The One Trail In Minnesota That's Perfect For A Short Day Hike, No Matter What Time Of Year
By Betsy Rathburn|Published February 11, 2022
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Betsy Rathburn
Author
Betsy is a Minneapolis-based writer who's lived in Minnesota for 20 years. If you know of any amazing Minnesota restaurants, nature areas, or other attractions, feel free to let her know about them at brathburn@onlyinyourstate.com or on Twitter @betsyrathburn.
Minnesota is full of hiking trails! Every state park – all 66 of them – has hiking trails that lead to beautiful destinations. And that doesn’t even account for the state waysides, scientific and natural areas, and municipal parks that are also full of trails. There are many to choose from, some better for certain parts of the year. But the trail we’d like to discuss today is fantastic no matter what season you visit. Read on below to learn what you’ll see along the High Falls Trail at Tettegouche State Park.
Tettegouche State Park is a beautiful park on Minnesota’s North Shore. It’s about 60 miles north of Duluth on Highway 61. The park is known for a few famous landmarks, including the beautiful Palisade Head and Shovel Point.
The park’s other famous landmark happens to be the largest waterfall entirely within Minnesota: the High Falls of the Baptism River. It’s a 3-mile round-trip hike along the High Falls Trail, perfect for a quick day trip in any season of the year.
The trail takes visitors along the rocky waters of the Baptism River as it heads toward Lake Superior. Visitors will have amazing views as they cross the bridge over the water.
Then, the hike continues into the thick woods of northern Minnesota. In the winter, the forest may be covered with a heavy blanket of snow. With the trees weighed down with snow and only sound being the crunching of snow underfoot, it's a truly magical experience in winter.
If you'd rather avoid the cold, other seasons are great as well. You can't go wrong with a fall visit to Tettegouche. The colors are simply spectacular!
No matter which season you visit in, you're in for a treat. As you keep walking along the High Falls Trail, you'll come across the opportunity to visit another waterfall: Two Step Falls. But to get there, you have to hike more than 200 stairs!
If you're up for it, the Two Step Falls hike is worth it. It leads to a double waterfall, each section about 15 feet tall. It's an impressive sight along the way to the park's crown jewel.
Head back up the 200 stairs and farther on down the trail, and you'll soon run into the High Falls of the Baptism River. It's the tallest waterfall entirely in Minnesota, plunging 60 feet over a rocky cliff. Simply put, it is magnificent!
The waters roar in the warmer months. But in winter, the High Falls are just as likely to be frozen. There's nothing more magical than the sight of a waterfall frozen in time! No matter when you visit, the High Falls Trail at Tettegouche State Park is bound to impress.
Have you ever visited Tettegouche State Park? If you’re interested in learning more about this popular North Shore state park, check out our past article about Palisade Head inside the park.
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