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Features

Go Jump In A Lake: 5 Swimming Beaches

By Shelby Gonzalez

beaches

Duluth: Park Point Beach House

The Park Point Beach House offers access to miles of soft, sandy beach dunes. This swimming beach has every amenity short of monkey butlers: pavilions with picnic tables, a playground, permanent restrooms, a sand volleyball court, a soccer field, concessions, cook-out grills, trash cans, a lifeguard (during the summer months), lots of parking (including handicapped and “large vehicle” parking), and, of course, the beach house (which can be rented for wedding receptions and other events). Lake Superior stays cold during the summer, so be prepared for an invigorating swim. Cross the Aerial Bridge and keep driving until you reach the beach.

Thunder Bay: Boulevard Lake

Boulevard Lake Park in the north end of Thunder Bay is a destination in itself, featuring enough activities to occupy a family or a gaggle of teens for a long, fun-packed day. There’s a beach, of course, with lifeguards, restrooms, changing facilities, a playground, concession stand, tennis courts, putt-putt golf, paddleboat rentals, kilometers of paved recreational trails, and even a view of the distant Sleeping Giant.

Grand Marais: Mink Lake

For the best beach near Grand Marais, head up the Gunflint Trail about 12 miles. Turn right at the Trout Lake Resort sign and proceed down the gravel road. Two miles in lies Mink Lake, which has a fishing deck area and a swimming area beyond it with ample parking. That beach is used often by a summer camp located on the lake.

Ely: Semer’s Beach

Semer’s Beach (pronounced “seemers”) is one of the few sandy swimming beaches in the Ely area. Semer’s is a public park and beach on Shagawa Lake, just west of Ely, with a playground and lifeguard. Given the brevity of the swimming-friendly season, the scarcity of sand beaches in the area, and the proximity to town, it is little wonder that this beach park can get crowded.

Two Harbors: Agate Bay

Agate Bay forms one of the two harbors that gave Two Harbors its name. Along with boat ramps, picnic tables, and plenty of parking, Agate Bay boasts a broad beach known for its agate picking. Agate Bay is more rocky than sandy, so wear proper footwear.



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