Top scenic viewpoints
Scenic ViewpointBig Stone Lake Overlook
Scenic ViewpointCushion Peak Overlook
Scenic ViewpointGranite Falls Overlook
Scenic ViewpointHoneymoon Bluff Trail and Overlook
Scenic ViewpointLookout Point
Scenic ViewpointLookout Point
Scenic ViewpointMinnesota River Valley Overlook
Scenic ViewpointOverlook Lake Park
Scenic ViewpointPigeon Lake Overlook
Scenic ViewpointPreston Overlook
Scenic ViewpointReads Landing Overlook
Scenic ViewpointScenic View Park
Scenic Viewpoints by county
All scenic viewpoints (24)
| Name | County | Elevation | Nearest town | Sky |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Stone Lake Overlook | Big Stone County | 339 m | Ortonville | 1 |
| Cushion Peak Overlook | Houston County | 235 m | Rushford | 3 |
| Granite Falls Overlook | Yellow Medicine County | 272 m | Granite Falls | 4 |
| Honeymoon Bluff Trail and Overlook | Cook County | 556 m | Grand Marais | 1 |
| Lookout Point | Hennepin County | 288 m | Wayzata | 7 |
| Lookout Point | Washington County | 204 m | Stillwater | 6 |
| Minnesota River Valley Overlook | Chippewa County | 293 m | Granite Falls | 4 |
| Overlook Lake Park | Hennepin County | 239 m | Savage | 7 |
| Pigeon Lake Overlook | Meeker County | 321 m | Dassel | 3 |
| Preston Overlook | Fillmore County | 288 m | Preston | 3 |
| Reads Landing Overlook | Wabasha County | 240 m | Wabasha | 3 |
| Scenic View Park | Benton County | 327 m | Sauk Rapids | 7 |
| Taylor Falls Overlook - South | Chisago County | 232 m | Taylors Falls | 4 |
| Twin Bluffs Scenic Overlook | Winona County | 240 m | Trempealeau | 4 |
| Wabasha Overlook | Wabasha County | 295 m | Wabasha | 3 |
| Kenney Lake Overlook | Crow Wing County | 389 m | Crosby | 2 |
| Split Rock Lighthouse Overlook | Lake County | 224 m | Silver Bay | 1 |
| Wrenshall Scenic Overlook | Carlton County | 298 m | Esko | 3 |
| Wayswaugoing Bay Overlook | Cook County | 183 m | Grand Marais | 1 |
| Good Harbor Bay Overlook | Cook County | 194 m | Grand Marais | 1 |
| Detroit Lakes Overlook | Becker County | 412 m | Detroit Lakes | 5 |
| New Duluth Scenic Overlook | Saint Louis County | 185 m | Proctor | 4 |
| Pillsbury Mine Overlook | Saint Louis County | 478 m | Chisholm | 5 |
| Soudan Mine Overlook Rest Area | Saint Louis County | 430 m | Babbitt | 1 |
Sky = estimated Bortle class (1 darkest – 9 brightest).
Map
How to photograph scenic viewpoints
Overlooks are about the sweep of the land, so low-angle light matters most: side-light at sunrise or sunset reveals ridges and texture that midday sun flattens.
- Arrive 30–45 minutes before sunrise or sunset to find a composition before the light peaks.
- Use a telephoto (70–200 mm) to isolate layered ridges and light rays instead of shooting only wide.
- Check the sun azimuth for your date: front-light, side-light and back-light give three different pictures from the same rail.
- Haze builds in summer afternoons; mornings after a cold front are often the clearest.
- Stay behind barriers — many overlook edges are undercut or crumbly.
Season: Clear, dry air in autumn and after winter storms gives the longest views; summer adds wildflowers but also haze.