Welcome to a journey through Minnesota’s breathtaking North Shore. Here, the rugged beauty of Lake Superior converges with the enchanting wilderness of the North Woods. This extraordinary stretch, from Tettegouche State Park to Grand Portage, offers diverse experiences for everyone. You will see towering cliffs, cascading waterfalls, pristine forests, adorable lakeside towns, delicious dining and so much more.
Minnesota’s North Shore is a true paradise for all who wander its shores.
Home Base: Tettegouche State Park
Our First Stop, Tettegouche State Park is where we parked Rosie (our RV) for 8-nights. This park is a gem that showcases dramatic vistas, powerful waterfalls and serene trails.
The roads into the campground are in desperate need of repair. Moreover, there is only electric & water hookup. Still, the campground itself is magical. You are situated right in the heart of the park. There is easy access to stunning overlooks and easy hikes to waterfalls and clean bathhouses. Attractions like Gitchi-Gami State Trail, Gooseberry Falls, Palisade Head, and Split Rock Lighthouse are just a stone’s throw away.
Quick Access to the 10 Best Hiking Trails in Tettegouche State Park
Our 8-night stay was fully packed with adventure and sights. We broke our visit up into three categories: Waterfalls, Overlooks, and Other.
It was from this site that we were close to all the these fun activities:
WATERFALLS
These links will jump you to your Waterfall of choice or continue to scroll to see them all.
High Falls of Baptism River
High Falls is the highest waterfall in Minnesota and plunges 60-feet into a picturesque gorge. The trail meanders through lush woodlands, offering glimpses of the river and the surrounding landscape. As you approach the falls, the sound of rushing water grows louder, building anticipation for the stunning view that awaits.
There are several hikes that will get you to this spot. We enjoyed the 2.8-mile trail, High Falls and Two Step Falls via Superior Hiking Trail.
This breathtaking waterfall is fed by the Baptism River, and its impressive drop creates a captivating sight.
High Falls is a must-see highlight of Tettegouche State Park.
NOTE: The High Falls bridge is CLOSED indefinitely due to flood damage. Superior Hiking Trail thru-hikers must detour toward the park office. They need to cross the river on the park road bridge. Note – you can still hike to the High Falls from both sides; you just can’t cross the river. The Cascade Falls Trail is also CLOSED indefinitely due to flood damage on a bridge. There is no detour.
Gooseberry Falls
A true testament to Minnesota’s natural beauty is Gooseberry Falls State Park, the most visited park in Minnesota is nestled along the stunning North Shore of Lake Superior.
Gooseberry Falls State Park is renowned for its breathtaking waterfalls. They are as refreshing for a dip in their cool clear waters as they are beautiful.
Gooseberry Falls is the crown jewel of the park. It features five waterfalls, with the Upper and Lower Falls being the most prominent.
The Upper Falls is a 30-foot drop located under Highway 61. [We do not have a picture of this falls].
The middle and lower falls are right on top of each other just below Highway 61. They feature a series of cascading waterfalls. These waterfalls plunge dramatically over ancient basalt rock formations.
The Lower Falls then empties into Lake Superior.
With over 20 miles of trails, Gooseberry Falls State Park caters to hikers of all skill levels. The trails wind through picturesque landscapes, offering everything from leisurely walks to challenging hikes.
Any visit to Minnesota’s North Shore MUST include a stop at Gooseberry Falls and be sure to bring your swimsuit!
High Falls at Grand Portage
Right on the border between Minnesota and Canada sits Grand Portage State Park. The first awesome thing you will notice is the Welcome Center. It also serves as a highway rest area and travel information center. This honors the centuries-old tradition of the Ojibwe people.
The lobby of the welcome center serves as an introduction. It acquaints park visitors with the culture of the Grand Portage Ojibwe people. The turtle on the floor helps illustrate the Ojibwe creation and migration stories. This is the only state park in Minnesota located on Tribal owned land.
The one-half mile trail to Minnesota’s highest waterfall is paved with very gentle elevation changes. The round trip walk is one mile with several benches for resting along the way. Expect to take thirty to forty minutes to travel the trail, including time for spectacular photography opportunities at High Falls.
The High Falls of the Pigeon River is Minnesota’s highest waterfall, plummeting 120 feet into a narrow rocky gorge.
There are three different viewing decks. Our pictures are from the East Deck, The third and smallest viewing deck for the High Falls.
OVERLOOKS
Palisades Head
Palisade Head is a breathtaking cliff formation that rises nearly 300 feet above Lake Superior. It has some of the most spectacular views in the region.
This natural wonder is part of Tettegouche State Park. The dramatic basalt cliffs, formed by volcanic activity millions of years ago, create a striking contrast against the deep blue waters of the lake.
For adventurous souls, Palisade Head is also a popular destination for rock climbing, attracting climbers of all skill levels. We were there on a couple of different occasions to watch these brave souls….
The area is rich in wildlife and makes it an ideal spot for bird watching. It is especially impressive during migration (late spring to early fall) seasons when eagles and hawks can be spotted soaring above the cliffs.
We had an interesting interaction with supermodel “Fern”, a native Spruce Grouse that posed ever so perfectly atop the rock shelving.
Fun Fact: Spruce grouse are sometimes referred to as “fool hens” because they can be surprisingly tame and often allow humans to approach closely. NOTE: We DID NOT approach her, she approached us……
Split Rock Lighthouse
Situated on a 130-foot cliff overlooking Lake Superior, this historic 1910 lighthouse is a popular tourist destination and is particularly picturesque during the first light of day.
These next photos are available for purchase on our website.
Split Rock Lighthouse State Park visitors can tour the lighthouse, fog signal building, and keeper’s house courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society
The Park is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with knowledgeable volunteers and staff to answer your questions. There is adequate parking or you can also choose to visit with a bike ride on the Gitchi-Gami State Trail.
Shovel Point
Shovel Point, another amazing overlook located within Tettegouche State Park, is just a 20-minute walk on a well maintained trail from the visitor center.
This breathtaking overlook provides a stunning view down the shoreline traverses sea caves, a sea stack, the mouth of the Baptism River, and Palisade Head.
The trail is a short 1.2 mile out-and-back trail on both boardwalks and a well worn dirt path. We rode our bikes from our campsite to the visitor center to begin our trek.
This versatile overlook provides a stunning view of both Sunrise and Sunset.
Other activities we fit into our stay included:
Beach Time
Sea Cave Beach, a stretch of a mix of rocks and sand with a view of two large sea caves that are visible but inaccessible without a boat.
You won’t find this location on Google Maps and there is not an official parking area but there is a small gravel pull-off after MN-1 along MN-61.
We were the only ones this afternoon and we were entertained by a lone loon.
Pink Beach. Drive right up to this expansive beach at the Iona’s Beach Scientific & Natural Area Parking Lot. This area was acquired to protect one of the largest and least disturbed Lake Superior beaches in Lake County. Walk the beach in any season after taking a short trail through the pines to the open area.
Please…always remember to follow the rules of “leave no trace”.
Gitchi-Gami Bike Trail
Gitchi-Gami State Trail. The name, Gitchi-Gami is the Ojibwe name for Lake Superior, meaning “great sea” or “big water”
The Gitchi-Gami is 33-miles of paved trail, we rode our bikes from the parking lot at Split Rock Lighthouse to Silver Bay back to Gooseberry Falls with a walk around Gooseberry Falls, back to our starting point complete with a tour of the Lighthouse and a short respite on the beach.
Small Coastal Towns
Grand Marais, Minnesota, is a charming coastal town nestled within the boundaries of the scenic North Shore. This picturesque destination features well landscaped walking paths that welcome you to explore their unique shops, delicious dining options and unique bars.
Artist’s Point, a rocky peninsula that provides breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding landscape offers amazing photography opportunities.
With its welcoming atmosphere and breathtaking scenery, Grand Marais is a perfect getaway for those seeking adventure and relaxation alike.
Our first stop was lunch at the Angry Trout Café in Grand Marais. This cozy eatery is renowned for its commitment to fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The menu features an array of delectable options, with an emphasis on sustainable seafood and hearty comfort food.
The atmosphere is warm and inviting, filled with friendly service that makes you feel right at home. Whether you’re stopping by for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, the Angry Trout offers a unique culinary experience.
We rated their Fish Chowder and Tarter Sauce as the BEST we’ve ever eaten. Our entrees were scrumptious with locally sourced ingredients. The service was impeccable!
I think what I loved most about the Angry Trout is their commitment to provide a living wage for their employees. As they explain about their 20% service charge, judge for yourself.
“Everyone on our staff works extremely hard to ensure you have a great experience. In support of our commitment to provide a professional living wage for all our employees, all prices include a 20% service charge which is split up in its entirety amongst all staff working that day. Additional gratuities are completely optional (and well deserved) but absolutely not expected. Owners do not retain any of these funds.”
There are many other options in the town to satisfy any palate.
We ended our day with a local brew at Voyager Brewing, a taproom with a great view of Lake Superior and a variety of locally brewed craft beers that are are served on site. Since we were there in the summer, we were able to relish in a brisk evening on the top deck overlooking Lake Superior for a perfect ending to our full day.
In Closing
If you’ve enjoyed these adventures, please tune in for more as we cover our 2024 visit to Minnesota’s Boundary Waters, North & South Dakota and embark on our 2025 Travels.
Dream Big….Travel Far….Live Well
Photography
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