Split Rock Lighthouse State Park

We chose a cart-in camping site for our stay (#9, if I recall correctly), and it turned out to be one of the most memorable camping experiences so far. The sites are beautifully but naturally landscaped and feel very secluded. We were there in early October, and the overnight temp dipped to the mid-20s, but it was still fantastic.

The last time I visited Split Rock was back in July of 2005. It was a cool and foggy morning, and the park had just opened, though the lighthouse and visitor center weren’t open yet. As the fog began to clear, we saw a rainstorm over the lake, heading towards us.

Having grown up in Minnesota, I’m used to stunning views and the beauty of nature, but even this sight caught me. The soft, and ominously dark clouds were painted gently with tones of green and purple. As they rolled in so improbably from the southeast (most of Minnesota’s weather comes from the west), the eastern edges of the storm’s underbelly were tinged red with the fire of the rising sun.

Though we made a quick getaway to avoid the coming downpour, this will remain one of the most memorable of my several visits to Split Rock Lighthouse.

We visited here on our way to Ontario. It’s beautiful! We enjoyed hearing the history and touring the lighthouse and the surrounding area. I would like to go back and stay in the area; we saw many cabins nestled on the shore of Lake Superior. You must stop to eat at Betty’s Pies in Two Harbors. There will be a line, but it’s well worth the wait! The meals are terrific and the pies are out of this world!