Minnesota may be called the Land of 10,000 Lakes, but it also has some amazing rock formations that speak volumes about its untamed natural past. Whether you’re a geology enthusiast or simply an adventure-seeker who loves a good view, here are 12 rock marvels you must visit in Minnesota!
1. Split Rock Lighthouse Cliffs
Location: Split Rock Lighthouse State Park
Features: Towering cliffs with dramatic views of Lake Superior. The rocks here are remnants of ancient volcanic activity, weathered over millions of years.
Hike: Try the 4.4-mile Split Rock Loop Trail for stunning cliffside vistas.
2. Palisade Head
Location: Silver Bay, along Highway 61
Features: Sheer rock cliffs formed from volcanic rhyolite lava flows. This spot offers unbeatable views of Lake Superior and is a favorite among climbers.
Hike: A brief, steep hike from the parking lot brings you to the summit.
3. Eagle Mountain Rock Outcrops
Location: Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
Features: The highest spot in Minnesota, with ancient granite and gneiss rock outcrops set amidst peaceful wilderness.
Hike: Follow the 6.3-mile Eagle Mountain Trail through woods and along lakes to the top.
4. Devil’s Kettle Waterfall and Rock Formation
Location: Judge C.R. Magney State Park
Features: An enigmatic pothole in the Brule River where water vanishes into the rocks. Geologists remain baffled by where it goes!
Hike: A 2-mile round-trip hike brings you to this geological curiosity.
5. Sugar Loaf Bluff
Location: Winona
Features: A limestone bluff rising above the town, a remnant of the ancient seabed that once blanketed the region.
Hike: A brief but steep trail brings you to the foot of this unusual formation.
6. Gooseberry Falls Lava Beds
Location: Gooseberry Falls State Park
Features: Basaltic lava flows that have been sculpted by the waterfalls of the Gooseberry River.
Hike: Walk the easy 1-mile Falls Loop Trail for a close-up view of these lava rocks.
7. Blue Mounds Cliff Face
Location: Blue Mounds State Park
Features: A huge quartzite rock face that glows pink in the sun. This site was once part of a huge prairie.
Hike: The Upper Cliffline Trail (1.5 miles) offers a bird’s-eye view of the formations.
8. Tettegouche Shovel Point
Location: Tettegouche State Park
Features: Spectacular volcanic rock cliffs extending into Lake Superior, with spectacular drop-offs and expansive vistas.
Hike: The 1.2-mile Shovel Point Trail is a definite must-see.
9. Pipestone National Monument Quarries
Location: Pipestone
Features: Holy red pipestone quarry sites that have been employed by Native Americans for hundreds of years. The soft pipestone stands out against the harder quartzite that surrounds it.
Hike: A brief, easy Circle Trail (0.75 miles) circles the quarries.
10. Carlton Peak Rock Formations
Location: Tofte, close to the Superior Hiking Trail
Features: Basalt cliffs with sweeping views of the forest and Lake Superior.
Hike: The 3.4-mile out-and-back Carlton Peak Trail is a moderate hike to the top.
11. Devil’s Rockpile
Location: North Shore, close to Grand Marais
Features: A rough group of basalt boulders created by volcanic activity and sculpted by glaciers.
Hike: The brief Cascade River Trail provides a preview of this stone wonder.
12. Mystery Cave Rock Layers
Location: Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park
Features: Dolomite and limestone layers that form complex cave systems. Stalactites and stalagmites make this an underground paradise.
Hike: On the surface, hike the Big Spring Trail (1.6 miles) to experience the surrounding landscape.
These rock formations are as varied as the landscapes of Minnesota, each providing a different window into the state’s geologic past. Whether hiking, climbing, or just taking in the scenery, they’re all worth the visit!
