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Gooseberry Falls State Park

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Gooseberry Falls is the gateway to the North Shore. It is known for its spectacular waterfalls, river gorge, Lake Superior shoreline, Civilian Conservation Corps log and stone structures, and north woods wildlife.

Listen to the thunderous roar of the Upper, Middle and Lower Falls of the Gooseberry River as it plummets through a rocky gorge. Watch for waves, ships, or the moon rise on Lake Superior from an ancient lava flow known as the Picnic Flow.

Hike or ski to see the Fifth Falls through a forest of evergreens, aspen, and birch, and enjoy camping in modern campsites, picnicking, and relaxing along the Lake Superior shoreline or the Gooseberry River.

To get the most out of your visit, stop by the Joseph N. Alexander Visitor Center where you can find park information, interpretive displays, a park video, Nature Store, and more. Don't miss the Gateway Plaza for outdoor interpretive signs on area resources and history.

Tell me more about this park's wildlife, history, geology and landscape.


Visitor Alert!

Construction Alert

This spring, the paved trail from the Visitor Center to the Middle Falls area will be improved. Depending on weather conditions, work will hopefully be completed before Memorial Day weekend. During this project, a route to the falls will be maintained, but it will not be fully accessible (you will need to use stairs). We're sorry for this inconvenience, but please plan accordingly.

PlayCleanGo Day

Saturday, June 8, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Join us at the visitor center and learn how you can help prevent the spread of terrestrial invasive species and protect our beautiful Minnesota natural resources.

Park Notes

Learn More about the Park:

Self-guided tour: Ideal for group outings, but also fun for families and any visitor to the park. (Information includes photos.)

Virtual Tour:

Take a virtual tour. It's a great tool to help you plan your next trip to the park!
Panoramic tour | Snapshot tour

Gift Cards:

Purchase a Minnesota State Parks Gift Card.

Gitchi-Gami State Trail Access:

The 2.5 mile segment of the Gitchi-Gami State Trail that runs through the park is now paved and ready for use - it's great for biking! The trail connects our lower picnic area to the rest of the Gitchi-Gami State Trail along Highway 61, so there is now continuous paved trail from Gooseberry to the town of Beaver Bay, with access to the Gooseberry Visitor Center, campground and the shores of Lake Superior.

Parking is available at our lower picnic area lot, which is adjacent to the trailhead. Due to frequent high levels of traffic, parking for longer than two hours is not always available at our visitor center lots.

Firewood Restrictions Information:

Minnesota has enacted legislation that restricts firewood being brought to or used on DNR lands. Learn more and review vendor lists.

Birders:

Bird Checklist This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it. at Gooseberry Falls State Park.

Park Highlights

tree Scenic Waterfalls/Lake Superior Shoreline

tree Visitor Center/Nature Store

tree Historic CCC Log & Stone Structures

tree Year-Round Naturalist

tree Multi-Use/Accessible Trails

tree Gateway Plaza


Events

view a printable version

Find more State Park events on the DNR Events Calendar!

05/24/13 - 09/01/13

Gooseberry Falls State Park

Afternoon Nature Cart

05/24/13 - 09/01/13

Gooseberry Falls State Park

Mid-Morning Nature Cart

05/24/13

Gooseberry Falls State Park

Night Hike

05/25/13

Gooseberry Falls State Park

Accessible Wildflower & Falls Overlook Stroll

05/26/13

Gooseberry Falls State Park

Capturing the Great Outdoors: Nature Photography 101

05/26/13

Gooseberry Falls State Park

Wildflower Walk

05/26/13

Gooseberry Falls State Park

Mystery Nature Cart

05/26/13

Gooseberry Falls State Park

CANCELED: Bird Walk with Larry Weber

05/26/13

Gooseberry Falls State Park

Bats Bad Rap

05/27/13

Gooseberry Falls State Park

Forces of Fire and Ice: The Geology of Gooseberry Falls

06/01/13

Gooseberry Falls State Park

Take Only Pictures Scavenger Hunt

06/02/13

Gooseberry Falls State Park

Year of the Black Bear

06/06/13

Gooseberry Falls State Park

Gitchi Gumi

06/07/13

Gooseberry Falls State Park

Waterfall and Nature Photography

06/07/13

Gooseberry Falls State Park

Earthworks: Land Art

06/08/13

Gooseberry Falls State Park

National Get Outdoors Day: Beach Bocce Ball

06/08/13

Gooseberry Falls State Park

PlayCleanGo Day

06/08/13

Gooseberry Falls State Park

National Get Outdoors Day: Waterfall Hike

06/08/13

Gooseberry Falls State Park

Short Talk

06/08/13

Gooseberry Falls State Park

Hooowwwl!!! The Wood Wolves of Minnesota!

06/15/13

Gooseberry Falls State Park

What's Bloomin' Wildflower Hike

06/28/13

Gooseberry Falls State Park

Living the Dream: The Story of Life in the Civilian Conservation Corps


Hours

Best time to contact the park:

Daily, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Contact

3206 Highway 61 East
Two Harbors, MN 55616

tel: 218-834-3855

fax: 218-834-3787

email: gooseberryfalls.statepark@state.mn.us

Getting There

From the town of Two Harbors, follow State Highway 61 northeast approximately 13 miles to the park.