Golden light spills across Lake Superior as the summer sun dips low on the horizon, casting the Aerial Lift Bridge in a warm amber glow while sailboats drift by in silhouette. This isn’t just another sunset—it’s a Duluth summer evening, offering photographers a magical confluence of natural beauty and human engineering that can’t be captured anywhere else. The Northland region spanning Duluth, Superior, and Minnesota’s North Shore transforms into a photographer’s paradise during the summer months, with lush forests, cascading waterfalls, and the vast inland sea of Lake Superior creating an endless canvas of photographic possibilities.
Whether you’re a seasoned professional with top-of-the-line gear or an enthusiastic amateur with just a smartphone, these summer photography locations offer something special for everyone willing to explore. I’ve spent countless dawns and dusks throughout this region, and I’m excited to share these carefully selected spots that showcase the area’s diverse beauty—from hidden forest trails to iconic landmarks.
1. Black Beach (Silver Bay)
Location: Silver Bay, MN (about 55 miles northeast of Duluth on Highway 61)
How to get there: Take Highway 61 to Silver Bay. Turn left onto Outer Drive, then right onto Penn Avenue. Follow signs for Black Beach Park.
What makes it special: Unlike traditional golden sand beaches, Black Beach features striking black pebbles created from taconite tailings, creating a dramatic contrast against Lake Superior’s blue waters. During summer, the beach comes alive with vibrant wildflowers growing among the rocks, and the late afternoon sun creates a captivating interplay of light on the unique shoreline.
Best time to visit: Late afternoon when the sun illuminates the black pebbles, or during sunrise when the morning light creates a mystical atmosphere over the water.
Photography tips: Bring a polarizing filter to cut glare from the water and enhance the rich colors of the black stones. Look for interesting foreground elements like driftwood or the striking red wildflowers that sometimes bloom along the shore. The contrast between the black beach, blue water, and green vegetation creates stunning compositional opportunities.
2. Chester Creek (Duluth)
Location: East Duluth, running from Skyline Parkway down to Lake Superior
How to get there: Park at Chester Bowl Park (1801 E Skyline Pkwy) or access the lower portions from E 4th Street where the creek passes beneath.
What makes it special: This urban wilderness corridor features a series of cascading waterfalls framed by lush summer foliage. The creek creates numerous small pools and rapids as it tumbles down toward Lake Superior, offering intimate landscape compositions often overlooked by visitors focused on larger attractions.
Best time to visit: Early morning (before 9 AM) when the light filters beautifully through the trees and you’ll have more solitude. After summer rain, the water flow increases dramatically, enhancing the falls.
Photography tips: Use a tripod and neutral density filter for those silky water exposures. The overhanging trees create challenging light conditions, so bracket your exposures or use a graduated ND filter. Don’t just photograph the obvious large cascades—look for intimate scenes of water flowing around moss-covered rocks in the dappled light.
3. Park Point Beach (Duluth)
Location: The world’s longest freshwater sandbar, extending from Canal Park
How to get there: Cross the Aerial Lift Bridge from Canal Park and continue down Minnesota Avenue to the public beach areas.
What makes it special: Park Point offers miles of pristine sandy beach with unobstructed views across Lake Superior. The summer brings vibrant sailing regattas, dramatic storm clouds building over the lake, and the possibility of seeing the northern lights reflecting on the water on clear nights.
Best time to visit: During “blue hour” (just after sunset) when the city lights begin to twinkle and the sky transforms through extraordinary color palettes. Early mornings offer misty, ethereal conditions with often perfect reflections.
Photography tips: Use the natural leading lines of the shoreline to create compelling compositions. The old-growth pine forest on parts of the point provides interesting framing elements. Bring a telephoto lens to capture distant ships and sailboats. In June and July, wildflowers bloom along the dunes, adding splashes of color to foreground elements.
4. Stoney Point (Between Duluth and Two Harbors)
Location: About 15 miles northeast of Duluth on Highway 61
How to get there: Look for a small parking area on the lake side of Highway 61 between Duluth and Two Harbors. The turnoff is unmarked but recognizable by several cars often parked there during sunset.
What makes it special: This lesser-known rocky outcropping provides one of the best unobstructed views of Lake Superior. The ancient basalt rock formations create fascinating foreground elements, and during summer storms, the waves crash dramatically against the shoreline.
Best time to visit: Sunset offers the most dramatic lighting as the sun sinks behind Duluth in the distance, illuminating any clouds with spectacular colors. Summer evenings around 8-10 PM provide the best light.
Photography tips: Wear water-resistant footwear to safely navigate the rocks. A wide-angle lens captures the expansive shoreline, while a mid-range zoom helps isolate interesting rock formations. Long exposures during sunset create a dreamy effect with the water. The location is perfect for night photography, with dark skies and the possibility of capturing the Milky Way over the lake.
5. Enger Tower and Park (Duluth)
Location: Skyline Parkway, Duluth
How to get there: Follow Skyline Parkway west from downtown Duluth and watch for signs to Enger Park.
What makes it special: This five-story blue stone observation tower sits atop a hill overlooking Duluth, the harbor, and western Lake Superior. During summer, the surrounding gardens burst with color, and the Japanese Peace Garden offers beautiful foreground elements for your cityscapes.
Best time to visit: The “golden hour” before sunset provides warm light on both the tower and the city below. Summer evenings often feature atmospheric conditions where fog rolls in from the lake, creating mysterious partial views of the cityscape.
Photography tips: Climb to the top of the tower for 360-degree panoramic views. The spiral staircase inside makes for compelling abstract compositions. Use the flowering gardens as foreground elements when shooting wider city views. A telephoto lens allows you to compress the Duluth hillside and harbor into striking urban landscapes.
6. Amnicon Falls State Park (Superior, Wisconsin)
Location: About 7 miles east of Superior, WI on Highway 2/53
How to get there: Take US Highway 2/53 east from Superior for approximately 7 miles. The park entrance is well marked and located directly off the highway.
What makes it special: This often-overlooked gem features a series of beautiful waterfalls along the Amnicon River. The historic covered footbridge makes for a picturesque subject, and in summer, the surrounding forest is lush with deep greens. The falls flow full year-round but are especially beautiful when framed by summer foliage.
Best time to visit: Weekday mornings to avoid crowds. Overcast days actually provide better conditions for photographing the falls by reducing harsh contrast.
Photography tips: Explore beyond the main falls to find smaller cascades with fewer visitors. The covered bridge provides shelter during light rain, letting you continue shooting while adding atmospheric elements to your images. Bring waterproof boots to safely access better angles along the riverbank. A polarizing filter helps cut glare from wet rocks and enhances the rich colors of the surrounding forest.
7. Hawk Ridge (Duluth)
Location: East Duluth, off Skyline Parkway
How to get there: Follow Skyline Parkway east from downtown Duluth until you reach the Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve.
What makes it special: While best known for fall bird migration, Hawk Ridge offers spectacular panoramic views of Duluth and Lake Superior that are perfect for summer landscape photography. The wildflower meadows bloom from June through August, creating beautiful foreground elements.
Best time to visit: Early morning for dramatic light across the lake or late afternoon when the sun illuminates the city below. Summer thunderstorms passing over the lake create dramatic conditions for weather photography.
Photography tips: Bring a graduated neutral density filter to balance the bright sky with the darker landscape. A telephoto lens helps capture detailed views of ships entering the harbor or dramatic weather formations over the lake. The open hilltop location makes it ideal for capturing summer storms from a safe distance as they approach across the lake.
8. Jay Cooke State Park (Carlton)
Location: About 20 minutes southwest of Duluth
How to get there: Take I-35 south from Duluth, then Highway 210 east to the park entrance.
What makes it special: The iconic swinging bridge provides a perfect vantage point over the dramatic, twisted slate rock formations of the St. Louis River. Summer brings lush greenery, wildflowers, and varying water levels that create different moods in your images. Unlike winter when the landscape is monochrome, summer reveals a rich palette of colors in the rocks and surrounding forest.
Best time to visit: Weekday mornings to avoid crowds on the bridge. After summer rains, the river swells and creates more dramatic water patterns through the rock formations.
Photography tips: Beyond the famous bridge view, explore the river trails for unique perspectives of the gorge. Early morning fog often settles in the river valley during summer, creating mystical conditions. The Thompson Cemetery Trail leads to beautiful overlooks that fewer photographers visit. A wide-angle lens captures the dramatic sweep of the river gorge, while a longer lens helps isolate interesting rock formations in the water.
9. Brighton Beach (Kitchi Gammi Park, Duluth)
Location: Northeastern edge of Duluth city limits
How to get there: Follow London Road (Highway 61) northeast from downtown Duluth for about 5 miles. The park entrance will be on your left.
What makes it special: This rocky shoreline offers some of the most accessible Lake Superior photography without the crowds of Canal Park. Massive smooth boulders create endlessly variable foreground compositions, and during summer, you may catch fearless swimmers diving into the still-chilly lake waters, adding a human element to your landscape shots.
Best time to visit: Sunrise for soft light on the rocks and mirror-like reflections when the lake is calm. Summer evenings around 7-9 PM often feature passing lake freighters that can add scale to your compositions.
Photography tips: Wear sturdy shoes to safely navigate the smooth rocks. Experiment with different heights—get low to emphasize interesting rock formations in the foreground or shoot from higher vantage points to capture patterns in the rocky shoreline. A variable ND filter helps control exposure during bright daytime conditions when you want to smooth the water with longer exposures.
10. Hawk’s Ridge Overlook (Duluth)
Location: Eastern Duluth, along Skyline Parkway
How to get there: Follow Skyline Parkway east from downtown Duluth until you reach the designated overlook areas.
What makes it special: This elevated vantage point offers spectacular panoramic views of Lake Superior and the city of Duluth. During summer, the foreground meadows bloom with wildflowers, creating beautiful framing elements for your wide landscape shots.
Best time to visit: Early morning for dramatic light across the lake or late afternoon when the sun illuminates the city below. Summer thunderstorms passing over the lake create dramatic conditions for weather photography.
Photography tips: Bring a graduated neutral density filter to balance the bright sky with the darker landscape. A telephoto lens helps capture detailed views of ships entering the harbor or dramatic weather formations over the lake. The open hilltop location makes it ideal for capturing summer storms from a safe distance as they approach across the lake.
Final Thoughts
The Duluth area transforms dramatically with each season, but summer brings a special energy and vibrancy that makes it particularly rewarding for photographers. The extended daylight hours (with sunset sometimes after 9 PM in June) provide ample opportunity to explore multiple locations in a single day. Whether you’re capturing the dancing light on Lake Superior’s waters or the lush greenery of the northern forests, the Northland offers endless possibilities for creative expression through photography.
Remember to be respectful of private property, practice Leave No Trace principles, and consider the impact of sharing locations on social media. Some of these spots are becoming increasingly popular, and preserving their natural beauty ensures they remain photogenic for generations to come.
What’s your favorite summer photography spot in the Duluth area? I’d love to hear about your experiences or answer any questions in the comments below!
Happy shooting!