Palisade Head
Silver Bay, MN
A 100 m rhyolite cliff rising straight out of Lake Superior, with views to the Apostle Islands on clear days. The access road is narrow and steep with a small lot: not suitable for RVs or trailers.
Palisade Head is a rocky cliff on the north shore of Lake Superior in Minnesota, about 3 miles (5 km) northeast of Silver Bay. Its highest point is roughly 335 ft (102 m) above Lake Superior. The cliff belongs to Tettegouche State Park but is not directly connected to the rest of the park.
The rock is a rhyolitic lava flow about 1.1 billion years old and roughly 200 ft (60 m) thick. The cliff sits at milepost 57 on Highway 61, about 54 miles (87 km) northeast of Duluth. An access road climbs to the plateau, where there is short-term parking; otherwise the site is undeveloped. Palisade Head is a regional climbing center, and most routes require traditional gear.
Keep well back from the edge: several people have fallen to their deaths here. The access road has at times been closed for work in the past; please check with the Minnesota DNR beforehand.
- Nearest town
- Silver Bay, MN
- Category
- Scenic viewpoints
- GPS
- 47.3198, -91.2081
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August. Cold, short days in November–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
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Nearby
© Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States · CC BY 2.0Tettegouche State Park
© Sharon Mollerus · CC BY 2.0Split Rock Lighthouse
© Tony Webster from San Francisco, California · CC BY-SA 2.0Gooseberry Falls State Park
© Thesavagenorwegian · CC BY 4.0Temperance River State Park
Campsites nearby
- Tettegouche State Park CampgroundCampsite1 mi from Palisade HeadTentsElectricityShowersToilets
- Black Beach CampgroundCampsite2 mi from Palisade Head · 49 pitchesShowersWi-Fi
- Eckbeck Campground and Day-Use AreaCampsite4 mi from Palisade HeadTentsDrinking water
- North Shore Camping CompanyCampsite7 mi from Palisade HeadTents
- Wildhurst Campground and LodgeCampsite11 mi from Palisade Head
- Gooseberry Falls State Park CampgroundCampsite17 mi from Palisade Head · 69 pitchesDrinking waterShowersWaste disposal
All campsites in Minnesota · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Palisade Head?
Palisade Head is in Silver Bay, MN, at GPS 47.3198, -91.2081. It is about 17 mi from Gooseberry Falls.
Can you camp near Palisade Head?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Tettegouche Cart-in Campground, about 1 mi away; within 25 mi there are 59 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Palisade Head?
Palisade Head is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Minnesota’s North Shore: waterfalls and cliffs to Grand Portage.
What is there to see near Palisade Head?
Places worth a stop nearby: Tettegouche State Park (1 mi), Split Rock Lighthouse (11 mi), Gooseberry Falls State Park (17 mi) and Temperance River State Park (23 mi).
When is the best time to visit Palisade Head?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)