One Of Minnesota’s Most Picturesque Hiking Trails Reopening Just In Time For Fall Colors

If you've never hiked this Northern Minnesota trail, there's a good chance you've seen photos from it or heard someone talk about it.

Located just off the shore of Lake Superior, inland from Silver Bay by about two miles by air, the Bean and Bear Lake Loop is arguably one of the most picturesque trails in the entire state - especially in the fall.

While this trail isn't exactly an "easy hike", the views from high above the pair of lakes at the end of the trail are fantastic all year long. In the fall, the scenery is next-level breathtaking!

Why was the Bean & Bear Loop closed?

The popular trail closed on May 15 of this year as part of a planned trail renewal project orchestrated by the Superior Hiking Trail Association and Minnesota DNR. Erosion and other issues caused by a combination of trail use by humans and weather impacts led to the need for this closure to repair the trail and nearby campsites.

When the project was announced this spring, there was no scheduled completion date. During the course of the project, heavy rain in June led to issues elsewhere on the Superior Hiking Trail. While it wasn't disclosed if the rain led to any slowdowns on the Bean & Bear project, the good news is things will be reopening just in time for the normal peak visiting season!

When does the trail reopen?

The Minnesota DNR recently shared that the trail loop, which has been closed since May, will be reopening on Friday, September 6. This is fantastic timing for visitors to enjoy this stunning trail as we get into the fall colors season.

READ MORE: Looking for a short, but awesome hike? Check out this top-rated Wisconsin trail!

The fall colors views from the trail are second to none in Minnesota, so this is amazing news for hikers! If you're hoping to check it out for the first time, I have some things to know based on personal knowledge and tips from others I know who have hiked the trail.

What to know if you want to hike the Bean & Bear Lake Loop trail

While we'll have to wait until the trail reopens to see what improvements may have been made during the project, it is important to know this is not an easy hike.

Depending on who you talk to, the trail is somewhere between "moderate" and "difficult" due not only to the length of the trail, but also the elevation gain and the trail surface itself.

Trail Length & Duration

The full loop is about 6.5 miles long (with some options to add on to your hike), which means it will take you a few hours to complete. Being you'll have some time and energy invested in the hike itself, and you'll want to just sit and enjoy the views for a while, plan on half a day. My total time from the time I left my car to the time I got back on my last trip was about 4.5 hours, which included a little time enjoying the views.

Elevation & Trail Surface

The elevation gain is over 1,000 feet from the main parking area just off Highway 5. AllTrails says 1,092 feet in elevation gain while my smart watch calculated 1,592 feet. I didn't do the loop, though. I did an out-and-back on the same path along the most scenic part of the trail.

The trail surface varies from hard-packed dirt to several places that can get pretty muddy. There are also some areas you'll have to do some light rock scrambling. Again, this is all based on pre-restoration work experience, but much of these conditions are likely to still be considerations after the trail reopens.

Other Tips

Due to the duration and the more difficult level of this trail, bring some snacks or even pack a lunch. Sitting at one of the viewpoints over either Bean or Bear Lake can be an unforgettable place to have a snack or lunch! Just remember, what you pack in, pack out. Don't leave your trash behind!

Pack plenty of fluids! Anyone who's done a fair amount of hiking knows to stay hydrated. But if this is a new trail for you or you're inspired by wanting to see the great views so you're challenging yourself to this trail, make sure to have more than just one small bottle of water with you. A backpack will make that easier.

Respect others on the trail and share the viewing points. Especially in the fall, this is a popular trail. Be respectful of others on the trail and give others their turn enjoying the best trail views.

Finally, bring a camera! Even if it's just your phone, you're going to want to capture the views. They are phenomenal!