A series of waterfalls — Upper, Middle, and Lower Falls — on the Gooseberry River where it meets Lake Superior, in one of Minnesota's most-visited state parks.
Gooseberry Falls State Park, on Minnesota's North Shore about 13 miles northeast of Two Harbors, protects a series of drops on the Gooseberry River — Upper, Middle, and Lower Falls — just before the river reaches Lake Superior. The Minnesota DNR designates it one of the state's 'destination parks' and offers an ADA-accessible Waterfalls Walk to Middle and Upper Falls (about 30-40 minutes) as well as a longer Falls View Loop reaching all three falls in roughly 45-90 minutes, both starting near the visitor center.
A Minnesota State Park vehicle permit is required to enter the lakeshore and picnic-area sections of the park, though the DNR notes permits are not required for the adjacent highway rest-area parking. Day-use hours run 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and modern restrooms and running water are generally available from mid-May to early October, with vault toilets available year-round. The DNR also notes lakeside temperatures run roughly 10°F cooler than inland areas in spring and summer, so dress for wind off Lake Superior. Check the park's official page for current trail conditions before visiting.
Know before you go
3206 Highway 61, Two Harbors, MN; visitor center with trails to Upper, Middle, and Lower Falls.
Day-use hours 8am-10pm; modern restrooms/water roughly mid-May to early October, vault toilets year-round.
Waterfalls Walk (ADA accessible, about 30-40 min, Middle/Upper Falls) or Falls View Loop (about 45-90 min, all three falls).
Minnesota State Park vehicle permit required for lakeshore/picnic areas; not required for highway rest-area parking.
Waterfalls Walk is ADA accessible (a non-ADA stairs option also exists) per the DNR.
2026-10-11. Conditions and requirements can change; confirm with the land manager before travelling.
Sources & further reading
- Minnesota DNR — Gooseberry Falls State Park, Self-guided tour ↗
- Minnesota DNR — Gooseberry Falls State Park ↗
- USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) ↗
This is a researched visitor guide, not a claim that our editors have personally visited. Trail conditions, permits, and access can change.
