The Duluth Lakewalk is a beautiful, roughly 8-mile walking/biking/running route on paved paths with aamazing views of Lake Superior. My favorite route on the Duluth Lakewalk is detailed here, along with where to park and several recommended stops.
The Duluth Lakewalk route goes from Bayfront Park to Brighton Beach (Kitchi Gammi Park). The Duluth Lakewalk started out as just a half-mile path in 1986, before becoming the fantastic path it is today, due in large part to efforts of the non-profit organization Friends of the Duluth Lakewalk which is dedicated to preserving, protecting and improving the Duluth Lakewalk.
Where to Park at the Duluth Lakewalk Trail
There are several different options on parking for the Duluth Lakewalk trail. I’ll give you a couple solid choices, including my favorite spot to park when using the Duluth Lakewalk trail.
🌟 Parking at the lot near Beacon Pointe rentals
Oddesey Resorts operates Beacon Pointe on Lake Superior, which looks to be a fairly unique place to stay right near Duluth if you’re in the market for a condo-style hotel. I’ve not stayed there previously, so my favorite part of that little slice of Duluth is the free city parking lot where we can start my favorite route along the Duluth Lakewalk.
I park in the free lot by Beacon Pointe and get my feet moving toward Canal Park. It’s just about a 2.5 mile walk, taking between 45-60 minutes depending on your walking pace. The only downside to any day on the Duluth Lakewalk is that the weather can change dramatically at any moment. Hey, it’s Lake Superior and if you know, you know (to always wear layers 😀).
Public Parking Lot for the Duluth Lakewalk trail
2099-2001 E Water St, Duluth, MN 55812
(Google Maps uses the the range of addresses, but you can just type one or the other into your GPS and you’ll get close)
🌉 Parking at Canal Park in Duluth
Parking at Canal Park is a popular option since there are plenty of things to do right near your parking spot. When I’m there, I like to park in the lot adjacent to Canal Park Brewery. You can then do the reverse of the map you see at the top of the article, head out then head back to Canal Park.
Public Parking Lot in Canal Park (paid lot depending on the hours/day)
300 Canal Park Dr, Duluth, MN 55802
What you’ll see on this route
What I really love about this route is the sights you’ll see along the way. The Friends of the Duluth Lakewalk have done an incredible job working with the city to create a fantastic walking/running/biking path for us all to enjoy.
Pollinator Gardens
Along the Duluth Lakewalk, there are 8 different pollinator gardens. These beautiful and naturally functional flower gardens have been managed in partnership with Duluth Monarch Buddies and the Arrowhead Chapter of Wild Ones native plant organization since 2018. Read more about the Duluth Lakewalk pollinator gardens and see maps of each pollinator garden.
Leif Erikson Park
A beautiful open space with a unique stage structure, Leif Erikson park is an interesting location along the Duluth Lakewalk. This space was originally called both Cullum Park and Lake Shore Park before being renamed Leif Erikson Park in 1927. In that year Bert Enger purchased the replica vessel Leif Erikson, which had just sailed all the way from Bernan, Norway to Duluth, MN. Enger purchased the ship and donated it to the city on the condition it be placed in the park and the park renamed in its honor. At this time, the replica Leif Erikson ship sits in storage awaiting a permanent structure to be built at the park to house the delicate relic.
Be sure to check out Perfect Duluth Day for updated events at Leif Erikson park.
Here is a series of photos showing the amphitheater stage structure at Leif Erikson park. Notice the cool view of the Aerial Lift Bridge through one of the turret windows.
The Duluth Rose Garden
The rose garden is 4.5 acres that’s included in Leif Erikson park. The garden has more than 3,000 rose bushes and other plants. There is a gazebo where many weddings have taken place, along with a Leif Erikson statue and a beautiful fountain. There are also restrooms there which are open seasonally.
Fitgers (shopping & restaurants)
Nestled along the scenic shores of Lake Superior in Duluth, Minnesota, the historic Fitger’s complex offers an enchanting mix of old-world charm and contemporary comfort. The building, originally constructed in 1885, once housed the thriving Fitger’s Brewery. It began its storied life as the Lake Superior Brewery in 1857, a testament to Duluth’s rich brewing heritage. Under the guidance of August Fitger, a brewmaster from Germany, the brewery flourished and was even able to navigate through Prohibition by pivoting to produce sodas and sweets.
In a loving nod to its roots, the old brewery was thoughtfully transformed in the mid-1980s into a charming boutique hotel and a bustling shopping and dining hub. We definitely recommend a stop at the Fitgers complex if you haven’t been there before.
Shopping at Fitger’s is an experience in itself. The complex’s corridors, lined with vintage photographs and brewery memorabilia, lead visitors through a variety of local boutiques and specialty stores. From handcrafted goods and fine art to outdoor apparel and wellness products, the array of shopping options caters to all tastes and needs.
Culinary delights abound at Fitger’s, where dining options range from casual eateries to upscale bistros. The centerpiece, a brewpub located in the old brewery space, serves a selection of craft beers that honor its frothy past. Paired with a menu of modern American favorites, it’s a place where history meets the palate with delightful flair.
Va Bene Restaurant
Read our full article on Va Bene Restaurant.
Portland Malt Shoppe (seasonal)
In a majestic little building originally built in the 1920s as a gas station for the Northwestern Oil Company, the Portland Malt Shoppe is a true gem along the Duluth Lakewalk. The shop sells malts, floats, and ice cream of all sorts and is typically open between May 1st and September 30th.
Canal Park
Canal Park in Duluth, Minnesota, stands as a vibrant testament to the city’s transformation from an industrial port to a lively cultural hub. This bustling lakeside district, once lined with warehouses and docking piers, now buzzes with energy from locals and visitors alike through all seasons.
It’s here, with the majestic Aerial Lift Bridge as its backdrop, that you can get a good feel for one portion of the spirit of Duluth. The iconic bridge, an engineering marvel, offers a gateway to the Great Lakes ships as they navigate the canal, a sight that never ceases to captivate.
The charm of Canal Park lies in its seamless blend of outdoor activities and urban pleasures. Strolling along the scenic Lakewalk, visitors are treated to panoramic views of Lake Superior, often punctuated by the sights of kayakers braving the crisp waters and children skimming stones.
Nearby, cozy cafés, local boutiques, and fine dining establishments nestle against this waterfront setting, offering refreshments and unique finds. As night descends, the area transforms with the warm glow of street lamps and the lively buzz of entertainment venues, confirming Canal Park as a solid corner of Duluth’s cultural and social scene.
What’s the Weather Like in Duluth Today? Check the Duluth Lakewalk Webcam
If you’re wondering what the weather conditions are on the Duluth Lakewalk trail before you head out for your walk, you should pop online and check the live feed of the Duluth Canal Webcam. This 24/7 live Duluth webcam is located on the roof of the Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center in Duluth.
The Duluth canal webcam points toward the Duluth Canal entrance, just beyond the iconic Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge, showing one end of the Duluth Lakewalk trail and also giving you a birds-eye view of ships entering the canal — always an awesome sight to behold.
Let’s Take a Walk
If you’re in Duluth, MN and the weather looks good to you, make sure you take a stroll, run, or bike ride down the Duluth Lakewalk. It’s a great trail with a fabulous view that you’ll keep coming back to again & again.
