Winter Outdoor Settings
What are PDDers’ favorite winter outdoor settings? I am looking for a nature spot, that is fairly accessible in the the winter (1,000-foot walk at most), one that doesn’t necessarily have a dramatic view (it would be a plus though) but the setting should be fairly dramatic with rocks, trees, or waterfalls. The setting can be in either city but preferably up to 20 miles outside of the Twin Ports. I am getting married in the winter and I am looking for a spot to hold a very small and very short outdoor wedding.
Enger park is beautiful.
Amnicon Falls State Park
Congdon Park in town is gorgeous in winter. Also there’s the gazebo at Lester, off of Occidental Blvd.
Hawk’s Ridge – you could park off Glenwood and walk up the hill past the winter road closed signs and have a stunning view.
If you waited until it froze you could have it in the middle of Hartley Pond, a tiny trek would get you up the rock knob in the same park.
+1 edge…
If you walk up Chester Pk Drive, up from 8th, there’s a fork where it splits off with Skyline Drive. If You go up the dead end road to your right as you are walking up, away from the Lake, it ends at a vista, where you can see over the trees to the Lake. I think it’s a really cool vista.
I will second Amnicon Falls. We were married there and the park rangers were a dream to work with. Plus you can buy postcards of the park and use them for your thank you notes.
Oldenburg Point, Jay Cooke State Park. Shelter has a fire place. Overlook onto St. Louis River is spectacular. I think shelter reservation was all of $35. The park discounts daily permits if you buy 10+
Great location for a wedding and the folks at the park were wonderful to work with.
Lake Place downtown Duluth. Close to everything.
Once I DJ’d a smallish wedding reception in one of those WPA era buildings at Gooseberry Park. Really unique, beautiful location and cheap rental. Commuting could be a hassle if weather’s bad, though.
Speaking of that Grand Superior Lodge has a pretty sweet little lake front chapel, might not be cheap but you could easily move it indoors if weather is a no-go and the staff and crew are good people to work with as far as I’ve seen over the years.
I third Amnicon Falls for the winter.
I too vote for Hawk’s Ridge. with the road closed it is an easy walk to the viewing platform and the view out to the lake on a nice day is fantastic!
One other place is Enger Tower/Park. I haven’t been there during the winter but I would think it would work well.
Enger Park is usually closed once there is significant snow on the ground.
This post is right up my alley. I’m looking for sites for a small December wedding.
Something with a fireplace would be great! Thanks for the ideas. Keep ’em coming.
Keep in mind that a lot of what is open during the summer is unavailable after October winterization occurs in the parks or when the snow starts piling up.
Those of you who mentioned Amnicon…where in Amnicon? It’s been a while since I’ve been out there, so I’m curious about a winter-accessible location.
Thanks!
The thing to keep in mind about Enger being closed is that the parking lot will be closed off, so there will only be room for maybe six cars at the bottom of the access road. You could also string cars on the side of Hank Jensen Drive and probably get away with it, though, but you should be aware that anyone attending would have to hike a little less than a half mile through unshoveled terrain. If that’s not a deal breaker, then you could go for it.