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Superior Hiking Trail: Carlton Peak and Oberg (Temperance River to Lutsen)

Superior Hiking Trail (Temperance River State Park to Lutsen Mountains)

This piece of the Superior Hiking Trail climbs out of the Temperance River gorge, tops Carlton Peak, and rolls through maple and birch forest past Leveaux and Oberg Mountains to the ski hills at Lutsen. The Superior Hiking Trail Association (SHTA) promises “Incredible views from top of Carlton Peak” and “Spectacular overlooks” on the Oberg loop.

It’s about 17.5 miles in three SHTA sections, with seven campsites, all north of Britton Peak.

The hike

From Temperance River State Park, the SHTA says the trail “Climbs along thundering Temperance River in gorge,” then heads up Carlton Peak; a spur leads to the Ted Tofte Overlook. There are no campsites in this first 4.8-mile section, which ends at Britton Peak on the Sawbill Trail (Cook County Road 2).

The next 5.7 miles, from the Sawbill Trailhead to Onion River Road, are a “Rolling hike through maple and birch forests” with “Considerable mud on this section except in dry times,” according to the SHTA. A 1.3-mile loop climbs Leveaux Mountain. Susan Gleissner of This Big Wild World recommends the Springdale Creek campsite in this stretch, where large rocks let you sit and soak your feet; she calls the creek “a reliable source of water” but warns of a false camp north of the creek. At the north end, the Onion River bridge was replaced in fall 2026; the SHTA’s conditions page lists it as reopened October 5.

From Onion River Road, the trail passes the Oberg Mountain loop (1.8 miles), then makes what the SHTA calls “Tough climbs and descents of Moose and Mystery Mountains.” Backpacker’s 2016 overnight, which started at the Oberg trailhead, reached the Mystery Mountain campsite after 5.8 miles, over Moose Mountain. Backpacker describes four first-come tent sites in dense birch and fir, good for hammocks. Gleissner calls the site “just ok”: there’s no water there, and her group shared it with about 20 other people. Backpacker points to the Poplar River, 0.5 mile north, for water.

The section ends at the Lutsen Mountains trailhead, which has bathrooms, restaurants, and drinking water, according to the SHTA. A 0.8-mile spur leads to the Lutsen gondola, which the SHTA says is closed Nov. 1 to June 1.

Perfect Duluth Day writer Paul Lundgren, who hiked south from Cascade River in 2001, camped by the Poplar River and at the Onion River and cooled his feet in the Temperance at the end.

To keep going north, see Lutsen to Cascade River.

Tips

Camping

SHT campsites need no reservations, fees, or permits, and every site must be shared, according to the SHTA. Camp only at designated sites (hammock campers too), never at trailheads, and limit your stay to one night. Fires go only in the fire ring, trash is packed out, and food goes in a bear canister or a hang. Most sites are designed for nine or fewer people; groups of eight or more must read the SHTA’s large-group page.

The SHTA lists no campsites from Temperance River to Britton Peak, four from the Sawbill Trailhead to Onion River Road, and three from Onion River Road to Lutsen.

Inside Intel: Gleissner recommends Springdale Creek for its rocks and reliable water. Backpacker suggests Mystery Mountain for hammock campers, but Gleissner notes its latrine is visible from the fire pit.

Trail facts

The Lowdown

Sharing Mystery Mountain camp:

Every Superior Hiking Trail site must be shared, and one hiker split Mystery Mountain with about 20 other people. The side-sleeper tips include choosing a pad that stays quiet when you roll over.

Get the side-sleeper tips →

Where this comes from

This page draws on the sources below, along with other guides and trip reports. Links go to the original pages.

Before you go: This page is based on published trail guides, trip reports, and reviews, along with official park and agency information where we could find it. It’s meant to help backpackers discover new trails, not to replace current, official information. Conditions, closures, permits, campsites, and water sources change, and some details here may be out of date or wrong. Confirm everything with the managing agency and check current conditions before you head out, and don’t rely on this page alone for safety or navigation. Backcountry travel involves risk.