Ray Berglund State Wayside

Tucked along Minnesota’s North Shore Scenic Drive in Cook County, Ray Berglund State Wayside has served as a quiet refuge for travelers since 1951. Named for a local conservationist, this small wayside offers something increasingly rare along the popular Highway 61 corridor: an unhurried pause with Lake Superior stretching to the horizon.

The wayside sits between Tofte and Schroeder, where the rugged Sawtooth Mountains meet the lake. Pull off the highway and you’ll find picnic areas shaded by birch and spruce, with stone and timber structures characteristic of Minnesota’s mid-century park architecture. A short path leads to the rocky shoreline, where volcanic basalt ledges jut into Superior’s cold, clear water — ideal for skipping stones or watching waves crash during a fall storm.

Visitors use the wayside as a launching point for nearby hiking along the Superior Hiking Trail, which crosses through this stretch of the North Shore. Fishing, photography, and simple lakeshore exploration round out the main activities. This is not a destination park with extensive programming — it’s a roadside gem meant for slowing down.

No camping facilities are available on-site, but several state parks and campgrounds line the North Shore within a short drive. Temperance River and Crosby Manitou state parks both sit nearby.

The best time to visit is September through mid-October, when the North Shore’s famous fall color peaks and summer crowds thin out. Winter brings dramatic ice formations along the shore for those willing to brave the cold.

Explore Nearby

• Grand Marais Light — Lighthouse in Minnesota
• Devils Island Light — Lighthouse in Wisconsin
• Superior National Forest — National Forest in Minnesota
• Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness — Dark Sky Site in Minnesota
• Wisconsin Lake Superior Scenic Byway — Scenic Byway in Wisconsin