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Top Minnesota state parks with waterfalls – ranked!
Upper Falls at Gooseberry Falls State Park
When people learn I’ve hiked all Minnesota state parks, the first question they ask me is which one is my favorite. My answer: it depends. Depends on if you’re looking for Minnesota state parks with the best hiking trails, best views, best lakes, best camping, best fishing, or the best waterfalls. So this post focuses on the latter: The best Minnesota state parks with the most beautiful waterfalls – ranked!
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Are you wondering which Minnesota state parks have waterfalls? And which have the best? Here is my ranked list of the top 11 state parks with waterfalls and cascades in Minnesota.
Location: You’ll find the tallest waterfall in Minnesota – the 120-foot High Falls – at Grand Portage State Park, 9393 East Highway 61 in Grand Portage. This most northern Minnesota state park on the North Shore that borders Canada and sits within the Grand Portage Tribal Lands also features the 20-foot Middle Falls.
Minneopa Falls at Minneopa State Parkfeatures a two-tier waterfall – 10 feet and 39 feet.
Location: Minneopa Falls is located at 54497 Gadwall Road at Minneopa State Park in Mankato, Minn. Here you’ll find a two-tier waterfall – easy accessible from the parking lot.
Tettegouche State Park; Silver Bay, Minn.
High Falls at Tettegouche State Park
Location: Minnesota’s other waterfall named High Falls is located at Tettegouche State Park at 5702 MN-61, Silver Bay, MN 55614. You’ll find three other waterfalls at Tettegouche State Park: Two Step Falls, Cascade Falls, and Illgen Falls.
Illgen Falls at Tettegouche State Park in Silver Bay, Minn.
Judge C.R. Magney State Park; Grand Marais, Minn.
Devil’s Kettle waterfall at Judge C.R. Magney State Park– be prepared for a cardio workout with ~175 steps.
Judge C.R. Magney State Park in Minnesota also features Upper Falls – a beautiful waterfall on the way to Devil’s Kettle. Upper Falls at Judge C.R. Magney State Park
Temperance River State Park; Schroeder, Minn.
Temperance River cascades at Temperance River State Park– on the Lake Superior side of the park.
Cascade River State Park offers gorgeous views of Cascade Falls as well as several cascades throughout the park as the Cascade River makes its 120-foot path to Lake Superior.
Location: Cascade River State Park trailhead is located at 3481 West Highway 61 in Lutsen, Minn. near mile marker 100.
Jay Cooke State Park; Carlton, Minn.
Cascades at Jay Cooke State Park – you’ll find these along the shores of the St. Louis River shoreline as well as the swinging bridge.
Location: Jay Cooke State Park is located south of Duluth at 780 MN-210 in Carlton, Minn.
Banning State Park; Sandstone, Minn.
Wolf Creek Falls at Banning State Park– a stunning remote waterfall in Minnesota.
Location: Banning State Park is located at 61101 Banning Park Rd, Sandstone, MN 55072. You’ll find a second waterfall, Big Spring Falls, in another section of Banning State Park right in Sandstone. Take Highway 123 to Pine Avenue South for about a mile to the trailhead.
George Crosby Manitou State Park; Finland / Silver Bay, Minn.
George H. Crosby Manitou State Park offers a beautiful waterfall – only about a mile trek, but it’s a bit challenging (even more so in the winter when chasing frozen waterfalls).
Hidden Falls at Nerstrand Big Woods State Parkis very popular with families. Most people would probably rank this waterfall higher; however, I have found it to always be overwhelmingly crowded so that’s why it ranks last on my list. However, don’t let that deter you. It is less busy during the work week and you’ll most likely have it to yourself in the winter.
Location: Hidden Falls is located at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park, 9700 170th Street E., Nerstrand, Minn.
List of all Minnesota state parks with waterfalls and cascades
Here is a list of the Minnesota state parks with waterfalls and/or beautiful cascades/rapids in alphabetical order.
Twin Cities-based blogger sharing memorable emptynester, solo, family and girlfriend-getaway adventures, as well as my day hiking adventures (including all 66 Minnesota state parks), latest book reviews, and updates on my quest for the best adult mac and cheese.
Also two WIPs: historical fiction and psychological thriller
48 comments
So many great waterfalls in Minnesota state parks! Gooseberry Falls looks very unique!
That’s so amazing that you’ve been to every state park in Minnesota! I love all the waterfall pictures. I’d want to visit them all; I don’t know how I’d choose!
We adore waterfalls so really enjoyed this post. They are all delightful but Gooseberry Falls, High Falls at Grand Portage State Park and the Temperance River cascades are fantastic. Are you allowed to swim in the rivers by the waterfalls?
So happy to hear that. I love waterfalls also. Gooseberry Falls, High Falls at Grand Portage State Park and the Temperance River cascades are pretty amazing. It’s not typically recommended to swim in the rivers near most of the waterfalls as the current is very fast – and depends on the season and water level.
These waterfalls are all so beautiful and unique. I think it would be impossible to choose a favorite! Hidden Falls at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park looks so peaceful, so that’s a bummer to hear it’s usually crowded with tourists. I’d definitely want to try checking it out during the work week.
I had no idea there were that many amazing waterfalls in Minnesota! The Gooseberry one looks fabulous. Reminds me of a place in Europe. I need to go to Minnesota again!
I hope you get to visit Minnesota again. And highly recommend explore our state parks – especially the ones with hiking trails that lead to waterfalls. Gooseberry Falls is especially beautiful!
I love a waterfall hike and you have so many options! Patti and I stopped at Jay Cooke SP on our way to Bayfield a couple of years ago and it was so pretty. Great list, I’m pinning for later!
I love waterfall hikes also. Jay Cooke State Park is so beautiful with all the cascades. I hope you get the opportunity to visit more Minnesota state parks with waterfalls.
Pretty impressive visiting so many in such a big state. Which waterfall is your favorite? Based on your photos mine are the Gooseberry Falls but the Temperance River Cascades are very scenic with the bridge!
I typically recommend Gooseberry Falls if people are visiting the North Shore of Minnesota as this state park features four waterfalls – and super easy hike for three of them. My husband loves Temperance River, and I’m also a huge fan of Minneopa State Park’s two-tiered waterfall and Minnesota’s tallest waterfall at Grand Portage State Park. But love all of them.
All of these Minnesota State Parks with waterfalls are absolutely stunning! I’d love to visit Minnesota soon to see these all in person! Thank you for putting together such a great list!
I didn’t realize MN had so many waterfalls! Each of these state parks looks so lovely. Waterfalls hikes are one of my favorite things to do, so I’d love to check out some of these!
I love visiting natural parks and I have a big passion for picturesque waterfalls! It seems that Minnesota has a lot to offer on this! thanks for sharing this list!
We love hiking when the reward is a great waterfall sight. So great that the Minnesota state parks have so many to see. I love the multiple falls like at Gooseberry Falls and at Jay Cooke State Park. The veil of water at Nerstrand Big Woods looks so interesting. All great reasons to visit Minnesota and plan many hikes.
So many great waterfalls in Minnesota state parks! Gooseberry Falls looks very unique!
Gooseberry Falls is the most popular state park in Minnesota. The four waterfalls is a big draw – as is the easy hike to see three of them.
There are some great state parks in Minnesota with waterfalls. I would love to visit!
Thanks! I highly recommend all the Minnesota state parks with waterfalls – so beautiful!
This is such a great list of Waterfalls within State Parks in MN! What a wonderful way to explore this beautiful state!
Thank you so much! I love exploring Minnesota state parks – especially the ones with hiking trails that lead to waterfalls.
I love to visit State Parks & these top Minnesota State Parks look like keepers! The waterfalls are an added benefit 😊
I’m a huge fan of Minnesota’s state parks. And the waterfalls are definitely a bonus!
That’s so amazing that you’ve been to every state park in Minnesota! I love all the waterfall pictures. I’d want to visit them all; I don’t know how I’d choose!
Thank you! I was feeling pretty accomplished after hiking every Minnesota stat park. The ones with the waterfalls are pretty special.
I’ve been to Minnesota but I’ve not visited any of the state parks. I’d love to remedy that and see these waterfalls!
I know you would love Minnesota’s state parks. They’re so beautiful – especially the ones with waterfalls.
We love hiking to waterfalls. We have not been to any Minnesota state parks waterfalls yet, but looking forward to in the near future.
Awesome! I hope you get the opportunity to hike some of the my favorite Minnesota state parks with waterfalls.
We adore waterfalls so really enjoyed this post. They are all delightful but Gooseberry Falls, High Falls at Grand Portage State Park and the Temperance River cascades are fantastic. Are you allowed to swim in the rivers by the waterfalls?
So happy to hear that. I love waterfalls also. Gooseberry Falls, High Falls at Grand Portage State Park and the Temperance River cascades are pretty amazing. It’s not typically recommended to swim in the rivers near most of the waterfalls as the current is very fast – and depends on the season and water level.
I love going on hikes with waterfalls. I think I would really enjoy these during the fall time with all the beautiful colours.
Fall is a great time to chase waterfalls in Minnesota. So beautiful!
They are all beautiful. But the picture of High Falls definitely sets it apart for me. Gorgeous.
Thank you! I love all the beautiful waterfalls in Minnesota state parks. High Falls at Grand Portage State Park is pretty powerful and magical.
These waterfalls are all so beautiful and unique. I think it would be impossible to choose a favorite! Hidden Falls at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park looks so peaceful, so that’s a bummer to hear it’s usually crowded with tourists. I’d definitely want to try checking it out during the work week.
Thank you! Love all the scenic hiking trails that lead to waterfalls. Hidden Falls at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park is very popular and pretty.
These look absolutely stunning! I would love to visit Minnesota one day so thank you for such a great breakdown of the top state parks.
You’re welcome and my pleasure! Love sharing what I discover while hiking Minnesota state parks especially ones with waterfalls.
I had no idea there were that many amazing waterfalls in Minnesota! The Gooseberry one looks fabulous. Reminds me of a place in Europe. I need to go to Minnesota again!
I hope you get to visit Minnesota again. And highly recommend explore our state parks – especially the ones with hiking trails that lead to waterfalls. Gooseberry Falls is especially beautiful!
I love a waterfall hike and you have so many options! Patti and I stopped at Jay Cooke SP on our way to Bayfield a couple of years ago and it was so pretty. Great list, I’m pinning for later!
I love waterfall hikes also. Jay Cooke State Park is so beautiful with all the cascades. I hope you get the opportunity to visit more Minnesota state parks with waterfalls.
Pretty impressive visiting so many in such a big state. Which waterfall is your favorite? Based on your photos mine are the Gooseberry Falls but the Temperance River Cascades are very scenic with the bridge!
I typically recommend Gooseberry Falls if people are visiting the North Shore of Minnesota as this state park features four waterfalls – and super easy hike for three of them. My husband loves Temperance River, and I’m also a huge fan of Minneopa State Park’s two-tiered waterfall and Minnesota’s tallest waterfall at Grand Portage State Park. But love all of them.
All of these Minnesota State Parks with waterfalls are absolutely stunning! I’d love to visit Minnesota soon to see these all in person! Thank you for putting together such a great list!
You’re welcome and my pleasure. I hope you get the opportunity to hike and explore the beautiful Minnesota state parks with waterfalls.
I didn’t realize MN had so many waterfalls! Each of these state parks looks so lovely. Waterfalls hikes are one of my favorite things to do, so I’d love to check out some of these!
I love waterfall hikes also. So many beautiful waterfalls in Minnesota state parks.
I love visiting natural parks and I have a big passion for picturesque waterfalls! It seems that Minnesota has a lot to offer on this! thanks for sharing this list!
You’re welcome and my pleasure. So many picturesque waterfalls in Minnesota state parks.
We love hiking when the reward is a great waterfall sight. So great that the Minnesota state parks have so many to see. I love the multiple falls like at Gooseberry Falls and at Jay Cooke State Park. The veil of water at Nerstrand Big Woods looks so interesting. All great reasons to visit Minnesota and plan many hikes.
Waterfall hikes are a beautiful reward. I love all the ones you mentioned…so many beautiful waterfalls in Minnesota state parks.
I love a good waterfall. I didn’t realize there were so many in Minnesota. Need to plan a visit and see these beautiful waterfalls!
I hope you get the opportunity. So many beautiful waterfall hikes in Minnesota state parks.
So many of these look so pretty, but I think the MN state park waterfall I’d start with would be Grand Portage State Park.
Starting with High Falls at Grand Portage State Park is perfect. It’s the most northern Minnesota state park.
There are so many great waterfalls in Minnesota. The waters are definitely running fast there.
We do have some pretty powerful waterfalls in Minnesota state parks. So beautiful!
We love finding and exploring new state parks. These Minnesota State Parks look incredible, we will be putting one or two of these on our list.
Awesome! I hope you enjoy hiking and exploring the best Minnesota state parks with waterfalls.
I can’t wait to visit some of these waterfalls the next time I visit Minnesota! Gorgeous photos!!!
I hope you get the opportunity! So many beautiful Minnesota state parks with waterfalls!