Minnesota is a large state with plenty to do. We have huge, thick forests that rise into high hills like Eagle Mountain or the Sawtooth Range. We have vast swaths of prairie that give way to thousands of sparkling lakes. Each of these is incredibly beautiful, but we all know that Minnesota’s crown jewel is the largest lake of them all. Lake Superior is easily comparable to the earth’s most beautiful oceans. Here are 17 stunning photos that prove it:
- Just like the ocean, Lake Superior can be a calming place to completely relax.
John Lillis/Flickr
- However, this huge lake is not without its rough waters.
Phil Simonson/Flickr
- The drama is at its highest when the Northern Lights reflect off the lake. It’s the most beautiful sight you can see without going to the ocean.
Jason Carpenter/Flickr
- But there is everyday beauty too. This incredible red sunrise over Lake Superior is absolutely amazing.
Howard Ignatius/Flickr
- Along its many miles of shoreline, you’ll find plenty of lovely beaches, just like the ocean.
Ryan Fonkert/Flickr
- However, these beaches may be even more interesting to visit. Most are strewn with pebbles and stones. If you’re lucky, you’ll find a Lake Superior agate.
Scott Costello/Flickr
- Even in winter, Lake Superior offers otherworldly beauty to all who pause to look at it.
Jessica Lee Jensen/Flickr
- And throughout the year, choppy waters overtake this largest of great lakes. After you see the waves in person, it’s not surprising that this lake hosts many shipwrecks.
Randen Pederson/Flickr
- Many more shipwrecks were prevented by Lake Superior’s lighthouses. In Minnesota, Split Rock stands as one of the most picturesque lighthouses in the entire world.
Ruin Raider/Flickr
- Other rocky cliffs dominate Minnesota’s Superior coastline, too. Palisade Head and Shovel Point are the most famous, but many smaller ones are just as gorgeous.
Randen Pederson/Flickr
- It’s hard to find a good, high vantage point from an ocean beach. But on Lake Superior’s cliffs, you can see for miles.
Mr.OutdoorGuy/Flickr
- The lake isn’t just for looking at. Many use it for boating, fishing, and more.
Garret Voight/Flickr
- When the waters are rough, some brave souls take to surfing Lake Superior’s icy depths.
Randen Pederson/Flickr
- They may not be tropical palm trees, but the forests that line Lake Superior offer up a quiet beauty all their own.
Amy Lenzo/Flickr
- Here, the Temperance River flows into Lake Superior. It makes for a beautiful scene that you just aren’t going to find on a day at the beach.
John W. Iwanski/Flickr
- You also aren’t likely to find a fall landscape at a tropical beach. But in Minnesota’s Lake Superior, you’ll see some of the most beautiful fall colors imaginable. They’re even better when reflected in the lake.
Josh Haroldson/Flickr
- They may not be icebergs, but winter brings chunks of ice that make the lake look like an alien landscape. It is absolutely breathtaking.
Sharon Mollerus/Flickr
What do you think? When is your favorite time to visit Lake Superior? How do the Great Lakes measure up against the ocean? Let us know in the comments below!
John Lillis/Flickr
Phil Simonson/Flickr
Jason Carpenter/Flickr
Howard Ignatius/Flickr
Ryan Fonkert/Flickr
Scott Costello/Flickr
Jessica Lee Jensen/Flickr
Randen Pederson/Flickr
Ruin Raider/Flickr
Mr.OutdoorGuy/Flickr
Garret Voight/Flickr
Amy Lenzo/Flickr
John W. Iwanski/Flickr
Josh Haroldson/Flickr
Sharon Mollerus/Flickr
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