The best waterfalls along Minnesota’s Highway 61
Minnesota’s North Shore drops out of the Sawtooth highlands straight into Lake Superior, and every river that makes the trip does it in a series of falls. Most of the best ones are within a few hundred yards of Highway 61, which makes waterfall-hopping the easiest day you can plan up here.
Spring runoff in May is peak volume, mid-October gives you falls framed in color, and midwinter turns several of them into blue ice. Trails can be slick year-round — traction cleats are worth throwing in the car from November through April.
For the falls between Two Harbors and Silver Bay, staying up the shore saves you the drive: Cove Point Lodge sits on the water in Beaver Bay within fifteen minutes of Gooseberry, Split Rock and Beaver River Falls, and North Shore Camping Co. is on the ridge just above it.
Five falls on one short paved loop, right off Highway 61 in Gooseberry Falls State Park. Upper, Middle and Lower Falls are all a few minutes’ walk from the visitor center — the single best stop if you only make one.
The tallest waterfall entirely inside Minnesota at 70 feet, on the Baptism River. Figure a 1.5-mile hike each way from the trailhead, with a suspension bridge and an overlook platform at the top.
A quieter series of cascades along the Superior Hiking Trail’s Split Rock River loop. Go a mile in for the good water and far fewer people than Gooseberry.
A 45-foot drop on the Baptism River that most people drive right past. Short walk from a small pullout on Highway 1.
Falls and a gorge in the middle of Beaver Bay, viewable from the wayside — a five-minute stop on your way to dinner.
Farther up the shore past Lutsen, the Cascade and Temperance rivers stack falls one after another for anyone willing to drive an extra hour north.
Gooseberry Falls is the best single stop. Five falls sit on one short paved loop right off Highway 61, and Upper, Middle and Lower Falls are all a few minutes' walk from the visitor center, so you see the most water for the least effort.
High Falls on the Baptism River in Tettegouche State Park, at 70 feet, is the tallest waterfall entirely inside Minnesota. It's about a 1.5-mile hike each way from the trailhead near Silver Bay.
Spring runoff in May is peak volume. Mid-October gives you falls framed in fall color, and midwinter freezes several of them into blue ice. Trails are slick from November through April, so bring traction cleats.
Most falls are inside Minnesota state parks, which require a vehicle permit — a day pass or an annual permit that covers every park. Beaver River Falls and Illgen Falls are roadside stops with no permit needed.
