Palisade Head
A rhyolite cliff rising straight out of Lake Superior, where you can drive to the top for views of the North Shore coastline and Shovel Point.
Palisade Head is a wall of rhyolite formed by ancient volcanic activity, plunging vertically into Lake Superior. It is one of the most spectacular viewpoints on the North Shore and a popular rock-climbing destination. A narrow winding road leads to a parking lot at the top, where you can see Shovel Point in Tettegouche State Park to the north. Admission is free. Parking spaces are few, large vehicles should not attempt the climb, and there are no guardrails at the cliff edge, so take care.
Opening hours
Open all day (roads closed in winter)
Nearby sights
- Tettegouche State Park
- Split Rock Lighthouse
- Gooseberry Falls State Park
- Two Harbors Light
- North Shore Scenic Drive
- Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory
- Glensheen Historic Estate
- Amnicon Falls State Park