🏆🏆🏆 North Shore Rest — Lake Superior wayside honoring a beloved North Shore conservationist
Ray Berglund State Wayside is a lakeside rest stop on Lake Superior’s North Shore near Finland, Minnesota. Named for Ray Berglund — a local conservationist who championed North Shore protection — the wayside offers lake access, picnicking, and stunning views across the world’s largest freshwater lake. The rocky shoreline is excellent for agate hunting — Lake Superior agates, formed in volcanic gas pockets 1.1 billion years ago, are Minnesota’s state gemstone.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Near Finland, Lake County, MN |
| Entry Fee | Free |
| Lake | Lake Superior (world’s largest) |
| Agates | MN state gemstone! (1.1 billion years) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find agates?
Look for translucent stones with orange, red, or amber banding among the beach gravel. They’re easiest to spot when wet. Early morning light and recently storm-churned beaches offer the best hunting.
How big is Lake Superior?
Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake by surface area on Earth — 31,700 square miles. It’s 350 miles long, 160 miles wide, and up to 1,332 feet deep. Superior holds 10% of the world’s surface fresh water — 3 quadrillion gallons. The lake creates its own weather — generating fog, storms, and lake-effect snow that dramatically affect the surrounding region.
More parks nearby: Gitchi-Gami State Trail is a short drive away, while Tettegouche State Park lies a short drive away.
💎 Visit Ray Berglund Wayside
Agate hunting — billion-year-old gemstones on Superior’s North Shore.
About Ray Berglund Wayside
Ray Berglund State Wayside on Minnesota’s North Shore provides a scenic rest stop along the Lake Superior shore. The wayside offers views across the world’s largest freshwater lake (by surface area — 31,700 square miles) and access to the basalt shoreline. The North Shore of Lake Superior is often compared to the coast of Maine for its rugged beauty.
Things to Do
Viewing Lake Superior from the shore, picnicking, photography, agate hunting on the basalt beach, and continuing the spectacular North Shore scenic drive.
Insider Tips
North Shore stop: Ray Berglund Wayside offers Lake Superior access along the scenic North Shore Drive. Pro tip: The wayside is a perfect picnic spot — rocky shoreline, crashing waves, and views across the largest freshwater lake on Earth (by surface area). Lake Superior facts: Superior holds 10% of the world’s surface fresh water — enough to cover all of North and South America in one foot of water.
Best Time to Visit
Fall: Warm days, cool lake air, and foliage. Summer: Lake access and picnicking. Spring: Ice breakup — dramatic. Winter: Sea smoke and ice formations.
Wildlife & Nature
Ray Berglund Wayside — on the North Shore — provides Lake Superior beach access. Lake Superior agates wash up on the cobblestone beach. Bald eagles patrol the shoreline. Common loons fish offshore.
Nearby Attractions
Two Harbors — nearby. Split Rock Lighthouse — nearby. Gooseberry Falls SP — nearby. North Shore Scenic Drive — Hwy 61.
Park Location
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