The Awesome Hike In Minnesota That Will Take You Straight To An Abandoned Lighthouse
By Betsy Rathburn|Published September 02, 2017
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Betsy Rathburn
Author
Betsy is a Minneapolis-based writer who's lived in Minnesota for 20 years. If you know of any amazing Minnesota restaurants, nature areas, or other attractions, feel free to let her know about them at brathburn@onlyinyourstate.com or on Twitter @betsyrathburn.
From ghost towns to abandoned hospitals, Minnesota is a paradise for those who love the world’s forgotten places. In the prairie south, windswept farms add a ghostly appeal to the landscape. And in the north, the eerie remains of the mining boom are just one example of an interesting adventure. You could also take a walk along Duluth’s Park Point Trail to discover the remains of a long-forgotten lighthouse. The beautiful hike is about four miles total and comes with a fascinating ending. Take a look:
Minnesota Point is a seven-mile-long sandbar in Duluth, Minnesota. When paired with the nearby Wisconsin Point, it is the largest freshwater sandbar in the world.
It's also a beautiful place to visit when you're on the North Shore. Just across Duluth's Aerial Lift Bridge, a drive down Minnesota Avenue leads to a well-known beach called Park Point.
Park Point is known for its sandy dunes covered in tall grass. At certain times of year, it almost doesn't look like Minnesota. It's worth a stop, but your journey to the lighthouse starts a little further away.
A gravel trail near Sky Harbor Airport is where you'll begin the four-mile trek to the lighthouse. Follow it for about a mile, heading right at the fork. You'll see the the ruins of some old pumping stations along the way.
This route is a little more challenging - you may have to hop from rock to rock - but it offers some more interesting relics. If the old breakwater doesn't interest you, the sight of waves washing up on the empty beach probably will.
