A popular hike in Split Rock Lighthouse State Park rewards explorers with spectacular views – and a mysterious fireplace in the middle of nowhere. The story behind the ruin atop Day Hill makes the site one of the eeriest – and saddest – abandoned places in Minnesota.
Most folks who visit Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, probably think about… well, the lighthouse.
Split Rock Lighthouse/Facebook The beautiful lighthouse, more than 100 years old, is one of the most photographed in the country. Now operated by the Minnesota Historical Society, the lighthouse and its museum are open to the public.
But the land surrounding the lighthouse is a state park on Lake Superior’s north shore, with campgrounds, pebble beaches, and plenty of hiking trails.
Jonathan Bayer/ AllTrails One of the most popular is the trail to Day Hill, which you can access from the cart-in campground parking lot in the state park.
Hikers can also start their hike up Day Hill from the lakeshore, via “Bob’s Staircase” - which climbs the southwest side of Day Hill from a cobble beach to the trail through the campground.
LeAnne Hardy/AllTrails
The trail is steep in places, but it is wide and well maintained.
Hiker Heaven/AllTrails
You’ll climb through the birch, aspen, and evergreens of the park’s forest.
Hiker Heaven/AllTrails
The top of Day Hill is a massive rock outcropping.
Hiker Heaven/AllTrails
It affords spectacular vistas to the lighthouse, Corundum Point, and out over the lake.
Trent Jonas
As you mount the top, though, something else will catch your eye.
Hiker Heaven/AllTrails
A stone fireplace at the hill’s summit.
Trent Jonas The fireplace was built long before the land was a park.
According to local legend, Duluth businessman Frank Day - the site’s namesake - purchased the land upon which the hill sits. He intended to build a dream home for his beloved atop the rock.
Trent Jonas He started with the massive stone fireplace, but Day’s love abandoned him before he built more. Heartbroken, Day abandoned the hill and his eerie, lonely fireplace.
Considering Day Hill’s history, we wouldn’t be surprised if they were ghosts making their home up there, answering the beacon of the lighthouse with fires of their own. Have you visited Day Hill? What did you think of the abandoned fireplace?
Split Rock Lighthouse/Facebook
The beautiful lighthouse, more than 100 years old, is one of the most photographed in the country. Now operated by the Minnesota Historical Society, the lighthouse and its museum are open to the public.
Jonathan Bayer/ AllTrails
One of the most popular is the trail to Day Hill, which you can access from the cart-in campground parking lot in the state park.
LeAnne Hardy/AllTrails
Hiker Heaven/AllTrails
Hiker Heaven/AllTrails
Trent Jonas
The fireplace was built long before the land was a park.
He started with the massive stone fireplace, but Day’s love abandoned him before he built more. Heartbroken, Day abandoned the hill and his eerie, lonely fireplace.
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