Black Beach, Minnesota: Visit This Unique North Shore Stop
One of the biggest reasons that I wanted to visit Hawaii was to visit a black sand beach, and I had no idea that there was one right here in Minnesota!
Black Beach in Silver Bay is a small beach along Lake Superior that has black sand, which is something completley different from everywhere else here.
I grew up visiting the North Shore and often spent time at Black Beach! Tyler and I still visit here during almost every visit because of how beautiful it is!
Let’s dive into everything that you need to know for visiting this unique destination!
What is Black Beach & Why Should I Visit?
While Minnesota is well known for having thousands of lakes and beaches, this one is just a bit different than the rest.
Silver Bay’s Black Beach is a small beach on the North Shore of Lake Superior that as the name suggests, has black sand.
When I first visited, I was actually blown away because I thought that it was only something that I would see in Iceland or Hawaii or somewhere besides Minnesota.
Boy was I wrong!
This stunning beach located just off of Highway 61, making it a great stop on a road trip or visit to the North Shore. And because of that, there really isn’t any hiking required!
Many people visit the beach for taking senior photos or engagment pictures, and of course you’ll see other people, like myself, who are just there for the nature shots.
Since it’s right along the highway and is about halfway between Duluth and Grand Marais, it really is the perfect spot to stop, stretch your legs, and play in the water.
Well, the water is pretty cold since it’s in Lake Superior. But on really hot days, I have seen little ones splashing around! Just brace yourself!
I personally love Black Beach because of how unique it is, and because it almost feels otherworldly. There really isn’t anything else like it in Minnesota, so it gives me that feeling that I’ve left the state and am traveling.
It really is a beautiful place to stop, and I recommend it for your visit! Some people even plan to visit the beach during a winter visit to the North Shore! Which is cold, but I imagine stunning.
I’ve visited during the fall months and it looks fairly similar, although there are some great trees around that showcase some great North Shore fall foliage!
Why is The Beach Black?
I’ve heard a lot of questions asking why the beach is actually black, and some people have said that it’s because of volcanic activity.
But this actually isn’t true.
The beach is black because it was at one point used as a dumping point for taconite by the North Shore Mining Company.
So technically, this isn’t a natural black beach – but that doesn’t make it any less cool to visit!
However, in 1972 the dumping was put to a stop. Thank goodness. Since then, it’s just become a popular place for photos, hanging out, and was once a hidden gem.
It’s a bit more popular now, but still well worth the stop!
How to Get to Black Beach (It’s a Bit Hidden)
Although the beach isn’t that hard to get to, you’ll want to pay attention to make sure you don’t make the same mistake as I did and end up at the wrong beach.
The first time I visited, I stopped too early on the road and ended up at the completely wrong stop and was so clueless as to why the sand wasn’t actually black. Duh.
Putting ‘Black Beach Silver Bay‘ into Google Maps works fairly well.
This is going to lead you to a road just after Silver Bay. Follow this until you get to Water Plant Drive.
Now here’s where you’ll need to pay attention. Instead of stopping where Google Maps tells you to, continue going almost all the way to the end of Water Plant Drive.
You’ll pass two other parking lots along the way before you finally get to the final parking lot. Just before the end of the road, you’ll see a small parking lot on your left. Stop here.
From here there’s a few different trails that lead you right down to the beach. They might look a little overgrown (at least they have during my visits), but they will lead you right down onto Black Beach!
What You’ll Find at Black Beach
Aside from the beach itself, which has a pretty wide open space to spread out and enjoy, there are a few other things that you’ll find.
There’s a huge rock formation just off the beach that some people climb up to get a better view. Disclaimer here, this can be very dangerous, slippery, and I wouldn’t recommend it.
But it is pretty beautiful, and you’ll see it in most pictures that you see taken while at Black Beach.
There are also fire rings and picnic tables scattered around the beach, which make it the perfect spot to bring lunch and relax during your North Shore visit.
There aren’t any bathrooms on the beach, but there are some at a few of the parking lots as well as at the campground that you passed on the way here.
Other Things To Do Nearby
The North Shore is packed, and I mean PACKED, with things to do during your visit. And if you’re at Black Beach, you’re actually in one of the best locations for activities.
Here are some of my favorite things to do near Black Beach.
Tettegouche State Park
My favorite state park in Minnesota is Tettegouche State Park in Silver Bay. It has a lot of great hikes like Shovel Point and High Falls.
You can really just start at the visitor center, find a trail, start walking, and end at a beautiful view. I mean, I would still use AllTrails. But it’s full of beauty!
There are lots of different cabins nearby, campgrounds, and other places to stay! So that you’ll be near all of the action in Silver Bay.
Gooseberry Falls State Park
Here’s another of the North Shore’s favorite state parks. It has one of the most well known waterfalls – Gooseberry Falls.
This park is VERY popular and the falls are typically surrounded by people. Which is why I always recommend taking one of the hiking trails and heading to Fifth Falls!
It’s a bit more off the beaten path, so far fewer people! Plus the falls are great.
Palisade Head
One of my favorite viewpoints on all of the North Shore is Palisade Head. Plus this stop is only about 5 minutes away from Black Beach!
Palisade Head is a lookout point where you can see for miles off the shore of Lake Superior. I always keep an eye out for Shovel Point, which you can see down the shore.
It’s a huge overlook with tons of space to wander, but the parking lot is small. So try to get there as early in the day as you can!
Split Rock Lighthouse State Park
A little bit further back near Two Harbors is Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. This is kind of the quintessential state park on the North Shore.
There are lots more hiking trails here as well as the namesake lighthouse which is perched on top of a rocky cliffside.
Everytime that I’ve been here it’s been pretty busy, so I would expect crowds. But it’s well worth making the stop, even for the Day Hill hike or to walk the beach near the lighthouse.
Grand Marais
My favorite little town on the North Shore is Grand Marais, since there is so much to do here.
From quaint little restaurants to amazing hiking trails and other small shops to stop into, Grand Marais is exactly what you would picture a small “coastal” town to be on Lake Superior.
My favorite stops are The Fisherman’s Daughter for food and White Sky Rock for incredible views. I also love the Superior Trading Post for cute gifts!
Frequently Asked Questions About Black Beach
Can You Swim at Black Beach in Minnesota?
Yes, you can swim at Black Beach! Really the only thing that might stop you is the temperatures. Lake Superior is always really cold, so use caution. It’s too cold for me!
When is Minnesota’s Black Beach Open?
The beach is open year-round! Be sure to plan your visit accordingly though, because the waves on Lake Superior can be pretty gnarly.
Conclusion: Black Beach, Minnesota
All in all, Black Beach, Minnesota is a must-see spot if you’re visiting the North Shore. Even though it’s not as hidden as it once was, it’s still beautiful and its uniqueness alone is enough to make people want to see it!
So during your next North Shore trip, be sure to swing into Black Beach and stay for a while!
