Black Beach Park - Silver Bay, MN
Black Beach Park – A Unique Dog-Friendly Destination in Silver Bay, MN
Black Beach Park in Silver Bay, Minnesota, is a hidden gem and a favorite spot for both locals and visitors seeking a beautiful, pet-friendly destination on the North Shore. Famous for its distinctive iron ore sand, this park features striking black-pebble beaches, clear cold waters, picnic areas with scenic views, and kid-friendly activities like skipping stones and exploring nearby hiking trails. The south parking area puts you closest to the beach and offers bathrooms as well as picnic tables right on the sand, where you can take in panoramic views of Lake Superior.
While not a dedicated off-leash dog park, Black Beach Park welcomes leashed pets to enjoy its unique shoreline, rocky outcrops, and pet-friendly paths that wind around the area. There are plenty of benches, picnic spots, and even fire pits for relaxing, making this an ideal place for family outings or a relaxing day with your dog. The park also provides access to nearby hiking trails, perfect for those seeking a bit of adventure on the beautiful North Shore.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Is there a swimming area? Yes, the beach offers swimming areas in Lake Superior. The water is famously cold but crystal clear.
- Are picnics or BBQs allowed? Yes, there are picnic tables and fire pits available for use, especially near the south parking area.
- Are there benches or seating areas for owners? Yes, there are plenty of benches and picnic tables with scenic views of the lake.
- Are restrooms available? Yes, both parking areas have restroom facilities available for visitors.
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park? Yes, the area features pet-friendly hiking trails and rocky paths to explore.
- Where is the best place to park? The south parking area is closest to the black beach and amenities like bathrooms and picnic tables.
Reviews
Truly a gem! Was so beautiful and clean, there were also plenty of benches to sit on incase you wanted to have a picnic. Many people were just chilling, either reading books, enjoying the beautiful waters, or exploring on the small, connected island! I had a fantastic time exploring, even went for a swim, and will be going back.
This is the perfect place to spend a day relaxing.
Black beach was a fun stop for a quick rest break. It’s a mix of small pebbles and larger sand. Deep in color and almost black when wet. Bring sand toys for the kids which will keep them busy.
Kids loved finding flat skipping rocks. Could spend hours there. Lots of picnic areas and even fir pits around the beach.
Even though it’s on the main road, it was nearly empty of people. The rocks are the iron ore tailings and are round and softer on the feet. The beach is uniquely small. The waves are pretty big for a lake, but Lake Superior is really a small, fresh water ocean. This is a nice place to stop …
Such an amazing experience and something you don’t see anywhere else. Don’t plan on doing more than standing ankle deep as the water is super cold, but crystal clear and beautiful. Our kids played all day around the rocks and hiking trails. Be sure to go to the south parking area as Google took us to the north one and it took a lot of hiking before we figured out we weren’t even on the right beach. Both parking areas have bathrooms and picnic tables, but the south location has them out on the black beach for an amazing view while eating.