Chasing Waterfalls In and Around Duluth

Lester Park Waterfalls

Trail Info: Hike along Amity Creek and Lester River to multiple cascades.

Parking: Lester Park parking lot just off Lester River Road.

Lester River runs through the east side of Duluth, cutting through the rocky landscape to create small waterfalls and cascades. The trails here wind through the woods, making for a peaceful stroll. Enjoy a scenic drive along Seven Bridges Road and visit the Lester River mouth near Brighton Beach where it flows into Lake Superior. Check out the Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory for a scenic overlook.

Bonus: In the spring, keep an eye out for whitewater rafters paddling the rivers. In the fall, the golden leaves reflecting on the water are unreal.

Did You Know? Lester Park is home to a secret rock-skipping beach where locals hunt for Lake Superior agates!

Photo By: Visit Duluth.

Tischer Creek Falls

Trail Info: A short, scenic walk through a volcanic rock gorge.

Parking: Street parking near Congdon Park on Superior Street, across from Congdon Elementary School.

Tucked away in Congdon Park, Tischer Creek Falls feels like a fairytale escape, with red volcanic rock walls and wooden bridges. This hidden gem is right in town but feels miles away from city life. Visit Glensheen Mansion or hop on the North Shore Scenic Railroad afterwards.

Special Note: The trail offers both creekside views and elevated paths — so whether you like to get up close or admire from above, you’ve got options.

Safety Tip: Please note that as of June 2024, the trail is closed indefinitely.

Photo By: Plain Adventure/Flickr.

Chester Park Falls

Trail Info: A 2.5-mile hiking loop with small but beautiful waterfalls.

Parking: Main parking lot off Skyline Parkway or at the bottom of the park near 14th Ave E. and 4th St.

Chester Creek winds through a scenic ravine, dropping over several small waterfalls on its way to Lake Superior. The trails here are perfect for a casual hike, and in the summer, you might catch live music at Chester Bowl, where you can find the Chester Bowl Playground.

Local Secret: After your hike, grab a bite at Burrito Union — an iconic Duluth spot just down the road.

Photo By: Christopher Paris.

Miller Creek Falls

Trail Info: 1.5-mile walking trail with a peaceful waterfall.

Parking: Lincoln Park parking area at 25th Ave. W. and 5th St.

Miller Creek tumbles through Lincoln Park, creating beautiful cascades surrounded by rugged terrain. This spot is great for a quick nature break without leaving the city. Visit the Lincoln Park Craft District afterwards for coffee, beer, and shopping.

Fun Fact: This is one of the least crowded waterfalls in town, making it a peaceful escape even on busy weekends.

Photo By: Amy Peterson.

Kingsbury Creek Falls

Trail Info: A short hike behind the zoo leads to Kingsbury Creek falls, or see it from the zoo.

Parking: Lake Superior Zoo parking lot (admission required for access) or use the Waseca Street trailhead.

Nestled behind the Lake Superior Zoo, this waterfall is easy to miss but worth seeking out. The creek flows through Fairmont Park, offering great rock-hopping opportunities when water levels are low. Stop by the Spirit Mountain Adventure Park after your trip to the zoo.

Adventure Tip: If you’re up for a challenge, follow Kingsbury Creek upstream — hidden waterfalls and rock formations await!

Photo By: Gregory Israelson/Destination Duluth.

Jay Cooke State Park

Travel Time: 20 minutes south of Duluth.

Trail Info: Hike from the Swinging Bridge to see the dramatic St. Louis River rapids.

Parking: Free at the River Inn Visitor Area.

About 20 miles south of Duluth, Jay Cooke State Park is home to a stretch of the St. Louis River that churns over jagged slate rock, creating dramatic cascades. Walk the Swinging Bridge for the best views. Watch whitewater kayakers tackle the falls and rapids. As a quick detour off of I-35, it’s a great spot to stop if you’re coming to (or heading home from) Duluth from the south.

Nearby Stops: Oldenburg Point scenic overlook, Carlton bike trails.

Photo By: nikrowell/Flickr.

Amnicon Falls State Park

Travel Time: 30 minutes south of Duluth.

Trail Info: A network of short, easy trails loops around multiple waterfalls.

Parking: Free with a Wisconsin State Parks pass or daily admission, available at the self-pay station near the entrance.

Unlike North Shore waterfalls that dramatically plunge into gorges, Amnicon Falls cascades over ancient rock in smooth, layered drops. In the summer, you might see visitors wading into the shallow pools below the falls — use caution, rocks can be slippery! The covered footbridge over the Amnicon River offers one of the best views in the park.

Grab a Bite: Enjoy a burger at the Anchor Bar and Grill in Superior on your way back to Duluth.

Photo By: turn_off_your_computer_and_go_outside/Flickr.

Gooseberry Falls State Park

Travel Time: 45 minutes north of Duluth.

Trail Info: Paved and dirt trails to multiple waterfalls.

Parking: Gooseberry Falls State Park Visitor Center.

A showstopper of North Shore waterfalls, Gooseberry Falls is a multi-tiered wonder. The trails are easy, the views are unbeatable, and in summer, you’ll find kids (and adults) splashing in the lower falls. Bonus: Stop by the Split Rock Lighthouse for an additional waterfall.

Pro Tip: Take the extra mile hike to Fifth Falls for a quieter experience.

Photo By: Joe Ennesser/Flickr.

High Falls of the Baptism River

Travel Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes north of Duluth.

Trail Info: 3 miles round-trip to Minnesota’s highest inland waterfall.

Parking: Tettegouche State Park Visitor Center.

At 70 feet, this is the highest waterfall entirely within Minnesota. The hike is a moderate 1.5 miles, with stunning views along the way. Visit the mouth of the Baptism River or stop by the iconic Black Beach and play mini-golf in Silver Bay after.

Don’t Miss: If you’ve got time, Two Step Falls along the same trail is another stunner.

Photo By: Brady Knoll.

Caribou Falls State Wayside

Travel Time: 1 hour, 20 minutes north of Duluth.

Trail Info: A short, well-maintained hike leads to a stunning 40-ft waterfall.

Parking: Caribou Falls State Wayside.

Caribou Falls has a wide, smooth drop that looks like a natural amphitheater. A wooden staircase descends to the base of the falls, offering a fantastic up-close view. In summer, the pool at the base is a popular spot to dip your feet and cool off! Be sure to wear open toed sandals to enjoy!

Local Favorite: Visit nearby Sugarloaf Cove for unique shoreline geology.

Photo By: Josh Hild.

Temperance River State Park

Travel Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes north of Duluth.

Trail Info: A dramatic series of waterfalls cut into a narrow canyon, with easy access.

Parking: Temperance River State Park wayside.

A short but dramatic hike along the Temperance River leads to Hidden Falls, where the water has carved a deep, twisting slot canyon through ancient rock. The trail follows the river past multiple viewpoints, offering glimpses of the churning rapids before the water rushes toward Lake Superior.

Local Highlight: These “Hidden Falls” are tucked into the gorge. Stand at the edge and listen — you’ll hear the roar of the water long before you see it!

Photo By: Seclusive Nature/Flickr.

Cascade River State Park

Travel Time: 1 hour, 50 minutes north of Duluth.

Trail Info: A series of waterfalls along a rugged river gorge, accessible via a 1-mile loop.

Parking: Cascade River State Park lot.

True to its name, the Cascade River drops over multiple waterfalls as it rushes toward Lake Superior. A short hike offers stunning views of the series of falls. Grab a bite to eat at the Cascade Restaurant and Pub, a local favorite since 1947.

Nearby Stops: Grand Marais is a perfect post-hike town for coffee and donuts.

Photo By: turn_off_your_computer_and_go_outside/Flickr.

Devil’s Kettle

Travel Time: 2 hours, 15 minutes north of Duluth.

Trail Info: A leisurely trail offers scenic picnic spots while checking out a North Shore mystery.

Parking: Judge C.R. Magney State Park parking lot.

One of the North Shore’s greatest mysteries — half the Brule River disappears into a hole, and no one really knows where it goes! (Scientists solved this mystery back in 2017, but we like to believe it’s a portal to another dimension.)

Local Lore: People have thrown in logs, dye, and even ping pong balls to track the water’s path—none have ever been found!

Photo By: Captain Tenneal/Flickr.

High Falls of the Pigeon River

Travel Time: 2 hours, 45 minutes north of Duluth.

Trail Info: Easy, wheelchair-accessible trail to Minnesota’s tallest waterfall.

Parking: Grand Portage State Park Visitor Center or cross into Canada, continue on Highway 593, and park along the road.

This is the tallest waterfall in Minnesota at 120 feet, right on the Canadian border. The easy, wheelchair-accessible trail makes this an amazing stop for all ages. You can access the falls from Canada using the Pigeon River Provincial Park, which offers a different viewpoint of the falls — don’t forget to bring your passport!

Photo Tip: Visit in the morning for the best lighting and a chance to see misty rainbows over the falls.

Photo By: Sean Marshall/Flickr.