One of the Best Hikes Near Duluth

Hike the Jay Cooke State Park Trails

If an outdoor adventure getaway is what you are after, the Jay Cooke State Park trails belong at the top of your Duluth itinerary. The park sits about ten miles southwest of the city, near Carlton, Minnesota, and packs more than fifty miles of trail into a rugged stretch of the St. Louis River gorge. Hikers can choose an easy loop for an afternoon or link into longer sections of the Superior Hiking Trail, which begins its northern route right here in the park. The terrain runs rockier than most Minnesota state parks, and that is exactly what makes the Jay Cooke State Park trails feel like a real adventure rather than a casual walk.

Cross the Swinging Bridge on Silver Creek Trail

Every visit to the park should include the swinging bridge, a 200-foot suspension bridge that crosses the St. Louis River just above a stretch of churning rapids. The Silver Creek Trail, a 3.5-mile loop and part of Minnesota’s Hiking Club Trail system, starts by crossing the bridge before following the river through hardwood forest and looping back to the trailhead. It is one of the best Jay Cooke State Park hiking trails for visitors who want an introduction to the park in two to three hours.

The park is not limited to foot traffic either. Cyclists have eight paved miles of the Willard Munger State Trail, plus roughly thirteen miles of dedicated mountain bike trail. In winter, the same terrain becomes a cross-country skier’s playground, with 32 miles of groomed ski trail and another ten miles set aside for snowshoeing, so this remains one of the best hikes near Duluth in every season. A Minnesota State Parks vehicle permit is required and can be purchased at the park office or online in advance. Fall draws the biggest crowds thanks to the color along the gorge, so plan an early start if you are visiting on a weekend.

Stay at Duluth’s Only Waterfront Bed and Breakfast

Solglimt is the only waterfront Bed and Breakfast in Duluth MN set right on Lake Superior in Canal Park with 120 feet of private beach at the door. Guests wake to a three course breakfast made with local ingredients, then spend the day exploring the park’s trails or Duluth’s other attractions before returning to watch the ships cross the harbor from their suite. It is a comfortable, central home base for anyone planning an outdoor adventure getaway built around Jay Cooke State Park and the rest of what Duluth has to offer.

FAQ About the Jay Cooke State Park Trails

Do you need a permit to hike the Jay Cooke State Park trails?
Yes. A Minnesota State Parks vehicle permit is required for entry and can be purchased at the park office or in advance online.

Where is Jay Cooke State Park located?
The park is near Carlton, Minnesota, about ten miles southwest of Duluth off Minnesota Highway 210.

Can you swim or fish along the trails?
Fishing is permitted in the St. Louis River within the park with a valid Minnesota fishing license, though the river’s fast current and rocky terrain make it unsuitable for swimming.

Are there mountain biking or cross-country ski trails in the park?
Yes. The park has roughly thirteen miles of mountain bike trail and 32 miles of groomed cross-country ski trail in winter.

Ready to build your Duluth adventure around the Jay Cooke State Park trails? Book your stay at Solglimt and make our waterfront Bed and Breakfast in Duluth MN your home base.