Wildberry Rae

Let’s take a weekend trip “up north” to Duluth, Minnesota. What’s not to love about the world’s largest natural freshwater sandbar, the iconic lift bridge, being so close to countless amazing state parks, and local parks worthy of state park status?

I’ll walk you through the incredible outdoor options here in Duluth, as a local.

1. Canal Park Sailboat Regatta (Sailboat Races)

Sailboat races are one of my favorite things to do outdoors in Duluth, aside from hiking. If I’m in Canal Park, there’s a good chance it’s for this. Sailboat races are best experienced on a sunny day, with a little breeze on the lake. These races will draw a crowd, both participating in the race and watching from land. You’ll be able to find these races on Wednesday evenings or Sunday afternoons, traveling up and down Park Point. The Duluth Yacht Club (DYC) actually already has their 2024 schedule posted! Wednesdays are usually at 6:15pm, and Sundays at 1:00pm. The buoy they race to is directly off shore of the Park Point Beach House, so you can view from Canal Park, or anywhere on the way to the beach house.

My favorite spot however, (even after working as a lifeguard at the beach house and viewing the races while on shift), is hands-down from Canal Park. Show up a bit before the race, or stay until a bit after to watch the sailboats go under the bridge. It’s truly a Duluth experience!

2. Hiking in Chester Park

In my mind, Chester park has three areas: Lower Chester, Upper Chester, and Chester Bowl. (Not sure if that’s how the city defines it, but it’s how I and many others do). The upper and lower sections of Chester are where you’ll find incredible hiking. You can also hike along the rim of the bowl for some good views, and to make your hike much longer. Pro tip: know how to ID Thimbleberries if you’re planning to hike along the rim of Chester Bowl. They cover this area in the summer, and make for a delicious mid-hike treat.

Start your Chester Park hike either from the top or the bottom: from the road near Burrito Union, or from the parking area of Chester Bowl. Either one works, but I prefer starting from the lower bowl so I’m only walking uphill during the first half of the hike.

Chester park will let you walk along a canyon in the heart of the city, cross over beautiful bridges, hike up tree root stairs, and enjoy waterfall after waterfall. This hike is a great way to get outdoors, and is the place I come back to time and time again.

3. Hiking in Congdon Park

Congdon park should be a north shore Minnesota state park. Seriously. The state parks are really missing out. Be prepared for massive waterfalls, walking along the bottom of a canyon, and beautiful trees growing out the side of walls and rocks.

Congdon may be one of the smaller parks, but it is arguably the best hiking between Jay Cooke and Gooseberry Falls State Park. I’ll let the photos show you what I don’t think I can describe. This park should absolutely be on your to-do list for any Duluth trip.

4. Park Point Beach: Rocks, Swimming, Hiking

Park Point beach is a must, but you can really pick your activity here. Hunt for rocks and sea glass along the entire beach and discover treasures. Or, find your favorite spot to swim, and relax on the sand. What’s that? You’re more of a hiker? No worries – head to the end of the road on Park Point and continue your journey on foot through sand, trees, and past a small abandoned lighthouse to Minnesota point.

Be warned: Lake Superior is a cold lake, even in the summer. It also acts like an ocean, with strong currents possible pulling you out into the lake (ripcurrents) or more commonly, pulling you along the shoreline. Bring a floatie to enjoy the lake without completely freezing, but keep an eye on the shore and know where you are. You also are advised to watch the flags on park point indicating the water conditions. Have fun during green flag days! Be cautious on yellow flag 1-2ft wave days, and stay out of the water on 3ft+ wave days (unless you’re a surfer of some sort or willing to make poor decisions).

Head to the Park Point Beach House operated by the City of Duluth for a staffed waterfront to make sure you’re staying safe, and enjoy a shelter with bathrooms and outdoor showers to rinse off. Some days it may be closed due to a wedding or event, but most days you can enjoy the beach house with only a few other people there.

5. Island Lake Kayaking

Island Lake is technically outside of Duluth. It’s maybe in Hermantown? It’s over the hill and back into the woods a ways, but is perfect for any day trip kayaker or canoer.

Where will I get a Kayak or Canoe, you might ask? Check out the Recreational Sports and Outdoor Program (RSOP) at the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD). They affordably rent most gear, big or small. Check their hours, as they will likely change with each new semester and summer break.

6. Nearby Camping: Jay Cooke State Park

If you’re looking to get in the outdoors the whole day, including at night, you’ll need to find a good campsite. Jay Cooke and Gooseberry Falls are the closest state parks, both with great camping options. Jay Cooke is closer to Duluth than Gooseberry Falls, and the competition for a camping spot is miles less than at Gooseberry. The campground is large, but not overwhelming, and there are some great trails to explore. Most notably, the swinging bridge and river. This is a great spot to stay at that isn’t too far from the city!

7. Hartley Nature Center

The Hartley Nature Center is fantastic! They have a play area for kids, and lots of hiking and biking trails of all terrain levels. If you have your own kayak or canoe, launch it at Hartley Pond for a small adventure. They also have a rack of canoes on-site, but I’m not sure if these are offered for rent.

You can also get lost in the pine trees, or the boardwalk on the swamp, or in the beautiful green wooded areas. One of our favorite discoveries this past summer during our hikes was the discovery of ghost plants! We had never seen these plants before, and they grow in abundance in some areas right by the trail, so keep your eyes open!

Hartley Nature Center isn’t known for waterfalls, wild elevation gains, or other things that Chester and Congdon specialize in. BUT, Hartley is a fantastic basic park that offers more leisurely and accessible options. They are worth a visit if you’re in the area for more than 1-2 days. See you in Duluth!