The North Shore is home to dozens, if not hundreds, of waterfalls. Sometimes, especially in the spring, it seems like waterfalls are everywhere along Minnesota’s North Shore. Some of them run throughout the year, while others need heavy rain to form. In the winter, frozen snowfalls are popular winter climbing destinations. So, no matter what time of the year, visitors and locals alike flock to the area’s many waterfalls.
Dotted along the North Shore are hidden waterfalls that take some effort to get to, such as the falls at the Stairway Portage near Rose Lake. Others are much easier to find and explore. Below you’ll find a list of our favorite easier-to-find North Shore waterfalls. You can also print off our Waterfall Checklist and use it as your Waterfall Bucket List!
Duluth, Two Harbors, Castle Danger Waterfalls
Lester River Falls
Superior Street Bridge, Duluth, MN
View the falls from the Superior Street Bridge, or park your car to walk the trail along the river.
Gooseberry Falls
Gooseberry Falls State Park 3206 Highway 6, Two Harbors, MN
These popular falls are easy to access via a short paved trail in Gooseberry Falls State Park.
Split Rock River Waterfall
Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, Two Harbors, MN
You’ll need to get out your hiking boots to see the cascades on the Split Rock River. At the state park, take the Split Rock River Loop Trail, one of our favorite North Shore day hikes, to get a close-up view of the river gorge and waterfalls.
Beaver Falls
Beaver Bay, MN
The falls are just a short walk from downtown Beaver Bay. Learn More >
Baptism River High Falls and Illgen Falls
Tettegouche State Park, 5702 MN-61, Silver Bay, MN
The 60-foot High Falls are downstream from the 40-foot Illgen Falls on the Baptism River. Enter Tettegouche State Park and continue past the Visitor Center. Start the hike to the High Falls at the park trail center.
Manitou Falls
George H. Crosby-Manitou State Park, 7616 Lake County Road 7, Finland, MN
George H. Crosby-Manitou State Park will take you off the North Shore’s beaten track. Leave the park’s main parking lot for a rugged hike to the falls.
Schroeder, Tofte, Lutsen, Grand Marais Waterfalls
Caribou Falls
Highway 61 between Little Marais and Schroeder, MN
This stop is easy to miss! Access the falls via the Superior Hiking Trail from the Caribou River rest stop on Highway 61 (near mile marker 70).
Cross River Falls
Schroeder, MN
You’ll see this waterfall as you drive on Highway 61. Park your car in one of the parking lots and view the falls from the pedestrian bridges. You’ll get a great birds-eye view.
Temperance River Falls
7620 West Hwy 6, Schroeder, MN
View the series of falls and river gorges with a short quarter-mile walk from Highway 61. Follow the trail north of the highway to see the Hidden Falls.
Onion River Stair Step Falls
Ray Berglund State Wayside, between Tofte and Lutsen, MN
This small set of cascades is reached via a walking trail from the wayside rest on Highway 61. Climb the stairs on the north side of the parking lot to access the hiking trail.
Cascade Falls
Cascade River State Park Highway 61 between Lutsen and Grand Marais
Park in the lot next to Highway 61 for a short, easy hike to the Cascade Falls.
Hovland and Grand Portage Waterfalls
Brule River Upper Falls, Devils Kettle, and Lower Falls
Judge Magney State Park, 4501 W MN-61, Grand Marais, MN
Devil’s Kettle Falls is the most well-known of these three falls. The falls split in two with one side heading downstream and the other into a deep mysterious hole. No one knows where the water in this hole goes.
High Falls of the Pigeon River
Grand Portage State Park, 9393 MN-61, Grand Portage, MN
This waterfall is the tallest in Minnesota at 120 feet. It can be viewed from observation decks at the end of a half-mile handicap-accessible trail.
So hit the trails and track down our favorite North Shore Waterfall on your next trip Up North!