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All the United States Minnesota Iona's Beach
AO Edited

Iona's Beach

When waves crash onto this section of beach, the rocks sing a song.

Minnesota

Added By
Sierra Fontana
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Pink rocks cover the beach.   James St. John
Pink rocks cover the beach.   James St. John
Pink rocks at Iona’s Beach.   James St. John
Pop rock.   codewordsierra / Atlas Obscura User
Rocks on the beach.   codewordsierra / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
Some information about Iona   evilgreentriangle / Atlas Obscura User
Pink beach   baeroauthor / Atlas Obscura User
Black rocks on red   evilgreentriangle / Atlas Obscura User
No rock collecting!   baeroauthor / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Iona's Beach is a hidden gem. Instead of silky, golden sand, this stretch of shore is covered in smooth pink rocks that, if you know when to listen, sing.

The beach sings its signature song as the waves come in and disturb the rocks. When the stones resettle, they tinkle like millions of little bells. It’s a soft sound, so you have to stand fairly still and be quiet to hear it.

The unusual musical concert isn’t the only thing intriguing about the beach. Even when Lake Superior is calm and the air is silent, the place still feels magical. The pink rocks, which formed from fallen pieces of a nearby rhyolite cliff, are an eye-catching sight on their own. The stones, worn and weathered by years of erosion, are all wonderfully smooth to the touch.

The beach is also one of the three scientific and natural areas along the lake. It was named after Iona Lind, who owned the resort that once stood on the spot where the beach’s parking area now is.

Related Tags

Pink Rocks Beaches Lakes Geology Music Water

Know Before You Go

The hike from the parking lot to the beach is only a couple hundred feet.

This beach is a Scientific & Natural Area, which means it is not allowed to collect rocks, plants, animals, rocks, and fossils.

 

Community Contributors

Added By

codewordsierra

Edited By

RFrolicArts, Kerry Wolfe, Collector of Experiences, evilgreentriangle...

  • RFrolicArts
  • Kerry Wolfe
  • Collector of Experiences
  • evilgreentriangle
  • baeroauthor

Published

June 15, 2018

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Sources
  • http://highwayhighlights.com/2014/11/10-amazing-beaches-on-minnesotas-north-shore/
  • http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/minnesota/beach-unlike-any-other-mn/
Iona's Beach
Minnesota, 55616
United States
47.169678, -91.421021
Visit Website

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Minnesota

Minnesota

United States

Places 184
Stories 25

Nearby Places

Split Rock Lighthouse

Two Harbors, Minnesota

miles away

Rocky Taconite

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miles away

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miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Minnesota

Minnesota

United States

Places 184
Stories 25

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