13 Waterfalls on the North Shore, MN That You Must See

The North Shore is known for quite a few things, but it’s incredible waterfalls are one of the top reasons that people, including myself, visit often.

From the most popular stops like Gooseberry Falls to more hidden gems like Caribou Falls and Barrier Falls, there are so many to see, many of which are easy to reach!

I’ve been exploring the North Shore since I was just a little girl, since I grew up only an hour away. Now I still spend at least one weekend a month on the shore, chasing waterfalls and adventuring on hiking trails.

In this post, I’ll share a few of the absolute best waterfalls on the North Shore, MN that you need to add to your ‘must-visit’ list for your next trip up north!

Best North Shore, MN Waterfalls

1. High Falls of the Baptism River

As the tallest waterfall in the state, High Falls of the Baptism River is definitley one that you’ll want to stop at during your visit.

It stands at about 60 feet tall in Tettegouche State Park and you can reach it by a pretty easy 2 mile hiking trail.

This was actually the first waterfall that I ever visited on the North Shore, and is where I fell in love with it! We’ve visited at least 10 times since!

There’s a lot of space at the base of the falls to wander around, wade in the water, and enjoy the views. I also HIGHLY recommend going to the top of the waterfall (past the main turn off) and seeing the view there! It’s amazing, although you can’t pass the swing bridge anymore since it was damaged in past storms.

During spring is the best time to visit, when the water is flowing rampantly and creates a massive waterfall!

2. High Falls of the Pigeon River

I know what you’re thinking – ‘you already named High Falls!’ But this is the High Falls of the Pigeon River and is found in Grand Portage!

Something really unique about this waterfall is that technically it would be the tallest waterfall in Minnesota… if it weren’t halfway in Canada.

High Falls of the Pigeon River is a huge waterfall that stands at almost 120 feet, located halfway between Minnesota and Canada.

It’s really a beautiful falls, dropping into a gorge that’s surrounded by greenery. I also love it because of short and easy the hike is, plus the trail is paved so it’s great for anyone to reach it.

3. Caribou Falls

This has become one of my favorite waterfalls in the state because of how great of a hidden gem it is!

Caribou Falls is smaller, tumbling down a rocky cliff and into a pool at the base of the falls.

I’ve heard that people swim in the pool at the bottom, but I typically like to just hangout, eat lunch, and enjoy the view! Especially during the fall season, the fall colors at this waterfall are amazing!

Honestly, I wasn’t expecting much on my first visit, but I’ve really grown to love it and appreciate how it’s much less crowded than other trails.

When Tyler and I first visited, there wasn’t anyone else on the trail! And we’ve gone back multiple times since and have never seen more than 3 people there at the same time as us.

4. Devil’s Kettle

Devil’s Kettle is a waterfall that you’re going to want to see for yourself. It was a mystery for quite a while with scientists not knowing where part of the water disappeared to.

They now know where it goes, but it’s still fun to visit and ponder what took them so long to figure it out!

I really love Devil’s Kettle because it’s a bit different than other waterfalls on the North Shore. It’s kind of like a double falls that drops into a giant punchbowl.

I will say that this one does get quite busy though, so plan accordingly! It’s one of the closest on this list to Grand Marais, which makes it a nice place to visit while you’re there.

5. Beaver River Falls

Most people skip right over Beaver Bay when looking for activities on the North Shore, but honestly, a stop here is so worth it!

Right off of Highway 61 near the rest area in Beaver Bay is Beaver River Falls, and when you visit this waterfall in the spring, you’re in for a huge treat. It was actually one of the first places that Tyler and I visited together on the North Shore.

It’s a massive cascading waterfall that starts at the top of a rocky cliff and cascades all the way down the hill that the river leads down.

You actually don’t have to hike at all to see this falls. Just park at the rest area and walk out to the sidewalk that’s connected to the highway. You can see the falls from there!

6. Gooseberry Falls

If there’s one waterfall that you probably already know about on the North Shore, it’s likely Gooseberry Falls.

This series of waterfalls are found in the namesake state park in Two Harbors and you can actually reach them without having to walk very far from the parking lot.

Upper, Middle, and Lower Gooseberry Falls drop down huge cliffs just below Highway 61.

You can wander around the waterfalls and walk through the base of them as they drop into the next waterfall.

Gooseberry Falls is usually very, very busy and you’ll have to snap your pictures and see the views around people. So I would recommend getting there early in the day if you’d like to avoid some of those crowds.

And then after seeing the falls, make a stop at one of the best restaurants nearby, Rustic Inn for a slice of pie!

7. Two Step Falls

If you’re taking the hike to see High Falls of the Baptism River, I highly recommend adding on a stop to Two Step Falls in Tettegouche State Park.

This is a smaller waterfall along the Baptism River that can be found via a walk down a staircase of 200 stairs!

As I mentioned this waterfall is quite a bit smaller, but that also means that most people skip it and go straight to High Falls, which I actually don’t recommend!

I always make the stop at Two Step Falls to escape some of the crowds, have some peace and quiet at this hidden waterfall and get to see something completely different!

8. Illgen Falls

Illgen Falls is another hidden waterfall on the North Shore, found just a short trip up the river from High Falls in Tettegouche State Park!

It’s a 40 foot waterfall along the Baptism River, but you’ll actually have to reach it from Highway 61, since it’s not accessible from the park’s trails.

Because it’s a bit more inconvienient to get to, you won’t find as many people here which is what I love about it.

Illgen Falls has a pretty similar look to High Falls, but is just a bit smaller. You can either take the short trail to the top or the base of the falls, so you can check it out in a few different ways!

9. Fifth Falls

While you’re in Gooseberry Falls State Park, you might be wondering how to escape the crowds. I will always recommend Fifth Falls for this!

Tyler and I love visiting Fifth Falls because it’s only about a 3 mile roundtrip hike, but it takes you far away from the crowds and you’ll still get to see a beautiful waterfall.

Although it is shorter than the main falls, the best part, is that you’ll actually hike past the main falls on your way to Fifth Falls!

The trail leads you along the Gooseberry River in a loop, and you’ll pass Upper, Middle, and Lower Gooseberry Falls as well as find yourself at an upper viewpoint of the falls which is pretty spectacular.

10. Jay Cooke State Park Falls

Before you even head up the North Shore, you’ll probably make a stop or two around Duluth, and I highly recommend checking out Jay Cooke State Park!

This smaller state park has a set of cascading waterfalls that are really beautiful, and the park is rarely crowded!

Tyler and I first visited Jay Cooke on our 3 year anniversary and we loved it so much! There’s a swinging bridge that you can stand on and see the unique rock formations and the cascading waterfalls that drop over them.

The falls are quite different than other ones in the area, but are well worth the stop!

11. Barrier Falls

If you’re really looking for a hidden gem and a way to escape the crowds, then visiting Barrier Falls might be just what you need.

Found on the Devil Track River, this waterfall is tucked way back in the forest and can really only be reached one of two ways.

During the summer, you’ll need to canyoneer through the river, which is dangerous, difficult, and should not be attempted by anyone who is not trained in this specifically.

In the winter months, visiting the waterfall becomes a bit easier as you can cross country ski or snowshoe out to the waterfall for a great North Shore winter activity.

However, it’s very important to remember that you will be walking on ice and you need to check ice conditions before you embark on this trip to stay safe. Check with local outfitters or guides and always listen to them and your gut.

12. Split Rock Falls

Most people visit Split Rock Lighthouse State Park for the lighthouse, but if you’re like me, you like to go off the beaten path a bit and will love to visit this waterfall.

Split Rock Falls is found in the park along the Superior Hiking Trail. It’s a smaller waterfall, coming in at around a 20 foot drop, but it’s stunningly tucked back in a cove of greenery and rocky outcrops.

Luckily, the hike is actually pretty short, only about 1 mile roundtrip, so you can easily reach these falls and pair it with whatever other activities you have planned in the park, whether that be finding a great camping spot or seeing the lighthouse.

13. Cascade Falls

My last waterfall on this list is Cascade Falls, which can be found in Cascade River State Park.

There are a lot of areas in this park that resemble waterfalls as the powerful water crashes its way through the gorges and rock walls to Lake Superior.

But to see the real Cascade Falls, you’ll take about a 1 mile roundtrip hike from the SHT trailhead parking lot off of Highway 61 until you reach the falls.

It’s called the Cascade River Lower Loop and you’ll get to see the series of waterfalls that are along the trail as well as Cascade Falls.

Fewer people visit here, especially since it’s so close to Tettegouche and Gooseberry Falls. But I love these smaller waterfalls, and I know that you will too!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Highest Waterfall on the North Shore?

The tallest waterfall on Minnesota’s North Shore is High Falls of the Baptism River in Tettegouche State Park.

How Many Waterfalls Are on the North Shore of Minnesota?

There are about 20 accounted for waterfalls, but there could definitley be more that are yet to be discovered!

What is the Tallest Waterfall in Minnesota?

The tallest waterfall in the state of Minnesota is High Falls of the Baptism River in Tettegouche State Park.

How Many Waterfalls Are in Tettegouche State Park?

There are 4 waterfalls in Tettegouche State Park, although there could be more undiscovered ones as well.

Conclusion: North Shore, MN Waterfalls

If you’re looking for some fun waterfalls to check out while you’re visiting the North Shore, there are so many incredible spots to see.

My favorites are Illgen, Beaver River, and Fifth Falls, but with options that are both popular and hidden, you’ll have a packed day of adventure exploring the North Shore’s waterfalls!