Gooseberry Falls trails and parking

The Gooseberry River crosses about three miles of the park and drops over five waterfalls. The DNR says it falls 240 feet on its way to Lake Superior. Three of them, the "main falls," sit right beside Highway 61. Fifth Falls is farther upstream, on a 2-mile loop.

This guide is for a day visit: which route to walk, where to park, what is accessible, and what changes in winter. For campsites, see the Gooseberry Falls camping guide. Facts come from the Minnesota DNR, listed at the end.

The falls, and how to reach each one

The DNR's self-guided tour calls the Middle Falls "Minnesota State Parks' most visited waterfalls." It also explains why there are three of them so close together: "Three lava flows make the Upper, Middle, & Lower Falls."

Middle and Upper Falls: the Waterfalls Walk

This is the short version. From the visitor center, follow the trail toward the Middle Falls until the "Castle in the Park" comes into view. That's a stone retaining wall built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, about 300 feet long according to the DNR. The trail continues down to the Middle Falls viewing platform. Use the switchback route instead of the stairs if you need the accessible path.

From there, continue to the Upper Falls viewing area, then loop under the highway bridge on a suspended walkway and back to the visitor center. The DNR suggests walking across the bridge itself for a view down the gorge. On a clear day, the DNR says, you can see across Lake Superior to the Wisconsin shoreline and Sand Island, "about 30-40 miles across the Lake."

Adding the Lower Falls: the Falls Loop

The 1-mile Falls Loop starts the same way, then follows the east side of the river down to the river bottom. It crosses the river on two footbridges and climbs a boardwalk back up to the Middle Falls platform. It has stairs and is not ADA accessible.

In spring (trout) and fall (salmon), the DNR says you may see fish under the footbridges or in the pool below the Lower Falls.

Fifth Falls

The Fifth Falls Trail is a 2-mile loop up the river from the visitor center. The DNR map rates it "Hilly • Gravel • Boardwalks." The same route continues as the access trail to the Superior Hiking Trail, north of the park.

Parking: where it's free

This is the question most visitors have, and the answer is in state law. Minnesota Statutes 85.054 says no state park permit is required "at the class I highway rest area parking lot located adjacent to marked Trunk Highway 61 and the Gooseberry River." The DNR park map says the same: permits are required in the park "EXCEPT at the visitor center/DOT Wayside parking lot."

A permit costs $7 for one day or $35 for a year, per the DNR permit page. Buy it at the visitor center or the entrance kiosk.

Hours differ by source. The park itself is open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. The DNR park map says the "DOT Wayside open 24 hrs," while the DNR's North Shore waterfall itinerary says the rest area is open "from 8am to 9pm daily." Plan a daytime visit, or call the park at 218-595-7100.

Accessibility

• The DNR lists 1 mile of wheelchair-accessible trail. It "begins at the visitor center and extends to the main falls area."
• The Waterfalls Walk reaches the Middle and Upper Falls on the accessible route. The Lower Falls require stairs.
• The Joseph N. Alexander Visitor Center has accessible restrooms, drinking water, exhibits and a theater, open year-round. The DNR lists its hours as daily, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Rules and safety at the falls

From the DNR park map and park page:

• Swimming is prohibited at the Upper Falls. "Deep pools and a strong current exist."
• Keep children close in the falls area: "There are slippery rocks, cliffs and many people."
• Shoes: "Wear good hiking shoes (not flip flops) and stay on trails."
• Drones are not allowed in the park.
• Pets must be leashed and are not allowed in buildings or on beaches.
• Fishing for salmon in the Gooseberry River needs a trout stamp.

Gooseberry Falls in winter

The falls area stays open. The DNR says "the half mile trail to the Upper Falls is maintained for hikers," and the self-guided tour notes it is "the only maintained, winter walking trail." Snowshoeing is allowed anywhere in the park except groomed ski trails, and the park grooms 12 miles of classic ski trail. Skiers 16 and older need a Great Minnesota Ski Pass on groomed trails. Fat bikes are not allowed here; the DNR points riders to Split Rock Lighthouse State Park instead.

Alert as of November 2026 (DNR, updated November 4, 2026): from November 7 to 22, 2026, a special deer hunt closes trails on the north side of Highway 61, including the Superior Hiking Trail in the park. The DNR says "the Falls area, Gitchi Gummi Hiking Club Trail, and trails on the Lake Superior side of highway 61 are open," and recommends blaze orange.

Other short stops in the park

• Picnic Flow: an exposed lava flow on the Lake Superior shore, 20 to 30 minutes on foot from the visitor center via the River View Trail, or about 5 minutes by car (permit needed to park there).
• Agate Beach and the river mouth: picnic areas with restored CCC log and stone tables.
• Gitchi-Gami State Trail: paved; 8 miles one way to Split Rock Lighthouse State Park or 15 miles to Beaver Bay.

Before you go

1. Park at the visitor center / DOT wayside lot for no-permit access, and plan for under two hours there.
2. Pick your route: Waterfalls Walk (accessible, Middle and Upper Falls) or Falls Loop (stairs, all three).
3. Wear real shoes; the rocks at the falls are slippery.
4. Buy a $7 permit if you will drive to the Picnic Flow or the campground.
5. In winter, stick to the maintained half-mile trail to the Upper Falls.
6. Check the DNR park page for alerts.

Gooseberry is the first major waterfall stop on the North Shore waterfalls in driving order, and the next stop up the shore is the Split Rock Lighthouse.

Related guides: All North Shore guides · Minnesota hikes and waterfalls · Duluth to Grand Marais, stop by stop · Lake Superior agates · Things to do in Two Harbors

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Sources

• Minnesota DNR, Gooseberry Falls State Park (trails, hours, visitor center, alerts): https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state-parks/park.html?id=spk00172
• Minnesota DNR, Gooseberry Falls State Park summer map and guide (PDF): https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/state_parks/spk00172_summer.pdf
• Minnesota DNR, Gooseberry Falls State Park winter map (PDF): https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/state_parks/spk00172_winter.pdf
• Minnesota DNR, Discover Gooseberry Falls: A self-guided tour: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/gooseberry_falls/selftour.html
• Minnesota DNR, Discover Gooseberry Falls self-guided tour (printable PDF): https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/destinations/state_parks/gooseberry_falls/selftour.pdf
• Minnesota DNR, North Shore waterfall tour, weekend itinerary: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state-parks/itineraries/north-shore-waterfall-itinerary.html
• Minnesota DNR, Vehicle permits: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state-parks/permit.html
• Minnesota Statutes 85.054, State park permit exemptions: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/85.054