Gooseberry Falls State Park

Gooseberry Falls State Park sits along Minnesota’s North Shore of Lake Superior, about 40 miles northeast of Duluth near the small community of Two Harbors. The park is defined by a single dramatic feature: the Gooseberry River drops through a series of five distinct waterfalls before emptying into the lake. That combination of thundering cascades, ancient volcanic basalt, and the vast open water of Superior gives the park a character unlike anywhere else in the state.

The Five Waterfalls

The falls are the reason most people come, and they deliver. Upper Falls and Middle Falls are the most dramatic, dropping over exposed basalt ledges in the heart of the river gorge. Lower Falls splits around a rock island before tumbling to the river mouth. Two additional falls, Fifth Falls upstream and the smaller falls near the lake outlet, reward visitors who push beyond the central overlooks. Paved paths and boardwalks bring you close to the main cascades, and the Gitchi-Gami State Trail runs through the park and can be accessed near the Picnic Flow Trailhead/Gateway Plaza area; river-mouth views are reached via park trails such as the River View Trail. Plan to spend at least an hour moving between viewpoints, and expect crowds on summer weekends.

Trails Through the River Gorge and Forest

The park has roughly 20 miles of trails ranging from paved accessible paths near the visitor center to rugged backcountry routes through boreal forest. The River View Trail runs past the falls downstream to the river mouth and Picnic Flow Area, while other trails such as the Fifth Falls Trail loop upstream along the river. The Gitchi-Gami State Trail runs through the park along the Lake Superior shoreline, offering a different perspective from lake level. Trails are open year-round. In winter, groomed cross-country ski trails replace the hiking routes, and the park draws a steady crowd of skiers and snowshoers from January through March.

Lake Superior Shoreline

Where the Gooseberry River meets the lake, a stretch of rocky Superior shoreline opens up. The cobblestone and basalt beach is striking to walk, and on clear days the water takes on a deep blue that reads more like an ocean than a lake. Agate hunting along the shoreline is popular, particularly after storms churn the cobble. There is no designated swimming area, and the park does not encourage swimming given the lake’s cold temperatures and unpredictable wave surges year-round.

Camping

Gooseberry Falls has 70 non-electric campsites plus group camping, all within reasonable distance of the river and visitor center. Standard campsites are non-electric; electric hookup options are not listed for Gooseberry Falls State Park. The campground fills quickly on summer weekends and fall color weekends in late September and early October. Nearby Superior Hiking Trail campsites may exist in the area, but they are separate from the state park’s reservable campground and are managed under Superior Hiking Trail rules, not the DNR reservation system. All camping in the state park campground requires reservations through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reservation system.

The Visitor Center

The park has CCC-built stone and log structures from the 1930s, while the current Joseph N. Alexander Visitor Center is a later visitor facility, and it is worth a stop beyond just picking up a trail map. Exhibits cover the geology of the North Shore, the volcanic history of the basalt formations, and the natural and cultural history of the area. Staff are knowledgeable and can advise on current trail and waterfall conditions, which vary considerably by season and recent rainfall.

Pet Policy

Pets are welcome at Gooseberry Falls State Park and must be kept on a leash no longer than six feet at all times. Pets are allowed on park trails, in the campground, and in picnic areas, except where prohibited, including groomed ski trails during the winter skiing season; pets are not allowed in buildings or beach areas. Clean up after your pet, and be especially careful on the rocks near the falls, where a dog pulling toward the water can create a hazard for both the animal and the handler.

Wildlife to Be Aware Of

The rocks at the falls and through the gorge are the most immediate physical hazard. Wet basalt is extremely slippery, and the park sees injuries every season from visitors who step off designated paths onto the rock surfaces near the water. Stay on the paved and gravel paths at all viewpoints, regardless of how accessible a particular ledge looks.

Black bears are present throughout the North Shore, including inside the park. Store food and scented items in a locked vehicle or approved bear-resistant container, and use bear boxes only where provided; never store food or scented items inside a tent. On wooded trails away from the river, make noise as you hike to avoid surprising a bear at close range.

Lake Superior poses a consistent cold-water hazard. The lake stays cold enough to cause cold shock and hypothermia even in midsummer. Surge zones near the river mouth and along the rocky shoreline can pull a person off their feet without warning. Keep children and dogs back from the water’s edge in exposed areas, and treat the lake as you would any hazardous moving water.

Ticks are active from spring through fall in the forested sections of the park. Check yourself, your children, and your pets thoroughly after every outing. Pay attention to the hairline, behind the ears, and behind the knees. The forested backcountry trails carry higher tick exposure than the paved falls paths.

Practical Information

Gooseberry Falls State Park is located at 3206 Highway 61 East, Two Harbors, Minnesota 55616, approximately 40 miles northeast of Duluth along Highway 61. The park entrance is directly off Highway 61 and is well marked. The park is open year-round, though some facilities close in winter. A vehicle permit is required in the park, except at the visitor center/DOT Wayside parking lot: $7 per vehicle for a one-day permit or $35 for a year-round Minnesota State Parks vehicle permit valid at all state parks and recreation areas. Camping reservations can be made through the Minnesota DNR reservation system at mndnr.gov/reservations or by calling 866-857-2757. Fall color season in late September draws significant crowds, and summer weekends fill the campground quickly, so early reservations are strongly recommended.