The Lake Superior Circle Tour is a breathtaking adventure that takes you around the entire shoreline of Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area. With stunning scenery at every turn, it’s no surprise that many travelers choose to capture their experience through photography. Whether you’re a professional photographer or just enjoy snapping pictures with your phone, the Circle Tour offers endless opportunities to capture the natural beauty of the area. From the rugged cliffs and pristine beaches to the charming lighthouses and quaint coastal towns, there’s something for everyone to photograph on this remarkable journey.

The Lake Superior Circle Tour Adventure Guide is a popular resource for travelers looking to explore the natural wonders of the area. It features a map, travel tips, the Java Journey, the Ale Trail, a Stamp Collection page, and recommendations for and attractions along the way. One of the highlights of the Adventure Guide is its photo submissions, which showcase the stunning scenery and unique experiences of the Circle Tour. Travelers are encouraged to submit their own photos of the journey, whether it’s a snapshot of a towering waterfall or a selfie at a picturesque overlook. The photos are carefully curated and selected for inclusion in the guide, providing an opportunity for travelers to share their perspective and inspire others to embark on the adventure themselves.

Here are the Lake Superior Circle Tour Adventure Guide Cover Winners from the past six years.

2024 Cover Winner

Top of the Giant Lookout, Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, ON – Melanie Scott

2023 Cover Winner

Old Women Bay, Lake Superior Provincial Park, ON – Rainy Lalonde

2022 Cover Winner

High Falls Pigeon River, Grand Portage MN – Brad Bellisle

2021 Cover Winner

Ore Dock, Marquette, MI -Jason Parks

2020 Cover Winner

Pigeon River, ON -Don Peterson

2019 Cover Winner

Aguasabon Falls and Gorge – Chris Nelson

Most Photographed Locations

There have been hundreds of photo submissions over the years all of which beautifully showcase the attractions around Lake Superior. The following are some of the most photographed locations that have been submitted to the Lake Superior Circle Tour Adventure Guide.

Split Rock Lighthouse

Lake Superior Circle Tour Website
Split Rock Lighthouse – Charlie Sloan

Split Rock Lighthouse offers stunning views of Lake Superior’s shoreline, the lighthouse offers a glimpse into the region’s maritime history and is a must-see destination for anyone doing the Circle Tour. Visitors can explore the lighthouse and learn about its fascinating past through guided tours, exhibits, and interactive displays. The site also features a gift shop, picnic areas, and hiking trails.

Kakabeka Falls

Kakabeka Falls - Lake Superior Waterfalls
Kakabeka Falls, ON – Michelle Key

With a drop of 40 meters (121 ft), Kakabeka Falls is the tallest waterfall around Lake Superior and is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and photographers. The falls are situated within Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park, which offers a range of recreational activities, including hiking and camping. Visitors can enjoy scenic hiking trails that provide stunning views of the falls, as well as the surrounding forest and river valley.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Pictured Rocks Lakeshore, Munising, MI – Leanne Matson

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is a stunning natural wonder that spans 42 miles (67 km) of pristine shoreline and boasts towering cliffs, sandy beaches, and crystal-clear waters. The most striking feature of the park is the colorful sandstone cliffs, which are shaped by years of erosion and weathering. Visitors can explore the cliffs and surrounding area through hiking trails, scenic drives, and boat tours.

Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge

Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge – Adam Jagunich

The Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge is a historic landmark and is one of the few remaining aerial lift bridges in the world. Visitors can watch as the bridge lifts to allow large ships and boats to pass underneath or take a stroll along the scenic boardwalk that lines the harbor. The area around the bridge, Canal Park, is also home to a range of shops, restaurants, and museums, making it an ideal spot to stop. With its unique design and stunning views of the harbor, the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge is the most photographed bridge on the Circle Tour.

Gooseberry Falls

Gooseberry Falls State Park, MN – Edward Lee

With its picturesque cascading falls and lush forest surroundings, there are plenty of opportunities in the Park to capture stunning images of Gooseberry Falls from different angles and perspectives. One of the best spots to photograph the falls is from the main overlook platform, which provides an unobstructed view of the falls and river valley. For a unique perspective, visitors can also hike down to the river’s edge and take photos of the falls from below.

Tahquamenon Falls

Tahquamenon Falls, MI – Eugene L Cambre

As you can see waterfalls are among the most popular to photograph on the Circle Tour and its easy to see why this one made the list. Tahquamenon Falls is a breathtaking waterfall located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The waterfall is known for its stunning amber color, caused by the tannins in the surrounding cedar. The falls span over 200 feet (61 m) and are surrounded by lush green forest, making it a popular destination for nature lovers and photographers alike.

Sleeping Giant

Sleeping Giant at sunset – Jack Hamlin

There are many places in and around Thunder Bay, ON where travelers can capture a photo of this Lake Superior Natural Wonder. So its no wonder why the Sleeping Giant is among the most photographed locations on the Circle Tour. The Sleeping Giant is a large rock formation that resembles a sleeping giant lying on his back. You can also hike the giant in Sleeping Giant Provincial Park which offers even more incredible photography opportunities.

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

Devil’s Island, Bayfield, WI Apostle Islands – Kathleen Pine

The Apostle Islands are a group of 22 islands on Lake Superior with so many opportunities for some stunning photos. The islands are known for their rugged beauty, scenic sandstone cliffs, historic lighthouses, and stunning beaches, making them a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. Visitors can hike, paddle, sail, or cruise to experience the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.

Authors Favourites

You’ve seen the cover photo winners and the most photographed locations but now I want to show you some of my personal favourite photo submissions that just need to be shared!

Autumn Bayfield, WI – Kathleen Pine
Grand Island East Channel Lighthouse, Munising, MI – Gary Hagermann
Milky Way over Whitefish Bay, Mamainse, ON – Rick McFarlane
Pebble Beach, Marathon, ON – Pamela Blanch
Cairn at Twelvemile Beach, MI-Anne Collins
Black River Harbor UP, MI – Chad Hinz
Point Crisp Lighthouse -Tom Sovereign
Silver Creek Cliff Tunnel, Two Harbors, MN – Greg Anderson
Bridge at Hancock Houghton, Mi – Daniel Major
Marquette, MI – Cameron Wilcox
Mission Island, Thunder Bay, ON- Michelle Key
Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, ON – Laura Myers
Apostle Islands Cornucopia, WI – Chad Briesemeister
Fort William Historical Site, Thunder Bay, ON – Gary Hagermann
Alger Underwater Preserve, Munising, MI – Gary Sassin
West of Sault Ste Marie, ON – Kathy Poluck
Twelvemile Beach, MI – Tom Walker
Judge Magney State Park Devils Kettle Grand Marais, MN -Victoria Tuskan
Terry Fox Monument/Sleeping Giant – Doug Strom
Wawa RV Resort & Magpie River, ON – Callie Paddock
Herbster Campground beach, WI – Craig Jacquart
Ouimet Canyon, ON -Don Peterson
Marquette, MI – Sharon Bodenus
Black River Harbor Beach, MI – Michael T. Powers
Houghton Falls Washburn, WI-David C. Riewe
Cornucopia Beach Sunset, WI – Kathleen Pine
Pebble Beach, Marathon, ON – Kevin Young
Every Child Matters tribute, Schreiber Beach, ON – Raymond Gionet

That’s just a few of my faves, but there are so many more to choose from! With so many breathtaking sights to capture, the photo submissions in the Lake Superior Circle Tour Adventure Guide are sure to spark the wanderlust in any traveler. If you would like to see all of the photo submissions visit the Photos page under Media. If you would like to submit your own Lake Superior photos go to the Lake Superior Circle Tour Photo Contest page and upload your photos for a chance to be featured in the next guide.