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Iona's Beach Scientific and Natural Area

4.7

·840 reviews·Two Harbors, United States

Minnesota's stunning pink beach, famous for its millions of smooth, salmon-colored rhyolite rocks and the unique 'singing' sound of Lake Superior's wa...

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Fewer crowds, more peaceful

CrowdLow

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Iona's Beach Scientific and Natural Area

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Fewer crowds, more peaceful

CrowdLow

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Minnesota's stunning pink beach, famous for its millions of smooth, salmon-colored rhyolite rocks and the unique 'singing' sound of Lake Superior's waves.

4.7

(840 reviews)

"This is one of those places that pictures just cannot fully capture. It is absolutely stunning!"

TIP

🪨 Wear Sturdy Shoes

The beach is covered in smooth rocks, not sand. Comfortable footwear is essential for exploring.

👂 Listen to the Waves

Lay on the rocks near the water to hear the unique 'singing' sound of the waves.

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.7 · 840 reviews

Type

Park

Address

3548 MN-61, Two Harbors, MN 55616, USA

Website

dnr.state.mn.us/snas/detail.html?id=sna01000

👶 Good for kids🅿️ Accessible parking

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

The Pink Shoreline

Main beach area

Millions of smooth, salmon-colored rocks create a stunning, unique beach unlike any other.

Musical Rocks

Near the water's edge

Listen to the unique, almost musical sound as waves interact with the smooth pink stones.

Rhyolite Cliff

North side of the beach

A cliff of pink rhyolite gives the beach its distinctive color and name.

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Planning Your Visit

Embrace the Pink Rocks

Iona's Beach is famous for its millions of naturally pink rhyolite rocks, not sand. Prepare for a unique shoreline experience and wear comfortable shoes for exploring. The short walk from parking to the beach is accessible for most.

Listen to the 'Singing' Shore

Often called the 'singing beach,' the smooth pink rocks create a musical sound as Lake Superior's waves roll in. Laying on the rocks with your ear to the water enhances this unique auditory experience. It's a peaceful spot for reflection.

Best Times

When

Weekday mornings

Why

Fewer crowds, more peaceful

Crowd

Low

When

Late afternoon

Why

Golden hour light on rocks

Crowd

Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Have you ever been to Minnesota’s Pink Beach? 💕🏖️ 📍Iona’s Beach, Two Harbors, Minnesota. Come visit Iona’s Beach for yourself! Click the Linktree in our bio to explore our Two Harbors lodging options. ➡️ #Beach #HiddenGem #Travel #Pink #Minnesota #Beaches #MN #NorthShore #Pink #Fyp #LakeSuperior #GreatLakes #TwoHarbors #SummerVibes #SummerVacation #TravelIdeas #TravelInspo #TravelTikTok #WI #Summ...

@odysseyresorts

121.1K likes • 1.4M views

🪨 Wear Sturdy Shoes

The beach is covered in smooth rocks, not sand. Comfortable footwear is essential for exploring.

👂 Listen to the Waves

Lay on the rocks near the water to hear the unique 'singing' sound of the waves.

Iona's Pink Beach #minnesota #mn #beach #travel #lakesuperior

@rafchicago

44.6K likes • 505.5K views

Do you believe me when I tell you this beach is located in Minnesota? This is Iona’s Beach it is a scientific and natural area, or SNA, on Minnesota’s North Shore. It’s near Two Harbors, about 50 miles north of Duluth on Highway 61. Because of the musical rocks, Iona's Beach is often called the singing beach. I captured this video on Wednesday, April 3rd, 2024. It was such a beautiful site to se...

dadaexploring

97 likes • 2.6K views

📸 Perfect Photo Spot

This picturesque beach is ideal for photography, especially during golden hour.

🚗 Easy Access Parking

Good parking is available with a short, easy walk to the beach.

Did you know Minnesota has a pink beach? 💕✨ It's true! Iona's Beach Scientific & Natural Area is located on the North Shore of Lake Superior, about 15 miles north of Two Harbors between Gooseberry Falls State Park and Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. Instead of sand, this beach stretches 300 yards along Lake Superior and is covered in smooth pink rocks. The stones are made of pink rhyolite from...

exploreminnesota

0 likes • 31.4K views

Tips

from all over the internet

🪨 Wear Sturdy Shoes

The beach is covered in smooth rocks, not sand. Comfortable footwear is essential for exploring.

👂 Listen to the Waves

Lay on the rocks near the water to hear the unique 'singing' sound of the waves.

📸 Perfect Photo Spot

This picturesque beach is ideal for photography, especially during golden hour.

🚗 Easy Access Parking

Good parking is available with a short, easy walk to the beach.

🌊 Dip Your Toes

Enjoy the cool waters of Lake Superior and soak in the sun on the unique pink rocks.

What Travellers Say

4.7

(840 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors rave about Iona's Beach, calling it a 'true hidden gem' and 'absolutely stunning.' The unique pink rocks and the musical sound of the waves are consistently praised, creating a peaceful and magical atmosphere. It's considered a must-see on the North Shore for its picturesque beauty and easy accessibility.

"So beautiful. Go close to the the water and lay with your ear on the rocks to hear the water below. Soak your feet in the cool water and the rest of you in the sun! Saw river otters and a little “sea” cave. Take time to see blue white striped hidden unique rocks. Overall the beach is a beautiful pink!"

Bobbi Shiu

"Iona’s Beach Scientific and Natural Area in Minnesota is a true hidden gem along the North Shore. This unique spot features millions of naturally pink rocks that create a one-of-a-kind shoreline you won’t find anywhere else. When you first step onto the beach, it’s hard not to be amazed by the soft, rounded stones that stretch as far as the eye can see. The sound they make as the waves roll in and out is almost musical, adding to the peaceful, magical feeling of the place.

It’s a perfect stop for families looking to enjoy a bit of nature and fun. Our family loved walking along the shore, skipping the pink rocks into Lake Superior, and just taking in the incredible views. The short 10-minute walk from the parking lot to the beach is easy and makes the spot very accessible, even for young kids.

Iona’s Beach feels like a special secret that you’ll want to share with others. Whether you’re planning a full day of exploring or just want a quick, memorable pit stop, Iona’s Beach is well worth it. We’ll definitely be back — it’s a place that stays with you long after you leave."

Hoshun Lam

"This is a Minnesota North Shore destination. Nothing like it. I’d advise if you’re going to Duluth this should be on your site seeing list. Good parking, nice short walk to the beach. Great place to take photos."

Robin Miller Kroening

What People Like

Unique pink rocks

Musical sound of waves

Beautiful scenery

What People Dislike

Can be crowded during peak times

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Iona's Beach is located on Minnesota's North Shore, about 15 miles north of Two Harbors on Highway 61. It's situated between Gooseberry Falls State Park and Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. There's good parking available with a short, easy walk to the beach itself.

Yes, the walk from the parking lot to the main beach area is short and easy, making it accessible for most visitors, including families with young children.

The area is a popular entry point for bike trails along the North Shore, so you might see cyclists. It's easily accessible by car via Highway 61.

Look for signs for Iona's Beach Scientific and Natural Area along Highway 61. It's a well-marked stop for those exploring the North Shore.

Public transportation options are limited along the North Shore. Driving is the most common and convenient way to reach Iona's Beach.

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

No, Iona's Beach Scientific and Natural Area is a public natural area and does not require an entrance fee or tickets. It's free to visit.

As a natural area, Iona's Beach is open year-round during daylight hours. There are no set opening or closing times.

Parking at Iona's Beach is free. There is a designated parking lot available for visitors.

Yes, you can visit Iona's Beach in the winter, but be prepared for cold temperatures and potentially icy conditions on the rocks. The unique pink rocks are visible year-round.

As a Scientific and Natural Area, visitors are asked to respect the natural environment. Stick to marked paths and avoid disturbing the rocks or wildlife.

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

Iona's Beach is famous for its millions of smooth, naturally pink rhyolite rocks that cover the shoreline, creating a unique and picturesque landscape.

The smooth, rounded rocks create a musical, almost singing sound as the waves of Lake Superior wash over them.

Visitors can walk along the shore, skip rocks, listen to the waves, take photos, and enjoy the peaceful natural scenery. Some also explore nearby cliffs.

Basic amenities like parking are available. There are no restrooms or concessions directly at the beach, so plan accordingly.

While you can wade or soak your feet in Lake Superior, swimming is not recommended due to the cold water temperatures and rocky shore.

📸 📸 Photography

Late afternoon, during the golden hour, offers beautiful lighting that enhances the pink hues of the rocks.+1 Morning light is also lovely and less crowded.

The unique pink rocks, the vastness of Lake Superior, and the natural beauty make it a highly photogenic location.

The entire shoreline is a photo opportunity. Getting close to the water's edge or capturing the rhyolite cliff offers distinct perspectives.

A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the expansive shoreline. A polarizing filter can help reduce glare from the water and rocks.

Drone usage regulations can vary. It's best to check with local authorities or the Minnesota DNR for current rules regarding drone operation in Scientific and Natural Areas.