Wildberry Rae

Come along to see the best parts of the Lake Superior adjacent Minnesota state parks! As a northern Minnesota resident, the incredible state parks are my second home. These parks are made to be appreciated all seasons – spring, summer, fall, and yes – even winter.

Let’s Take a Trip Up the Shore…

Gooseberry Falls State Park

Gooseberry Falls is the classic northern Minnesota state park. Only 45 minutes away from Duluth, it’s also one of the most accessible. Gooseberry Falls is mostly about just that: Gooseberry Falls.

There’s some hiking to do here that can lead you down to Lake Superior, or up into the forests. The hike down to the lake is beautiful if you’re looking for river views and of course, a lake view. The hike up past the waterfalls is beautiful if you’re looking for forests and lush green in the summer. However, I do warn that the stairs turn to ice in the winter. Wear crampons or be prepared for sliding on ice.

Gooseberry in the spring, summer, or fall is beginner friendly and can be as much stairs, pavement, and waterfalls that you’d like, or it can be all about hiking.

Split Rock State Park

You won’t want to miss Split Rock State Park if you’re visiting Split Rock Lighthouse. Visiting the Lighthouse is also a great visit, but a different experience. Opt for the state park to discover beautiful views that look more like the Oregon coast than the Midwest. Travel along the rocky beach and walk along the lake with the lighthouse in sight.

Although Split Rock State Park isn’t as flashy as many of the others nearby since it hugs the shoreline, it’s still one of my favorites for lake and lighthouse views. Be aware that the campground will fill up during tourist season in the summer and fall.

Tettegouche State Park

Tettegouche is the everything of the North Shore State Parks. It boasts Palisade head, lakeshore cliffs and cliff views, pebble beaches with agates, massive waterfalls, and pine forests. I keep returning to this state park for a reason. It’s got it all! At only 1 hour and 15 minutes from Duluth, it’s a manageable day trip.

Tettegouche is one of my favorites, and I can’t recommend it enough all seasons of the year. I especially love Tettegouche in the winter. The crowds are small, the waterfalls are frozen, and the trees are snow covered. This year, there’s even a little cafe inside where we enjoyed 2 hot ciders for under $5 total. Somehow a state park has the cheapest coffee in the area.

This is one of my top recommendations for the true northern Minnesota hiking experience.

Temperance River State Park

Temperance river isn’t one of the main parks people usually think of when it comes to the north shore, but it should be. The river has truly carved out this park, creating hidden waterfalls, slot-like canyons, rising mist from the rushing water, and mossy surroundings.

Temperance river is a pleasant surprise, almost unexpected. Hike along the river, pass by Hidden falls, and continue up to were the river widens. You’ll get incredible views along this entire hike. Watch for “potholes” of perfect circles that the swirling water has drilled into the rocks from ages of wear. You’ll spot these right at the edge of the river.

Cascade River State Park

Cascade river is the place for you if you love waterfalls, over and over and over again. The cascades are very hilly, but create big flowing waterfalls as a result. Hike up the Cascade River to see what this park is all about. This state park offers some other non-waterfall hiking too, but the cascades are what people usually come to see.

Judge C.R. Magney State Park

Where do I start with Judge C.R. Magney State Park? I truly believe this is one of the most overlooked state parks in Minnesota. Only about 15 minutes from Grand Marais, this state park can’t help but give you spectacular views.

Judge C.R. Magney is not for the faint of heart, as you’ll need to travel down to the waterfalls on about a few hundred stairs that are a lot harder to climb back up than they are to descend. Throughout this hike, you’ll slowly climb up a canyon, high above the Brule river. Look over the edge to the water if you’re not too afraid of heights. Watch the trout swimming in the running water from the top of the cliff.

You’ll reach the upper falls, then devil’s kettle. Enjoy the mist of the waterfalls! You’re able to get up close to upper falls if the water isn’t too high. Getting up close to the waterfall is our favorite part about this park.

Grand Portage State Park

Grand Portage State Park puts into perspective how close Minnesota truly is to Canada, and introduces you to a whole new landscape. You’re so close that you could literally throw a rock from the United States over into Canada.

The High Falls (seriously the highest waterfall in the state) was amazing to view. Our favorite part of this park was actually not the waterfall, but getting up close to our neighboring country by veering off towards the river from the falls trail. Do keep in mind that most of the hiking here is on paved or wooden walkways.

Make sure you don’t miss the left turn into this park! The only thing after the Grand Portage State Park turnoff is U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Bonus Park: Jay Cooke State Park

Jay Cooke State park technically isn’t on Lake Superior, but is very close. For classic forest hiking, head up to some of the trails away from the river. To experience what makes Jay Cooke state park worthy, travel down or upstream after crossing the suspension bridge. Don’t be afraid to explore some of the rocks closer to the river that are off the trail, just don’t fall in! Jay Cooke can be a great state park for those staying in Duluth and not continuing up the shore.

See you in MN!