush toilets
- Vault or pit toilets
- Showers
- Picnic areas
- Picnic shelters
- Visitor center
- Nature center or museum
- Park or camp store
Camping
- RV dump station
- RV camping
- Electric hookups
- Primitive or backcountry camping
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
Accessible Sites: The Shipwreck Creek Campground has three accessible drive-in sites with electric hookups. Sites 110 and 203 have elevated tent pads with a ramp. Site 314 does not have an elevated tent pad, but the entire site is packed, crushed gravel with no grass.
The cart-in campground has two accessible sites.
Backpack Sites: The park has four backpack sites that range from 0.5 to 2 miles from the campground parking lot. Two of the sites are accessible by kayak from Lake Superior.
Showers: Accessible shower buildings are available seasonally in each campground.
Flush Toilets: Accessible flush toilets are available from May through early October in each campground. Year-round flush toilets are available in the Trail Center.
Read more from the park
Picnic Shelter: The enclosed shelter has restrooms, an outdoor patio and an indoor room that serves as a warming house in the winter. The other picnic shelter is smaller and open on all sides. Both are accessible and may be rented by calling the ranger station at 218-595-ROCK (7625).
Accessible: The short, paved trail in picnic area runs 0.25 miles along the shoreline of Lake Superior
All-Terrain Track Chair: One all-terrain, electric powered chair that may be used on designated trails within the park.
- Reserve the chair
- Map of designated trails
- Learn more about track chairs
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 3755 Split Rock Lighthouse Road
Two Harbors, MN 55616 - Nearest town
- Silver Bay — about 7 mi southwest (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 47.2056, -91.3683
- SplitRockLthouse.StatePark@state.mn.us
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Directions from the park
Located about 20 miles northeast of Two Harbors on MN Highway 61.
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Minnesota State Parks and Trails — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- MN DNR A-Z list of state parks and recreation areas (park IDs in server-rendered <noscript> links) + state waysides page; details from the compass feature_detail JSON API used by park.html
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology