This is a short drive to the top for some truly incredible views. A word of caution do not leave young children unattended it is a shear drop of hundreds of feet. on almost any day in the summer you will see rock climbers ascending the various routes on the cliff face. The view is so dramatic that several motion pictures have been filed at this location. Another plus is that this area of the Minnesota north shore of lake Superior has the highest concentration of waterfalls anywhere in the contiguous United States. We have visited many of them over a dozen times times and are still awestruck. I should make a separate review of the high fall of the Baptism river inside the state park in silver Bay a few miles away. You will run out of time before you run out of amazing scenery.

Spectacular views of the North Shore of Lake Superior including Shovel Point from this elevated point projecting into the lake. Look for the turn off of Hwy 61 for the 1 mile narrow winding road up to the observation point. Limited parking available. Favorite spot of rock climbers which is pretty cool to watch.

Palisade Head offers a spectacular vista above Lake Superior on North Shore. It is a granite cliff, created in the Ice Age, and favored by rock climbers and tourists who would like to take some beautiful pictures, set up a picnic lunch, or just gaze at the lake and reflect. It is accessed from Highway 61, and there is parking at the bottom of the attraction, with a sign giving historic information, and more parking at the top. Parking is limited, and on a beautiful day, some cars reach the top, and must turn around and descend back to Highway 61, for lack of parking. Best times to go are earlier in the day, before crowds begin to appear there ... also, early evening. As you look out over the lake, Shovel Point can be seen to the left. As with any natural cliff formation, extreme care must be taken with children, and those whose curiosity would lead them to walk or sit close to the edge. Rocks or boulders can shift or collapse in the blink of an eye. Assume that farther away from the edge is better, and safer. Shoes with good traction are recommended, such as sneakers, athletic shoes, or sandals with sturdy rubber soles that enclose feet well and cannot slide off your feet. Walking on boulders is best done slowly and deliberately, as ground is very uneven. (Wildlife is on this cliff area, and, indeed, when I was driving one summer day back down to Highway 61, I encountered a black bear crossing the roadway. He was as startled to see me, as I was to see him, and he bolted into the woods!) Be aware that part of the roadway leading up and down is shared by vehicles going in both directions. If you have a difficult vehicle to manage, such as a large camper, I would park down at the bottom and then go by foot up to the top. The climb may take you between 10 and 15 minutes on foot. The only way up and down by foot is on the same road used by vehicles, so be very careful.