The North Shore is one of the top road trip destinations in Minnesota. This relaxing trip winds its way along the Lake Superior Shore. And Gooseberry Falls State Park is the most amazing stop along this road trip! Our Gooseberry Falls Guide will help you in planning your trip to this amazing state park.
Gooseberry Falls State Park is a marvel. It is filled with five waterfalls, a stunning beach, plentiful hiking trails and woods filled with wildlife. This easily makes it as a top destination along the North Shore. Combine this with the easy access to the park along Highway 61 and the paved pathways that make hiking through the park accessible and this park becomes a must see. This Gooseberry Falls guide will help you fill a full day of your time at the park.
When to Visit
The most popular time to visit Gooseberry Falls state Park is in the summer when warm weather allows you to play in the waterfalls and on the beach. However, the colors that you will experience during a fall hike are amazing. Spring is our favorite time to visit the waterfalls. You’ll see smaller crowds and the best waterfalls of the year. Winter can be a unique time to visit the falls as well as you’ll see interesting ice shapes take form. Really, Gooseberry Falls is a great day trip year round.
Getting There and Around
The most obvious way to arrive at Gooseberry Falls State Park is to drive the North Shore road trip fully. Check out our full three day itinerary here! If you would like to head directly to Gooseberry Falls State Park, the park is located about 1 hour north of Duluth.
Top Things to Do
Gooseberry Falls
Visiting the falls are what brings a majority of visitors to the park. Even if you only have an hour, you can easily visit the Upper, Middle and Lower Falls. These falls are easily accessible via paved trails and well-kept bridges.
If you are feeling more adventurous, you can wander about the falls, playing in the water and climbing on the rocks. You’ll see lots of people doing this during the summer months. So if you are interested in photos of the falls, I would recommend getting there early or late in the day when there will be less people playing in the water.
Fifth Falls
Next, you can hike the Fifth Falls Trail to Fifth Falls waterfall. Admittedly, I’ve never really figured out where the fourth falls are. This short trail will take about 1 hour to hike and will bring you along both sides of the river. Fifth Falls is much smaller than the main set of falls but is worth the easy hike.
Agate Beach
To get to the beach, you can hike the Gitchi Gummi Trail loop to Agate Beach. Here you’ll find stunning views of Lake Superior and have a chance to walk the beach. While on the beach, look for the smooth Lake Superior agates that this beach gets its name for. If it’s warm enough, you can also take a swim. However, if you’ve never been swimming in Lake Superior before, know that these are some of the coldest waters in the US.
Picnic Flow
For a picnic lunch, there is no better spot than the Picnic Flow. Take the River View Trail from the main falls to work up your appetite. This hiking trail will bring you along the Gooseberry River as it opens up onto Lake Superior. Once you reach the Picnic Flow area, you’ll see some interesting rock formations from an ancient lava flow. These basalt rocks made a flat open area great for your picnic.
Visitor’s Center
Explore the visitor’s center and learn about the great Lake Superior. You’ll also find history of the state parks here.
CCC History
You’ll find evidence of the Civilian Conservation Corps hard at work here in the park. They’ve even left behind some old structures that you can hike to see as well as some CCC dedicated sculptures.
Go Birding
You’ll find hundreds of bird species here. Bring your binoculars and hope to see some migratory birds!
Off Season Activities
If you’re visiting in the winter, make sure to take advantage of the cross country skiing or the snowshoeing that you can do on the maintained trails in the winter.
What to Budget
Gooseberry Falls State Park charges a $7/vehicle admission. You can also get a year long pass for all Minnesota State Parks for $35 for the full calendar year.
Other than admission, a trip to Gooseberry Falls does not cost anything else. We love to pack a picnic for lunch made up of food picked up on the way. Grab some smoked fish, cheese and pie for a local picnic.
To see a budget for a full North Shore road trip in addition to this Gooseberry Falls guide, check out our North Shore post here.
Camping
The campgrounds in Gooseberry Falls State Park are maintained seasonally. There are numerous sites available only a short walk from the Lake. These sites offer full amenities seasonally as well, including fire pits, showers and toilets. You will need a reservation in order to get a campsite at this busy park. Sites are nicely sheltered in the woods from the cold lake breeze.
Whatever you choose to do, you’re sure to enjoy your time at Gooseberry Falls. If you’d like to explore more of the North Shore, check out our post here.
