×

注意!页面内容来自https://visitduluth.com/itinerary/waterfalls/,本站不储存任何内容,为了更好的阅读体验进行在线解析,若有广告出现,请及时反馈。若您觉得侵犯了您的利益,请通知我们进行删除,然后访问 原网页

Waterfalls In and Around Duluth

A couple smiles up at their camera as they take a photo together near the tischer creek falls of congdon park in duluthminnesota.

Spring on the North Shore means one thing: waterfall season! As the snow and ice meltthe rivers wake uprushing toward Lake Superior with extra power and creating some of the most breathtaking cascades you’ll ever see. Whether you’re up for an easy stroll or a full-day adventurethere’s a waterfall for you.

Duluth’s Must-See Waterfalls

You don’t have to leave the city to find incredible waterfalls. Duluth is home to several hidden gemstucked away in parks and along trails that make you forget you’re in an urban setting.

Lester Park Waterfalls

Trail Info: Hike along Amity Creek and Lester River to multiple cascades.

Parking: Lester Park parking lot just off Lester River Road.

Lester River runs through the east side of Duluthcutting through the rocky landscape to create small waterfalls and cascades. The trails here wind through the woodsmaking for a peaceful stroll. Enjoy a scenic drive along Seven Bridges Road and visit the Lester River mouth near Brighton Beach where it flows into Lake Superior. Check out the Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory for a scenic overlook.

Bonus: In the springkeep an eye out for whitewater rafters paddling the rivers. In the fallthe golden leaves reflecting on the water are unreal.

Did You Know? Lester Park is home to a secret rock-skipping beach where locals hunt for Lake Superior agates!

Photo By: Visit Duluth.

Tischer Creek Falls

Trail Info: A shortscenic walk through a volcanic rock gorge.

Parking: Street parking near Congdon Park on Superior Streetacross from Congdon Elementary School.

Tucked away in Congdon ParkTischer Creek Falls feels like a fairytale escapewith red volcanic rock walls and wooden bridges. This hidden gem is right in town but feels miles away from city life. Visit Glensheen Mansion or hop on the North Shore Scenic Railroad afterwards.

Special Note: The trail offers both creekside views and elevated paths — so whether you like to get up close or admire from aboveyou’ve got options.

Safety Tip: Please note that as of June 2024the trail is closed indefinitely.

Photo By: Plain Adventure/Flickr.

Chester Park Falls

Trail Info: A 2.5-mile hiking loop with small but beautiful waterfalls.

Parking: Main parking lot off Skyline Parkway or at the bottom of the park near 14th Ave E. and 4th St.

Chester Creek winds through a scenic ravinedropping over several small waterfalls on its way to Lake Superior. The trails here are perfect for a casual hikeand in the summeryou might catch live music at Chester Bowlwhere you can find the Chester Bowl Playground.

Local Secret: After your hikegrab a bite at Burrito Union — an iconic Duluth spot just down the road.

Photo By: Christopher Paris.

Miller Creek Falls

Trail Info: 1.5-mile walking trail with a peaceful waterfall.

Parking: Lincoln Park parking area at 25th Ave. W. and 5th St.

Miller Creek tumbles through Lincoln Parkcreating beautiful cascades surrounded by rugged terrain. This spot is great for a quick nature break without leaving the city. Visit the Lincoln Park Craft District afterwards for coffeebeerand shopping.

Fun Fact: This is one of the least crowded waterfalls in townmaking it a peaceful escape even on busy weekends.

Photo By: Amy Peterson.

Kingsbury Creek Falls

Trail Info: A short hike behind the zoo leads to Kingsbury Creek fallsor see it from the zoo.

Parking: Lake Superior Zoo parking lot (admission required for access) or use the Waseca Street trailhead.

Nestled behind the Lake Superior Zoothis waterfall is easy to miss but worth seeking out. The creek flows through Fairmont Parkoffering great rock-hopping opportunities when water levels are low. Stop by the Spirit Mountain Adventure Park after your trip to the zoo.

Adventure Tip: If you’re up for a challengefollow Kingsbury Creek upstream — hidden waterfalls and rock formations await!

Photo By: Gregory Israelson/Destination Duluth.

In the springcheck in with local outfitters to find the best spots for watching whitewater kayakers navigate the rapids or fisherfolk reeling in their catch. When summer arrivestrade hiking boots for sandals and cool off with a swimwade through the shallowsor search for Lake Superior agates along the shore. Come fallthe fiery redsorangesand yellows of the season reflect off cascading waterscreating a breathtaking scene. And in winterbundle up and watch ice climbers take on frozen waterfalls in an awe-inspiring display of skill and endurance. No matter the seasonDuluth’s waterfalls are always worth exploring!

Worth the Drive: North Shore and Beyond

If you’re up for a short drivethese waterfalls are from 30 minutes up to 3 hours away from Duluth and offer stunning scenery with minimal effort.

Jay Cooke State Park

Travel Time: 20 minutes south of Duluth.

Trail Info: Hike from the Swinging Bridge to see the dramatic St. Louis River rapids.

Parking: Free at the River Inn Visitor Area.

About 20 miles south of DuluthJay Cooke State Park is home to a stretch of the St. Louis River that churns over jagged slate rockcreating dramatic cascades. Walk the Swinging Bridge for the best views. Watch whitewater kayakers tackle the falls and rapids. As a quick detour off of I-35it’s a great spot to stop if you’re coming to (or heading home from) Duluth from the south.

Nearby Stops: Oldenburg Point scenic overlookCarlton bike trails.

Photo By: nikrowell/Flickr.

Amnicon Falls State Park

Travel Time: 30 minutes south of Duluth.

Trail Info: A network of shorteasy trails loops around multiple waterfalls.

Parking: Free with a Wisconsin State Parks pass or daily admissionavailable at the self-pay station near the entrance.

Unlike North Shore waterfalls that dramatically plunge into gorgesAmnicon Falls cascades over ancient rock in smoothlayered drops. In the summeryou might see visitors wading into the shallow pools below the falls — use cautionrocks can be slippery! The covered footbridge over the Amnicon River offers one of the best views in the park.

Grab a Bite: Enjoy a burger at the Anchor Bar and Grill in Superior on your way back to Duluth.

Photo By: turn_off_your_computer_and_go_outside/Flickr.

Gooseberry Falls State Park

Travel Time: 45 minutes north of Duluth.

Trail Info: Paved and dirt trails to multiple waterfalls.

Parking: Gooseberry Falls State Park Visitor Center.

A showstopper of North Shore waterfallsGooseberry Falls is a multi-tiered wonder. The trails are easythe views are unbeatableand in summeryou’ll find kids (and adults) splashing in the lower falls. Bonus: Stop by the Split Rock Lighthouse for an additional waterfall.

Pro Tip: Take the extra mile hike to Fifth Falls for a quieter experience.

Photo By: Joe Ennesser/Flickr.

High Falls of the Baptism River

Travel Time: 1 hour10 minutes north of Duluth.

Trail Info: 3 miles round-trip to Minnesota’s highest inland waterfall.

Parking: Tettegouche State Park Visitor Center.

At 70 feetthis is the highest waterfall entirely within Minnesota. The hike is a moderate 1.5 mileswith stunning views along the way. Visit the mouth of the Baptism River or stop by the iconic Black Beach and play mini-golf in Silver Bay after.

Don’t Miss: If you’ve got timeTwo Step Falls along the same trail is another stunner.

Photo By: Brady Knoll.

Caribou Falls State Wayside

Travel Time: 1 hour20 minutes north of Duluth.

Trail Info: A shortwell-maintained hike leads to a stunning 40-ft waterfall.

Parking: Caribou Falls State Wayside.

Caribou Falls has a widesmooth drop that looks like a natural amphitheater. A wooden staircase descends to the base of the fallsoffering a fantastic up-close view. In summerthe pool at the base is a popular spot to dip your feet and cool off! Be sure to wear open toed sandals to enjoy!

Local Favorite: Visit nearby Sugarloaf Cove for unique shoreline geology.

Photo By: Josh Hild.

Temperance River State Park

Travel Time: 1 hour30 minutes north of Duluth.

Trail Info: A dramatic series of waterfalls cut into a narrow canyonwith easy access.

Parking: Temperance River State Park wayside.

A short but dramatic hike along the Temperance River leads to Hidden Fallswhere the water has carved a deeptwisting slot canyon through ancient rock. The trail follows the river past multiple viewpointsoffering glimpses of the churning rapids before the water rushes toward Lake Superior.

Local Highlight: These “Hidden Falls” are tucked into the gorge. Stand at the edge and listen — you’ll hear the roar of the water long before you see it!

Photo By: Seclusive Nature/Flickr.

Cascade River State Park

Travel Time: 1 hour50 minutes north of Duluth.

Trail Info: A series of waterfalls along a rugged river gorgeaccessible via a 1-mile loop.

Parking: Cascade River State Park lot.

True to its namethe Cascade River drops over multiple waterfalls as it rushes toward Lake Superior. A short hike offers stunning views of the series of falls. Grab a bite to eat at the Cascade Restaurant and Puba local favorite since 1947.

Nearby Stops: Grand Marais is a perfect post-hike town for coffee and donuts.

Photo By: turn_off_your_computer_and_go_outside/Flickr.

Devil’s Kettle

Travel Time: 2 hours15 minutes north of Duluth.

Trail Info: A leisurely trail offers scenic picnic spots while checking out a North Shore mystery.

Parking: Judge C.R. Magney State Park parking lot.

One of the North Shore’s greatest mysteries — half the Brule River disappears into a holeand no one really knows where it goes! (Scientists solved this mystery back in 2017but we like to believe it’s a portal to another dimension.)

Local Lore: People have thrown in logsdyeand even ping pong balls to track the water’s path—none have ever been found!

Photo By: Captain Tenneal/Flickr.

High Falls of the Pigeon River

Travel Time: 2 hours45 minutes north of Duluth.

Trail Info: Easywheelchair-accessible trail to Minnesota’s tallest waterfall.

Parking: Grand Portage State Park Visitor Center or cross into Canadacontinue on Highway 593and park along the road.

This is the tallest waterfall in Minnesota at 120 feetright on the Canadian border. The easywheelchair-accessible trail makes this an amazing stop for all ages. You can access the falls from Canada using the Pigeon River Provincial Parkwhich offers a different viewpoint of the falls — don’t forget to bring your passport!

Photo Tip: Visit in the morning for the best lighting and a chance to see misty rainbows over the falls.

Photo By: Sean Marshall/Flickr.

The beauty of the North Shore is that you can customize your journey. Start your day in Duluthexploring Canal Park and the famous aerial lift bridgethen head over to Enger Tower to enjoy scenic views of the city before taking a drive down Skyline Parkway. Check out our local waterfalls and head over to Brighton Beach before heading out to see what the rest of the area has to offer.

Book Recommendations

Want to go deeper? These books will help waterfall chasers find every hidden cascade:

Waterfalls of Minnesota’s North Shore and More — The ultimate guide to every North Shore waterfall.

Hiking Waterfalls in Minnesota — A great book for pairing your waterfall visits with scenic hikes.

Waterfalls of Minnesota — Guides readers to the top-ranked waterfalls in the stateas well as a few secret spots.

61 Gems on Highway 61 — Perfect for discovering all the best roadside stops on your trip north.

North Shore Adventures — If your idea of fun involves hiking bootsbicyclesor kayaksgrab this guidebook!

Grab your copy at one of our local bookstores and outfitters: Zenith BookstoreThe Bookstore at Fitger’sGabriel’s Used BookstoreTrailfittersand Barnes & Noble.

Plan Your Next Waterfall Adventure

Two women laugh together as they sit on a boulder on the side of the tischer creek in congdon park of duluthminnesota.

Spring is peak waterfall seasonbut these spots are beautiful year-round. Summer is great for wadingfall brings stunning colorsand winter turns many of these falls into frozen sculptures. Whether you have just a day or a whole weekendpack your bagshit the trailsand prepare to be amazed by the natural beauty of the Northland.

More Resources and Travel Tips

Vdpassicon 1

Do I Need a Permit?

Some sites require an entry fee. If you’re a frequent explorerconsider upgrading to a Minnesota State Parks and Trails Specialty License Plate at the DMV to enjoy unlimited access to all state parks and recreation areas for a full year.

Vdcalendaricon 1

Best Time to Visit

Springbetween mid-April and early Junewhen snowmelt makes the waterfalls their most powerful.

Vdcrowdicon 1

Avoid the Crowds

Visit early in the morning or on weekdays. Gooseberry and Tettegouche parking lots can fill up fast!

Vdbackpackicon 1

Packing Essentials

Waterproof hiking bootsextra sockssnacksa reusable water bottleand a camera. Bring your jacket — the lake effect can be unreal!

Vdhikingbooticon 1

Safety Tips

Rocks are slippery when wet — wear sturdy shoes and stay on marked trails. The spray from some falls is no joke!

Vdmapicon 1

Where to Get Trail Maps

Use the City of Duluth’s Parks and Trails Mapstop by one of the Minnesota State Park Visitor Centersor find maps online at the Minnesota DNR website.

Happy waterfall chasing!

Related Itineraries

A woman sits while she is hugged from behind by her son on a sandy beach in duluthmn

Labor Day Weekend in Duluth

Send off summer in on the shores of Lake Superior! From high-flying thrills and Duluth Superior Pride at Bayfront Festival Park to harbor cruiseshistoric train ridesand dining at local favoritesexplore our complete 3-day Labor Day weekend itinerary in Duluth. Read More

Crafted to Perfection: Curating the Perfect Duluth Brew Tour

Round up your taste buds and follow along for a fall-themed brewery tourled by the people who make the magic happen. Enjoy responsibly. Check out a full list of Duluth Breweries here. Read More