Bean Lake + Bear Lake via the Superior Hiking Trail

This 6.7-mile out-and-back trail provides an excellent day hike to get an overview of Bean Lake and wander down to the banks of Bear Lake. The trail leaves the parking lot and quickly ascends up a moderate ridge and opens up to views of Lake Superior. From there the trail heads inland and into a thick forest. The trail has some elevation gain and loss for the first 2 miles, but nothing terribly demanding. Eventually the trail opens up to Bean Lake, and hikers are treated to a wonderful view from above. The trail follows the east side of the lake on a ridge for the length of the lake.  Bear Lake comes into view toward the north side of Bean Lake. There are plenty of places to admire the lakes along the trail. 

After leaving Bean Lake the trail descends back into the forest and Bear Lake falls from view. There is a spur near the campground at Bear Lake from the Superior Hiking Trail, and hikers should take that to end up at the lakeshore. There are plenty of places to set the packs down and go for a swim in the lake as well. In order to get back to the trailhead hikers should return the way they came.