The 2-Hour Road Trip Along The North Shore’s Waterfall Trail Is A Glorious Spring Adventure In Minnesota
Minnesota has many waterfalls to explore! Though summer and fall are likely the most popular times to visit, these destinations are beautiful in every season. In the spring, the melting snow often makes them even more impressive. To help you explore some of Minnesota’s best waterfalls, we made this road trip along the North Shore’s waterfall trail. While it does not include all North Shore waterfalls, we think it’s a good place to start exploring northern Minnesotas waterfalls this spring. Read on below to learn more, and to check out the route:
The first stop on this waterfall trail is Gooseberry Falls. Stop into Gooseberry Falls State Park to see what might be Minnesota's most popular waterfall. The trail to the waterfall is an easy trek from the parking lot. Other trails throughout the park lead to amazing views of forest, lake, and river. This is a must-visit waterfall in any season, but it's especially wonderful to visit in spring as the melting snow makes the waterfall full of rushing waters.
From Gooseberry Falls, head north up Highway 61 until you reach Tettegouche State Park. This popular North Shore destination is home to the tallest waterfall entirely within Minnesota: the High Falls of the Baptism River. Surrounded by rugged cliffs, this 63-foot-tall waterfall is an impressive sight that is sure to impress. When you're done at the waterfall, hike the park's popular trail to Palisade Head to check out gorgeous views of Lake Superior's rocky shoreline.
Not far north of Tettegouche, Caribou Falls State Wayside provides easy access to a lesser-known but still beautiful waterfall. The thin streams of Caribou Falls swell in the springtime, creating an impressive sight as the water rushes down the river and over the rugged rocks. The waterfall is set back about 1 mile from the parking area, so you'll have to hike a little to see it. But we guarantee it'll be worth it to see this small but beautiful waterfall.
Head north of Lutsen, and you'll find yourself at Cascade River State Park. This rugged park is home to a narrow gorge through which the Cascade River flows. As it rushes toward Lake Superior, it falls over many rocky areas to create a series of waterfall cascades. If you love Minnesota's more wild natural areas, a trip to this waterfall is a must!
In Grand Marais, the Kadunce River State Wayside offers access to another lesser-known waterfall. Like the others, this one travels over rocky cliffs on its way to Lake Superior. The hike is about 1 mile to get to the waterfall, passing under a thick canopy of trees that are part of Superior National Forest. The entire trek, from beginning to end, is gorgeous. The waterfall makes the effort more than worth it.
Just a little farther north of the Kadunce River Falls on Highway 61 is Judge C.R. Magney State Park. This park is home to one of Minnesota's most enduring mysteries: Devil's Kettle Falls. Though the mystery has now been solved, the question of where the water of this waterfall disappeared to was unknown for many years. Today, it's still an impressive sight along the North Shore thanks to its impressive drop into a rock-lined gorge surrounded by the thick trees of the North Woods.
The last stop on this waterfall journey is at Minnesota's Grand Portage State Park. Here, you'll find the 120-foot-tall High Falls of the Pigeon River. Its impressive height makes it Minnesota's tallest waterfall, which we share with Canada. The impressive sight of the churning water falling over the high rock cliffs is not to be missed. In the spring, the water is even more powerful, making this an unforgettable spring destination!
Have you visited these waterfalls? Which ones are your favorites? Are there any you’d add? Let us know in the comments! And if you have other favorite spring destinations in Minnesota, feel free to let us know by filling out our nomination form.
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Address: Gooseberry Falls State Park, Minnesota 61, Two Harbors, MN, USA
Address: Tettegouche State Park, 5702 MN-61, Silver Bay, MN 55614, USA
Address: Caribou Falls State Wayside, Minnesota 61, Silver Bay, MN, USA
Address: Cascade River State Park, West, 3481 Minnesota 61, Lutsen, MN 55612, USA
Address: Kadunce River State Wayside, Minnesota 61, Grand Marais, MN, USA
Address: Judge C.R. Magney State Park, Minnesota 61, Grand Marais, MN, USA
Address: Grand Portage State Park, Minnesota 61, Grand Portage, MN, USA
