Waterfalls to See This Summer in Minnesota

Go chasing waterfalls this summer! It’s no surprise that Minnesota is littered with waterfalls all across the state given her reputation for 10,000 lakes. Search far and wide to find your favorite waterfall in Minnesota. Here are a few of our favorites to get you started.

North Shore

Many of Minnesota’s waterfalls are found cascading towards Lake Superior on the North Shore. This makes for a wild getaway weekend of chasing waterfalls all along the stretch of Hwy 61.

Jay Cooke SP

Cross the swinging bridge over the St. Louis River in Jay Cooke state park for phenomenal views of the roaring rapids. The rapids are not tall, but they are wild. The rocky edges on the far side of the bridge give visitors an up close view of the raging river. The hiking trails following the river offer more views of the rock formations jutting out of the river waters.

Warning: Keep kids in hand, do not let them out of your site. The river is powerful and full of rock. The edges of the rocks drop straight into the river. Small children should be held or kept in hand.

Park Fees: $7 Day Pass or purchase a year-round pass for $35 (totally worth it)
Location: Carlton, MN

Gooseberry Falls SP

Gooseberry is my daughter’s favorite state park. The falls are entertaining all year round. We stop in, at least once, every year. Summer is her favorite time of year to visit, it offers rock hopping at the base of the lower falls.

Park Fees: No Fees
Location: Two Harbors, MN

Falls Loop Trail
Distance: 1 Mile
Type: Loop
Terrain: Paved, steps, dirt, boardwalk/bridge
Difficulty: Easy
Dog Friendly: Yes, on leash

Warning: Be cautious with little ones on the trail. Erosion has caused some of the trails to cave in and slide down. Follow signage for alternative routes and keep small children in hand.

Tettegouche SP

Tettegouche State Park saved us from a disastrous attempt at making it to the Boundary Waters one year in an Accidental Camping Trip. Even though it wasn’t the camping trip we were planning, it turned out to be it’s own adventure. Tettegouche has some of the best scenery in the state. You can’t beat the cliff viewing above Lake Superior, skipping rocks at the mouth of the Baptism River, or the jaw dropping majesty of the High Falls. Tettegouche is a must-see state park for every Minnesotan.

Park Fees: $7 Day Pass or purchase a year-round pass for $35
Location: Silver Bay, MN

High Falls Trail (Two Step Falls can also be seen from this trail)
Distance: 3 miles
Type: Out & Back
Terrain: Dirt/Boardwalk
Difficulty: Moderate
Dog Friendly: Yes, on leash

Temperance River SP

The Temperance River winds through the forest and rocky ledges of Temperance River State Park. This river has carved it’s path into the stone and through the forest to reach the massive Lake Superior. It’s astonishing to see this river flow. The surrounding hikes are wild with their stone steps and the unique terrain it takes to traverse your way to get a glimpse of the falls passing through it’s gorge.

Park Fees: $7 Day Pass or purchase a year-round pass for $35
Location: Silver Bay, MN

Gorge Trail
Distance: .25 miles
Type: Out & Back
Terrain: Dirt, rock, steps
Difficulty: Moderate
Dog Friendly: Yes, on leash

Upper Falls Trail
Distance: 2 miles
Type: Out & Back
Terrain: Dirt, rock, steps
Difficulty: Moderate
Dog Friendly: Yes, on leash

Cascade River SP

The Cascades are absolutely breathtaking. My daughters favorite falls of MN might be Gooseberry, but mine have to the Cascades at Cascade River SP. They wind down to rocks racing toward Lake Superior in such a majestic fashion.

Bonus: There is some pretty awesome camping at Cascade River.

Park Fees: $7 Day Pass or purchase a year-round pass for $35
Location: Lutsen, MN

Cascade River Lower Loop
Distance: 1 Mile
Type: Loop
Terrain: Dirt/Boardwalk
Difficulty: Easy (may be slippery in some areas)
Dog Friendly: Yes, on leash

Grand Portage Sp

Minnesota’s tallest waterfall roars from the Pigeon River between Minnesota and Canada. Grand Portage isn’t just a cool waterfall spot. The state park shares so much history about the area and contains a lot of cultural information to be absorbed by it’s visitors. The falls can be views from two hikes with two very different terrains.

Park Fees: $7 Day Pass or purchase a year-round pass for $35 (totally worth it)
Location: Grand Portage, MN (almost into Canada)

High Falls
Distance: 1 Mile
Type: Out & Back
Terrain: Paved
Difficulty: Easy
Dog Friendly: Yes, on leash

Middle Falls
Distance: 4.5 miles
Type: Needle Loop
Terrain: Dirt trail, rocky, sometimes slick, drastic elevation change.
Difficulty: Strenuous
Dog Friendly: Yes, on leash.

Johnson Falls

This waterfall takes a lot more planning, energy, and perseverance to reach. Johnson Falls resides inside the borders of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area & Wilderness. It’s one of the coolest BWCA adventures I’ve been on. If you’re up to tackling the task of visiting this waterfall check out the adventure here.

Southern Minnesota

Not every waterfall trip requires a visit to the North Shore. Check out these southern beauties and explore their astounding surroundings.

Nerstrand Big woods SP

Search for the hidden falls along the Prairie Creek. Along the way, view the rare dwarf trout lily. It only grows in this state park in Minnesota. There are some areas of the trails that are board walked and marked off with a rope. This is to ensure that hikers don’t tread on the rare flower, destroying it’s limited habitat.

Park Fees: $7 Day Pass or purchase a year-round pass for $35
Location: Nearstand, MN

Hidden Falls Trail
Distance: 1 mile
Type: Loop
Terrain: Dirt trail/boardwalk with stairs
Difficulty: Easy
Dog Friendly: Yes, on leash. Keep pets on trail to protect rare lily.

Pipestone National Monument

This culturally packed trail leads to one of the coolest spots in southern Minnesota. Hiking to Winnewissa Falls is such a whimsical experience. The falls seem so out of place and are absolutely gorgeous!

Park Fees: No Fees
Location: Pipestone, MN

Circle Trail
Distance: 3/4 mile
Type: Loop
Terrain: Paved
Difficulty: Easy
Dog Friendly: Yes, on leash.

Bonus Parks: The Pipestone area has two state parks nearby that are worth a visit: Blue Mounds & Split Rock Creek. We bundled these state parks into our Pipestone adventure for a full weekend of outdoor fun.

Minneopa

Camping, hiking, history, and bison….. Yes, BISON!! Not only does Minneopa have an amazing two-step falls with a spout hurdling it’s way down to a pool and creek, it also has a herd of bison. This park is split into two section. One side holds the tranquil waterfalls and peaceful picnic area. The other has hiking trails and a herd of bison in a 325 acre encloser that visitors can drive right through.

Park Fees: $7 Day Pass or purchase a year-round pass for $35
Location: Mankato, MN

Water Falls Hike
Distance: 1/3 mile
Type: Out & Back
Terrain: Paved
Difficulty: Easy
Dog Friendly: Yes, on leash.

Our Minneopa adventure has my daughter asking to go back every year now.

If you’re looking for more than just waterfalls, head over to Things to do this Summer in Minnesota. You’ll find ideas to add to your summer bucket list.