High Falls on the Pigeon River at Grand Portage State Park

Minnesota hikes & waterfalls

Trail distances, stairs, permits and seasons for Minnesota's best-known hikes and falls.

Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, public domain

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Hikes & waterfalls

The concrete breakwater walkway leading to the white Grand Marais lighthouse, with the town shoreline behind it

Artists' Point in Grand Marais

Artists' Point in Grand Marais: where to park, what the rock point, breakwater and 1922 lighthouse are, and the wave and ice risks to check before walking out.

The Devil's Kettle on the Brule River, where half the river drops into a pothole

Devil's Kettle hike

The Devil's Kettle hike in Judge C.R. Magney State Park: distance, stairs and permits, plus what DNR hydrologists actually measured about the disappearing water.

Eagle Mountain's forested ridge rising behind a lake in Cook County, Minnesota's highest point

Eagle Mountain, Minnesota's highest point

Eagle Mountain, Minnesota's highest point at 2,301 feet: trailhead directions, the 7-mile round trip, and the free Boundary Waters day permit you need.

Lower Gooseberry Falls pouring over dark basalt ledges in Gooseberry Falls State Park, Minnesota

Gooseberry Falls trails and parking

Gooseberry Falls explained: which trail reaches the Upper, Middle and Lower Falls, how long each takes, the free visitor center lot, accessibility and winter access.

Orange-leaved birch trees on the rocky Lake Superior shoreline along the North Shore Scenic Drive in Minnesota

North Shore fall colors

When North Shore fall colors peak, inland ridges versus the Lake Superior shoreline, how to read the DNR Fall Color Finder, and which drives and parks to plan.

High Falls of the Baptism River pouring over a rock ledge in Tettegouche State Park on Minnesota's North Shore

North Shore waterfalls in driving order

Every major North Shore waterfall in driving order from Duluth, with the walk length, stairs, permit rule and park for each, from Gooseberry Falls to Grand Portage.

Dirt path through red, orange and green fall foliage on the Oberg Mountain loop near Tofte, Minnesota

Oberg Mountain trail

Oberg Mountain near Tofte: loop length, the Onion River Road trailhead and parking, the overlooks, and how to handle fall color weekend crowds.

The rhyolite cliffs of Palisade Head dropping straight into Lake Superior in Tettegouche State Park

Palisade Head road and parking

Palisade Head explained: the road up from Highway 61, the one-hour parking rule, why no permit is needed, the winter hike, cliff safety and climbing permits.

Sea stack and rocky, wooded shoreline at Shovel Point on Lake Superior in Tettegouche State Park

Shovel Point trail guide

Shovel Point in Tettegouche State Park: trail distance from the visitor center, the 300 stairs, free parking, cliff safety and the rock climbing permit.

Lake Agnes on the Superior Hiking Trail near Lutsen, ringed by spruce and early fall color

Superior Hiking Trail day hikes

Superior Hiking Trail day hikes by trailhead: loop and point-to-point distances, Highway 61 mileposts, parking rules, shuttles and what costs money.

State parks with good hiking

Full park guides, with trails, camping, fees and directions for each park. Or find the closest ones in the park finder.

State parks the DNR highlights for waterfalls

ParkRegionNearest townCampingDetails
Cascade RiverNorth ShoreLutsendrive-in, 5 backpackOur guide
DNR page
George Crosby ManitouNorth ShoreFinland20 backpackDNR page
Gooseberry FallsNorth ShoreTwo Harbors69 drive-inOur guide
DNR page
Grand PortageNorth ShoreGrand Marais, Minnesota and Thunder Bay, OntarioNo campingOur guide
DNR page
Judge C.R. MagneyNorth ShoreGrand Maraisdrive-inOur guide
DNR page
MinneopaPrairie & Minnesota RiverMankato61 drive-in, 6 electric; camper cabinsOur guide
DNR page
Nerstrand Big WoodsBluff CountryNerstrand51 drive-in, 27 electric, 6 cart-in, 4 walk-inOur guide
DNR page
Split Rock LighthouseNorth ShoreTwo Harborsdrive-in, cart-in, backpackOur guide
DNR page
TettegoucheNorth ShoreSilver Bay28 drive-in, 22 electric, 13 cart-in, 6 walk-in, 5 backpack, canoe-inOur guide
DNR page

Source: Minnesota DNR park data, retrieved November 11, 2026. Check the DNR page before you go.