Palisade Head Overlook On Lake Superior Closed To Traffic

If you had plans to head to this iconic Lake Superior overlook in Northern Minnesota this fall, heads up.

Access to Palisade Head just north of Silver Bay in Tettegouche State Park is temporarily being impacted by a project going on atop the visitor area of this popular destination. It isn't completely closed to visitors, but it is a lot harder to get to right now.

What's going on at Palisade Head?

Photo by Spencer Bergen on Unsplash

If you've ever been to Palisade Head before, you know there is a narrow, winding road that leads up to a small parking area with some breathtaking panoramic views of Lake Superior and the North Shore. Also at the top of the road near the parking area is a radio tower.

The Minnesota DNR shared that in August the road to the top of Palisade Head would be closed to vesicles during a repainting project for the radio tower. So, while this isn't a brand-new closure, if you don't visit regularly, you might be surprised on a fall trip to the destination.

While the road is closed to vehicular traffic, visitors can still make the hike up to the viewing area on foot.

Admittedly, this might make a stop at this hotspot a no-go for many visitors, as you do have to do a relatively steep uphill hike. It isn't a very long hike, but it is certainly more difficult than driving to the peak in your vehicle.

When will the road to Palisade Head reopen?

Photo by conner bowe on Unsplash

There is no precise date given at this point, but the Minnesota DNR's post on the subject says the project will last "through the end of September".

This might come as a disappointment to many who enjoy catching panoramic fall colors views from atop Palisade Head, but maybe you don't want to do the hike to the top.

Get our free mobile app

Every year is different and it's hard to predict, but there is a chance the peak fall colors in that area of the North Shore could fall toward the end of the month or in early October, which means there's a chance prime viewing won't be impacted much.

Even after peak fall colors, there are still some phenomenal views to take in, so it's worth the visit no matter what!