WATERFALL TOUR North Shore

The rivers that flow into Lake Superior have some spectacular waterfalls! They’re awesome any time of year, but especially in the spring when the snowmelt and spring rains engorge the rivers. Spring waterfall season runs mid-April through May.

5.1 Start with a look over the Superior Street bridge at the Lester River Falls. Park in the lot and walk the creekside trail. Trails take you to five falls in total.

38.9 Gooseberry Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls, and for good reason! Take a short walk from the Visitor Center to see three falls. This park can get very busy during the peak summer season, so plan accordingly.

58.5 Tettegouche State Park offers three waterfalls on the Baptism River. Take a 0.8-mile hike to Cascade Falls. Hike a longer trail to Two Step Falls and the beautiful High Falls (not to be confused with the High Falls at Grand Portage State Park).

70.7 Hike 0.75 miles one-way to see Caribou Falls. The river slides down the tall cliff for a beautiful scene. The trail is quick and easy with stairs as you approach the falls.

78.9 Not interested in hiking? View the Cross River Falls in Schroeder as you drive by! Or park at the wayside and take the sidewalk to the bridge over the river.

80.4 The Temperance River’s captivating drill bit gorges are a sight to see! Hike the rocky path upstream to see how the river has cut through the narrow canyon. Hike downstream over the footbridge to see the falls and the mouth of the river at Lake Superior.

90.1+ Poplar River - Drive north on the Ski Hill Road until the very end (approx. 2.5 miles). Hike along the Superior Hiking Trail spur trail to a bridge over the upper falls.

99.8

The beautiful Cascade River offers a series of five falls and cascades, all within a half-mile of the wayside! Take the loop to go up and down both sides of the river. Get close to the edge of the canyon for a unique perspective.

Gunflint Trail

49.9

Make a day of adventure to Bridal Veil Falls on the Gunflint Trail. Take an 8-mile round-trip hike to the falls from the Crab Lake Spur Trailhead off of Loon Lake Road. Or, boat or canoe to the falls by launching at Gunflint Lake. Outfitters on the Gunflint Trail can help you get to this unique, remote waterfall!

150.8 Grand Portage State Park boasts the magnificent High Falls, the tallest waterfall in Minnesota. The Pigeon River is the international border with Canada. Walk the paved, accessible path to two viewing platforms. The spray coming off the falls makes a nice rainbow, pictured above.

Accessible trails & views

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NORTH SHORE RIVERS & WATERFALLS AND WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE GUIDES: NorthShoreExplorerMN.com NorthShoreExplorer

36.6+ Snowmobile from here to access Gooseberry River, Gooseberry Falls State Park, and the North Shore State Trail. Take Lake County 106 to the Gooseberry Spur Trail which connects hundreds of miles of trails from Duluth to Canada.

36.6+ Hike to the top of Wolf Rock, a halfmile one-way for a fabulous view of Lake Superior and the Crow Creek Valley. Turn onto Lake County 106 and drive 2.4 miles to the trailhead.

37.0 GRAND SUPERIOR LODGE

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37.7 GOOSEBERRY CABINS

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38.9 GOOSEBERRY FALLS STATE PARK

• See one of the North Shore’s most popular falls. Hike to five falls in total.

• Year-round and accessible visitor center with interpretive exhibits, gift shop, and restrooms.

• Admire historic stone structures that were built in the 1930’s by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

• Access dozens of trails for hiking, biking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling. Accessible trails available.

• Year-round tent camping (and seasonal RV camping) is available.

38.9 Bike, walk, or skate the Gitchi-Gami State Trail from Gooseberry Falls State Park to Beaver Bay.

41.9

Relax on the pink rocks of Iona’s Beach (pictured on the cover). Pull into the Twin Points Public Access. There is ample parking and a boat launch with dock. Open seasonally.

45.4 Turn into the Split Rock Lighthouse scenic overlook for a view of the majestic lighthouse standing tall on the cliff over Lake Superior. There are two entrances from Highway 61, so if you pass the first one, turn into the second one.

46.0

Split Rock Lighthouse State Park

• Trails for hiking, snowshoeing, biking, and fat tire biking. Accessible lakeshore trail with a great view of Lake Superior.

• Seasonal RV camping at the new Shipwreck Campground. Year-round tent camping.

• Access the paved Gitchi-Gami State Trail for leisurely biking and hiking.

• Access Lake County’s new Split Rock Wilds mountain bike trails for advanced riders.

• Scuba dive the Madeira shipwreck.

• State Park vehicle permit required.

46.0

SPLIT ROCK LIGHTHOUSE, MINNESOTA HISTORICAL SOCIETY

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• Accessible visitor center, museum, and gift shop open year-round.

• Explore the historic grounds year-round. Friendly interpreters are available MarchDecember to navigate you through Split Rock’s rich history, life at the lighthouse, lighthouse technology, the site’s development, and more.

48.5 WAVE SONG BED & BREAKFAST

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Silver

Tunnel

Twin

Gooseberry

BEAVER BAY To

50.0 COVE POINT LODGE ON LAKE SUPERIOR

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50.0 NORTH SHORE CAMPING CO.

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50.0 COVE POINT CROSSINGS

218-226-4036

CovePointCrossings.com

At Cove Point Crossings, we provide quality food that tastes great. We pride ourselves on pizza, burgers, and sandwiches. Dine in or enjoy your food at one of our outdoor seating areas. Call to place a pick-up order. Eat delicious food. Grab a drink. But most of all, relax!

50.9 BAPTISM RIVER BBQ

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50.9 SKIPPING ROCKS GIFTS & TREASURES

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51.0

Turn north on Old Town Road to visit the historic Chippewa Indian Cemetery, the final resting place of John Beargrease. He is the famous dog-sledding mail carrier and namesake of the John Beargrease Dog Sled Marathon.

51.0 BEAVER BAY MINI MALL

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51.1

The Beaver Bay Rest Area has ADA accessible parking, picnic tables, and seasonal restrooms. Access the Gitchi-Gami State Trail. Take the trail to the Beaver River, or walk to the bridge for a great view.

51.1+

Head to the Superior Hiking Trail for an easy, scenic hike along the Beaver River. Turn north on Lax Lake Road (Lake County 4), the parking lot is in 0.8 miles.