Waterfalls of Gooseberry Falls State Park

While talking to some other visitors to Duluth during our August 2017 trip to national parks in Minnesota and the Dakotas, we were told about Gooseberry Falls State Park located less than an hour up the coast of Lake Superior from Duluth. Three waterfalls allow the river to descend about 110 feet in a distance of about 1000 feet. The Upper Falls is northwest of Minnesota Highway 61 at a point where the river turns about 90 degrees. The Middle and Lower Falls are southeast of the road.

With nice weather and an unexpected half-day of available time, I headed northeast on MN-61 along the North Shore beyond the town of Two Harbors and two tunnels to the park. While the paved parking area is quite large, it quickly fills up during the summer and on weekends.

Two paved paths lead from the parking area to the visitor center. Due to the limited time available, I skipped the visitor center and kept walking on the paved trail network to see each of the three waterfalls on the Gooseberry River. I did use the stairs in several locations instead of the accessible path to maximize my time at the river. The falls are typically at their peak during the spring runoff. By late summer, the flows are reduced enough to allow visitors to explore much of the riverbed below the Middle and Lower Falls. Below the falls, the river flows another ¾ mile before emptying into Lake Superior.

Paved path from the parking area to the visitor center

Visitor Center

Minnesota Highway 61 bridge over Gooseberry River

Under the bridge

Upper Falls

A closer view of Upper Falls

Frontal view of Upper Falls

Middle Falls from the trail overlook

Middle Falls from the river

Minimal flow on the other half of Middle Falls

Lower Falls

A closer view of Lower Falls

Rock window

Entry to Minnesota State Parks requires a $7 daily vehicle fee or $35 for a year-round windshield sticker. However, parking at the rest area is free and encouraged according to the ranger I contacted. The fee is required to enter the campground area.

The park website is http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/gooseberry_falls/index.html.