The Split Rock River Loop is one of the most popular day hikes on Minnesota’s North Shore. Located just 45 minutes northeast of Duluth, Minnesota, it is an accessible day hike that pairs well with a visit to the iconic Split Rock Lighthouse. Much of this 5-mile hike lies on the famous Superior Hiking Trail, and is a great way to get a taste of the rugged, root-laden, muddy conditions the SHT is so famous for.
This is also one of the busiest sections of the SHT, along with the sections in Tettagouche State Park, Temperance River, and the Bean and Bear Lakes loop. Its immediate proximity to Highway 61 makes it a convenient stop for tourists. We highly recommend getting to this one early in the morning to beat the crowds!
Note: the Split Rock River Loop trail suffers from serious erosion problems. It can be extremely tracked out and muddy, even days after a rain. Wear good hiking boots and stay on the trail to keep the problem from getting worse.
With that said, the Split Rock River Loop is popular for good reason. It hugs the Split Rock River like a glove, giving hikers and trail runners views of numerous waterfalls. And, if you’re lucky enough to manage the wet crossing to the second half of the loop (see below), you’ll experience phenomenal views of Lake Superior from the final ridge. It really is the total package of what makes hiking Minnesota’s North Shore so special.
Here is everything you need to know to tackle this iconic Superior Hiking Trail day hike!
Split Rock River Loop Hiking Guide
Parking
The trailhead for the Split Rock River Loop is an easy pullout parking lot from Highway 61. From the south, head about 10 minutes past Gooseberry State Park, and it will be on your left. From the north, keep your eyes peeled on the right hand side of the road – the parking lot is 2.9 miles past Split Rock Lighthouse
This is one of the larger trailheads on the Superior Hiking Trail, but don’t let that fool you. You should still get here early. Between the high volume of day hikers, trail runners, and local fisherman, it fills up quickly!
The Trail
Spur trail to main Superior Hiking Trail
The start of the trail is marked by a gigantic cairn of rocks right next to the parking lot. Due to the bridge crossing being out, nearly all hikers tackle the Split Rock Loop in a clockwise direction. From the cairn, the trail is quite obvious and starts up a short hill into the trees. This is a spur trail that will sync up with the main SHT shortly.
The first section of the trail is pretty straightforward. It is more or less level, tends to be in pretty good shape most of the time, and has fewer roots than the later sections of the trail. Depending on the time of year, you may be able to see or hear the west branch of the Split Rock River down below to your right.
After about .75 miles, you will come across a staircase that descends steeply to your right. Take it – you’re now on the main Superior Hiking Trail route. At the bottom, you’ll encounter a bridge that crosses Strand Creek, which feeds into the Split Rock River. This spot can be quite beautiful, with a lovely waterfall early in the season. By mid-summer, it is just a trickle!
Strand Creek to Split Rock
From Strand Creek, the trail climbs briefly before descending to the Split Rock River for the first time. For the next 1.5 miles or so, your hike or run will follow a recurring rhythm: short, steep climb; descend to river for a beautiful view; rinse and repeat.
Be cautious as you hike this section. When you are right on the river, there’s no problem. But, there are gnarly sections of tree roots higher up that can be falling hazards, particularly when they are slippery. The conditions can be deceiving because of the amount of shade that this section gets. You are in a steep, north-facing ravine, meaning that sun exposure is minimal. It may have been dry and sunny for several days, but the trail will still hold a lot of water. Furthermore, the erosion in this section is significant. Wooden steps have been washed out, twisted, and jumbled, and sections of wooden walkway have been ruined. Be careful!
Not the time to be looking at your phone! 
With that said, the river views that the Split Rock River Loop provides are excellent. You will encounter a series of waterfalls, each of which is unique. Depending on the time of year you are hiking, they can look very different, and be more or less accessible, adding incentive to come back many times and see the river change with the seasons.
After about 1.5 miles, you’ll notice that the path begins to transform into a sort of loose shale. This tells you that you are nearly at the iconic Split Rock formation for which the state park is named. Make sure you stop for a photo opp!
Reaching the Split Rock River Crossing
Many people who hike the Split Rock River turn around once they reach the namesake rock mentioned above. The main reason for this is that the bridge that once spanned the river and allowed for an easy crossing has been out for several years. This is actually the second bridge that has not stood the test of time (see notes below!). Crossing is still possible depending on the conditions, at your own risk. Either way, I highly recommend continuing another quarter mile past the Split Rock to the river crossing, even if you still turn around!
This section of the trail is scenic and beautiful, hugging the river most of the way. It is also a relatively consistent, mellow grade. This means a lack of dramatic waterfalls, but you’ll hardly notice as you admire the unique views and somewhat more gentle whitewater. The photo below is from this section, and it’s always one of my favorite spots on the trail.
As you make your way to the crossing, keep your eyes peeled for the remains of the original bridge at a narrow point in the river. To be clear, this is not your destination. The trail keeps going until it reaches the current bridge, which is also out.
You will also pass the first of four Superior Hiking Trail campsites as you make your way to the river crossing. This one is labeled “SW Split Rock River”. You will find a second one, “NW Split Rock River” just passed the actual river crossing. The other two lie on the other side of the river and are probably more desirable – but this section of trail can be crowded and as they say, beggars can’t be choosers! If you’re interested in camping, check out the map of this section on the SHT website!
At about the 2.5 mile mark from the trailhead, you will see signage for the true river crossing. A short trail brings you to the foundation of the bridge, with messages warning you to keep off. If you want to try to cross the river, you’ll need to climb down to the water level and assess the situation.
Whether or not a wet crossing is feasible depends mainly on the river’s water level and intensity. Ultimately, each person has to decide whether they want to take the risk. In particularly dry seasons, a pool just downriver from the bridge is often doable. Alternatively, I have had luck making my way a stone’s throw upriver and wading the rapids. The photo below was taken in the midst of one such successful attempt, with the bridge visible downriver. To reiterate, crossing these rapids is not considered safe and is undertaken at the hiker’s own risk!
The North Side of the Split Rock River
We’re going to assume you somehow found your way across the river, hopefully without injuring yourself or losing car keys, wallet, or phone in the process.
The trail now takes a hairpin turn and follows the river heading downstream towards Lake Superior. Once again, you’ll be hugging the river and enjoying a new perspective on one of the North Shore’s most picturesque bodies of water. At one point, you’ll find yourself traversing the rocks immediately next to the rapids, making this section a lot of fun.
As you make your way downriver, you’ll begin to encounter waterfalls like you did on the other side of the river. Some of these are the same falls viewed from a different perspective, but there are actually a few sections of the river that you weren’t able to see from the other side. This makes the hike feel fresh and new, even if you are looking at a few of the same things. Keep your eyes peeled for those last two campsites as well – one of them is right on the river and is an absolutely stunning place to spend the night!
Eventually, the trail turns inland. You will cross small rivulets as you gradually climb away from the river. You’ll be in the forest for about a mile before coming to the next big payoff – a short, rocky ridge with gorgeous views of Lake Superior and the Split Rock River valley. If you’re there in mid-late summer, keep your eyes out for reddish-purple Juneberries for a tasty snack while your eyes feast on the views!
From here, you’ll make your way along the ridge, and then the trail takes a bend to the left. Then, you’ll want to keep your eyes peeled for a spur trail to your right that goes down a staircase towards the lake. This is your ticket back to the car. Descend the stairs and follow the ATV trail in front of you. Look both ways and cross Highway 61. From there, you’ll find a paved trail that takes you to the mouth of the Split Rock River. Enjoy the pebble beach, cool off with a dip in the lake, and head through the tunnel under the highway to get back to the parking lot.
Conclusion
The Split Rock River loop is one of the most popular day hikes on the Superior Hiking Trail, or anywhere along Minnesota’s North Shore, and for good reason. It is accessible, less than an hour from Duluth, and has ample parking right off Highway 61. It boasts excellent waterfalls with a trail that stays close the river. Plus, you get the excitement of finding a way to cross the river, if you so choose. When you add on the views of Lake Superior that are available, it really is the total package. My wife and I come here often – hope to see you sometime!
Split Rock River Loop Day Hike – Summary & Trail Stats
- Trail System – Superior Hiking Trail
- Distance – 4.9 miles
- Elevation Gain – 650 feet
- Best For – waterfall-seekers, people looking for an accessible entry point to the SHT
- May Not Be Great For – people who hate mud and tree roots
- Camping on Trail? – 4 free campsites, 2 on each side of the river. First come first serve.
Getting to the Split Rock River Loop
From Duluth
- Follow Highway 61 northbound from Duluth, MN for 43.3 miles
- Look for large parking lot on left side of road – if you hit the Split Rock Lighthouse, you’ve missed it!
From Grand Marais
- Follow Highway 61 southbound from Grand Marais, MN for 66.1 miles
- Look for large parking lot on right hand side of road
For Your GPS
Split Rock River Trailhead, Two Harbors, MN 55616
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