Silver Bay offers several distinct travel interests: named sections of the Gitchi-Gami State Trail and Superior Hiking Trail, a public golf course, and the maritime history of the Hesper. When planning, it’s worth considering trail format and mileage together: a section between two trailheads is not the same as a loop option or the route to a destination. Golf and a water-trail connection offer additional, different kinds of options.
Trail Routes and Hiking Options
The Gitchi-Gami State Trail passes through Beaver Bay and continues to Silver Bay. The section from Gooseberry Falls State Park to Silver Bay is 17.3 miles long. The sequence of towns places Silver Bay along the route, while the 17.3 miles refers to the section starting at Gooseberry Falls State Park. So, when comparing different trail options, consider the named start and end points as well as the mileage.
The Penn Blvd. Trailhead on the Superior Hiking Trail is in Silver Bay. From there, the 6.8-mile Bean and Bear Lakes Loop hiking option, also called the Twin Lakes Trail, begins. You reach the lakes after 3.6 miles on the main trail; this distance along the route should not be confused with the total length of the loop option.
Another section of the Superior Hiking Trail runs from the Lax Lake Road Trailhead in Beaver Bay to the Penn Blvd. Trailhead in Silver Bay and is 4.4 miles long. The 4.4 miles refers to a section between two trailheads, while 6.8 miles refers to the loop option starting at the Penn Blvd. Trailhead. So, when comparing them, consider both the start and end points and the route format, not just the mileage.
The Silver Bay Multi-Modal Trail Center offers parking, restrooms, and coin-operated showers. If you plan to use any of these facilities during your visit, check their current availability in advance.
Harbor, Hesper, and Water Trail
The Hesper was lost in 1905 after a storm drove the ship onto a reef at the southwestern edge of Silver Bay Harbor. The wreck broke apart on this reef in 42 feet of water. The two figures have different meanings: 1905 dates the loss, while 42 feet indicates the depth at which the wreck broke apart. The story thus links a specific point in time with a precisely identified location.
Black Beach is a designated safe harbor on the Lake Superior Water Trail, providing another water-trail connection alongside the harbor history of the Hesper.
Golf with Clear Course Details
The Silver Bay Golf Course is a public, regulation nine-hole course with a par of 36. It measures 3,173 yards from the back tees. Nine holes and a par of 36 describe the course type; the length is specified from the back tees. Different criteria apply when comparing it with trail options: for golf, the number of holes, par, and tee location matter; for hiking trails, the start and end points and route format are relevant.
Discover more destinations: Two Harbors.
Return to the main travel overview: Lake County.
