Minnesota really does their state parks correctly - they sometimes double as rest stops for weary travelers. It's totally a win-win. The rest stop area of the state park visitor center was very nice. Picture windows let the outside sunlight in. Vending machines were well stocked, and the washrooms were spacious and clean. The visitor center was large, with an area with exhibits and displays about the history and the natural features of the park. The information desk abuts this area. There's a gift shop that sells souvenirs and last minute hiking/camping items. There's also ice cream and small snacks. If you want to spend significant time outside here during the summer and forgot mosquito repellent, I highly recommend picking up a canister of 40% DEET. You'll definitely need it! read more

This is my favorite state park in Minnesota (of the 75). It's about 3-1/2 hours from the Twin Cities (northeast of Duluth). It has the most spectacular vistas and is a hiker's paradise. The cascading 60 foot High Falls waterfall into the Baptism River are beautiful, as are the view of Lake Superior. Palisade Head is not to be missed, either. The are ample bird watching opportunities in the park as well. read more

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Cart-in campsites are normally great and well taken care of, especially campsite H. We scooped up a campsite(H) and reserved it early on. We get to the site after pushing a full cart(with a messed up wheel) to find a dozen fallen trees that haven't been clean up, and a bunch of dry old rotting brush on the site, and the fire pit is needing to be cleaned out(its full) Site needs maintenance, bad, was really looking forward to our stay, and now just kinda disappointed. read more

Tettegouche State Park yes what a worthwhile place to come for a visit! Tettegouche is located along North Shore Scenic Drive running up and down the Minnesota coast. For me...the star attraction is the hike to HIGH FALLS!!! You can never have enough waterfalls and these High Falls were fantastic! I highly recommend everyone make the trek to High Falls and take some time to appreciate the beautiful backdrop. First off, Tettegouche SP is sort of a hidden little park. When I arrived here, the parking lot was small and it appeared that I fortunately got the last available spot. I visited back in June around 9am and the park and trailhead had filled up. I read at the entrance sign that the trail to High Falls was 1.5 miles each way taking roughly 2 hours. I was able to arrive at High Falls in a little over 1 hour each way with a quick pace. I found the hike to be relatively difficult especially starting out and towards the end. Leaving the trailhead I did have to climb up and over some rocks and cliff areas that I wasn't expecting to be so rugged. I'd say the elevation along the way was pretty elevated at times. When you do arrive near High Falls, there's a sign that states you have to step down 83 stairs to the base. But not to fret...it's all worth it. Upon making it to High Falls, I found the setting to be spectacular! It was a sunny, brisk and pleasant morning for the start of summer. Also, there was zero wind. I was able to climb on the rocks for some great looking photos of this 63 foot tall waterfall along the banks of the Baptism River. High Falls splashed down the cliffside and is sort of divided, making the appearance you're gazing out upon two unique looking waterfalls. Really, in total, it was a beautiful scene. If you don't mind taking your shoes off you can certainly step onto the waters for closer views up to High Falls. You can cross the river for different perspectives. I was really impressed with the surroundings at High Falls. There wasn't a cloud in the sky and as I always point out...I got fortunate with the sun being at my back and allowing for picturesque photo opportunities. On the side next to the trail you can climb safely up to the falls. For me, I was content getting a panoramic view from the riverside area. I simply took a seat on the rocks and had High Falls in plain clear sight for one grand magical moment. I hung out for 45 minutes. Eventually it filled up with hikers. For the time I was there though, I was appreciative for looking at such a pretty waterfall. Also at these High Falls, there was a sign for the Two Step Falls Access. I tried to decipher where this access lead towards but unfortunately I never discovered anything worthwhile. For those wanting more out of their time here you can connect to the Superior Hiking Trail. There were signs for it. Another worthwhile spot was Shovel Point. According to the entrance sign, if you follow the cliff line trail to Shovel Point, you're afforded views of the world's largest freshwater lake. Finally, you can also hike to Tettegouche Camp where you can reserve a cabin in advance and stay overnight in nature. Or it's mentioned that you can simply picnic in the lodge or canoe Mic Mac Lake. My experience here at Tettegouche State Park was fulfilling. Getting the chance to hike to High Falls for fantastic photo chances was memorable. I left feeling satisfied and grateful for taking a few hours out of my summer morning to visit. I highly recommend stopping here during your travels along North Shore Scenic Drive. I've become a waterfall enthusiast and believe if you make the 1.5 mile trek each way, you will not be disappointed with the sights and surroundings of this 5 star attraction. read more

A beautiful MN state park! It is easy to get to, right off of Hwy 61 with a decent size parking lot (though not huge, I can imagine it filling up on a nice summer weekend). Visitor Center is very nice, with clean bathrooms, tables, a fireplace, store, and even a coffee shop! We went on the Shovel Point trail (starting at the visitor center), the High Falls/Two Step Falls (from our campground) trail, and the Bean/Bear Lake trail (which technically starts outside the park border). The trails inside the park were well-groomed and maintained. To get to the waterfalls, there are a decent amount of stairs to get down (and back up!). The Baptism River Campground was nice, with very private sites. From this campground, you also have a really short trail to the waterfalls. Beautiful views within the park, especially in the fall! Pro tip: if you are a disabled veteran, bring a copy of your VA letter to get a free MN state park pass!! read more

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The visitors center is fantastic with a great rest area with well maintained restrooms. This was probably our third hike to Shovel Point. Our large family of all ages tried it the first time. It's a decent quick hike for almost every family to the top of Shovel Point for some awesome panoramic views and pictures. Just over 1 mile round trip but with at least 180 stairs. So, it's not an easy hike for those with bad knees or like today for my wife and I (sore legs after hiking the last few days at Grand Portage and the Canadian border). read more

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Easy hiking for beginners. I went in February and it was super muddy. My regret is wearing regular tennis shoes. Next time I'd wear boots or hiking shoes. read more

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Another great State Park. No fee if you hike from the Visitor's Center. I suggest a weekday because parking is tight. First we hiked the 3 miles round trip to the High Falls, beautiful and well worth it. Next we hiked to the Cascade Falls. The Late July water run was not enough to make it worth the 1.5 mile hike but the beauty of the hike makes it a go. The trail is rough and uneven in spots so caution is recommended. Last we hiked the Shovel Point trail, 1.5 miles. Just plain gorgeous with beautiful views of the lake and access to the beach. All three hikes offer great lunch spots. All three trails are well marked and used my many. You will not get lost. Have fun and hike!!!!! read more

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Tettegouche is absolutely incredible! Every view seems to better than the last. Hikes along the shoreline are amazing. Hikes in the woods and up the falls are peaceful. And getting to the falls is a spectacular experience. The whole park is just so beautiful. Hiking in the winter is a challenge for the compacted snow up and down steps and inclines. I suggest wearing Yak Trax and bringing walking sticks. But, don't miss it. read more

In the words of the musical maestro Jackie Wilson...WOOOOOOoooooo E! Arrived here by way of Split Rock lighthouse, just as the snow was tapering off (by tapering, I mean snowing regularly instead of near white out conditions). I expected the park to be amazing when I pulled up and saw the incredible newer structure (built in the past few years,) but once I started walking around, it exceeded ALL expectations! By the way, thanks to the perfect directions by the incredibly friendly staff I was directed to the magic that followed. Not surprisingly, (as the feckless country recently crested 40% obesity) I had the whole park to myself, and what a magical winter wonderland it was. It was a blessed day in every way (isn't that the case any time is spent outside in fresh air? I'm asking a leading question to shove it the readers face that this day was particularly fresh both of smell, sight and sound (which there was little of the latter the further I hiked, but much of the former, which I very much liked). So inspired was I, just now in my head, popped a soliloquy: Further I did go, then further again, oft through knee deep snow. Further I strode, far from the road, til I crested the hill, then down I rode Though most of the ice and snow had not melted, there was still a large amount of water running under, and occasionally through the ice. The contrast between the tannin colored river, and the thickly covered, freshly fallen snow, not to mention the snow still falling made it seem like thine self was the sole inhabitant of this snow globe. I ended up hanging out on that path for a few hours, then went back to the parking lot, and took the other trail in the opposite direction, (which was nearly as cool, but sullied at the top, when the peace and quiet was broken like shattered glass when some millenial hens were clucking much too loud, seemingly endlessly, possibly virtue signaling). I give them credit for making the slippery trek tho. read more

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This is a really cool state park and one that's good for groups, kids, etc. because there is a huge reward (waterfall!) with very little effort needed. Unlike some state parks where you need to do a longer, more rigorous hike to get to the awesome view, this one presents an amazing natural feature within a very short hike from the Visitor's Center. No wonder it's so popular! The waterfall is of course gorgeous, and I love that you can climb up and down to see various angles and portions of the waterfall. I would note that there are portions where you can walk right up to the edge of the waterfall with no guardrails or boundaries, so little kids, pets, etc., would need to be watched closely. While we were there, there were a bunch of kids running around at full tilt, and I was sure one of them was going to fall and get seriously injured. But it really is a beautiful place and totally worth a pit stop if you are driving by! read more

Tettegouche State Park - Parks Near Me - Silver Bay, Minnesota

Oh, the cliffs! Tettegouche State Park is filled with views on views on views. The state park isn't so much a park for the average visitor as it is a highway chalked full with viewing locations for all that Lake Superior has to offer. It's a glorious lake, comprising 10 percent of the worlds fresh water. 24 miles wide, and almost 1,400 feet deep, it's literally akin to an crystal-clear ocean. There are a few waterfalls worth mentioning, so if you find them along the way, stop and take pictures. If you're a rock climber, and you have too much bravery as part of your programming, there are many, many places to scale. I wouldn't, because I'd never, but I saw a few people working to save a climber having trouble a hundred feet down from the ledge, hanging about a hundred feet from the ground. If you've got the gall, they've got the wall. A good plan would be to avoid the forest if you're not camping, and find a few overlooks of report worth a long sit and ponder. I found mine, and I'm glad I did. You should too, because it's a formidable memory worth an afternoon. Also, seek out those waterfalls; there's one that's got many waterfalls cascading down the hill - as pictured, but I forget the name. Enjoy that place! read more

Beautiful visitor center/ rest area that leads to an amazing park. Nicely paved trails, great views, and relatively easy access to the lake & river...loved seeing where the two met. read more

Tettegouche State Park - Parks Near Me - Silver Bay, Minnesota

One of my favorite spots ever...excellent views and wonderful paths.. usually have helpful staff...unfortunately with Covid there is none.. read more

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Cool short hikes and great views of lake superior! Free parking at the visitors Center. read more

Tettegouche State Park - Parks Near Me - Silver Bay, Minnesota

What a TOUGH but awesome hike! We jouneyed to the big falls from the parking lot at the center of the park. It was still a long walk but the park was so beautiful and peaceful as we wove through the pine groves and came upon the large cascade falls. We crossed a suspension bridge and down what felt like a thousand stairs to the base of the falls. A lot of people there so getting pictures of just the falls had its challenges. Then we journeyed to two step falls. Holy crap!! I like climbing hills but this was a definite workout! So many hills and stairs I lost count. It was a beautiful sight but not nearly as breathtaking as cascade falls was. If you want a hard workout, take the trek but if not, skip the trail to two step. They have a GREAT visitor center, large, modern and clean. Nice gift shop too. I picked up a tshirt and my first park passport stamp. Can't wait to return and explore more trails. read more

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It was super gorgeous and relaxing - didn't expect Minnesota to have such tall water falls. The hike itself was a little hard when your foot falls through a foot of snow, but obviously I knew beforehand that there was gonna be snow. There are a bunch of maps and signs that tell you the distance before your next destination. Wasn't a long hike to the waterfall which was awesome, and I noticed a lot of trees with blue paint on the trails which was assuring you're going the right direction. For sure will come back in the summer! read more

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We only had an hour or so and it was almost raining and so cold but this was still one of our favorite stops on the north shore! The hike to shovel point was gorgeous, the trails were so nice! and the short walk down to where the Baptism River meets Lake Superior was beautiful too. After, we stopped by the visitor's center (which is lovely) and got a pumpkin latte and hot apple cider. Perfect for the weather! Don't miss this place. read more

Tettegouche State Park - such nice trails! - Parks Near Me - Silver Bay, Minnesota

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Beautiful hike to this waterfall! The waterfall itself is breath taking, there's space to swim, take pictures and bbq! Definitely a spot to go if you are able to do the hike! There are two trails one long and one medium the long one being 3 miles round trip and the medium length one being 1.5 miles round trip! read more

Tettegouche State Park - Parks Near Me - Silver Bay, Minnesota

We did the High falls which is a mile and half hike. Some terrain are difficult but worth it when you get there. We also did the outlook to Lake Superior which was awesome. Views are majestic. Need to come back for more hikes. read more

The is the crown jewel in the Minnesota State Park System, with something for every person and every season, very analogous to Cape Perpetua State Park on the Oregon Pacific Coast. The chief difference being: no tidepools in Minnesota. Shovel Point offers a short hike from the highway rest area. The trail juts out into Lake Superior. A 5 minute detour directly off of 61 takes you up a steep, winding (but not scary) road to the top of Palisade Head, with stunning views of Shovel Point and any ore freighter traffic far out on the lake. From the campground trails lead up to a series of potholes and waterfalls cascading through narrow gorges carved deep in solid rock. Pine trees line both sides of a trail that also bisects the famed Superior Hiking Trail. In addition to hiking, you can hunt for agates on the beach. The campground is gorgeous and also includes unique "cart-in" sites, a spin on walk-in sites where two-wheeled rickshaws are provided to get your stuff from your car to semi-secluded, beautiful tent sites nestled beneath tall pines According to the State Park Master Plan I studied as part of my undergraduate research in anthropology, the Tettegouche campground was the site of archaic and paleolithic stone-tool making peoples'. Paleo point arrow heads, signs of habitation, and stone age copper mines dating from 1,000-3,000 years BCE have been discovered here. For some reason, I've never seen this mentioned in the interpretive signage or literature at the park. This was a major tool-making site. Further inland, this park has a heart that few people see. There is a set of restored log cabins built by the CCC in the 1930's on Mic Mac Lake that come with a mini-fridge, wood-burning stove and electric range that are available for rent. Each cabin rental comes with a key to a canoe on tiny Mic Mac lake, available 24 hours per day. I have often taken the canoe out at dusk or later in the fall as mist rises from the water, listening to the sounds of loons calling and fish jumping. I'm just going to pause right here and say, "thank you FDR for the amazing social welfare programs you pioneered that are still adding to our enjoyment of this country almost 100 years later." The CCC cabins are at the center of an amazing trail system that rings the camp like a wagon wheel with multiple spokes. It will take you to beautiful bogs, a beaver dam, a remote, alpine-like lake, through pine forests, and through endless stands of maple and birch that pulse with light as they turn crimson, orange and yellow in the Fall. Challenging hikes to overviews of Lake Superior and the park's interior exist at every point of the compass. Raven Rock is my favorite. If you did nothing else but stayed in the cabins and went on day hikes in the interior of the park, it could still take you three full days to see everything within a day-hike's ramble of the CCC camp. The cabins are a 1.75 mile hike in from a remote parking lot, so stow your valuables carefully, and have a plan for getting your stuff to the cabin. The hike in is mostly uphill, and rather grueling. In winter, it's easy to pull a cheap plastic sled with your gear lashed to it. In Fall, I usually bring my bike, lash my gear to it and walk it in to camp, although you can ride it too. Note however, that except for the trail leading to the camp, all the surrounding trails do not allow bikes. Fall during peak fall colors (usually sometime between Sept 20th and Oct. 15th) is the best time to be here. As far as renting the cabins goes, if you don't reserve them nearly a year in advance, forget about it. This place is no secret. The campground is also impossible to get into without lots of advance notice. However, as my pictures show, early spring with a little snow on the ground can be a hoot too. Luckily, if you do get skunked on lodging or camping, there is a beautiful forest service campground a few miles up highway 1 towards Finland with huge boulders and pine trees as well as secluded sites. Also, if you take 6 (Little Marais Road) out of Finland, in a couple of miles you will see a trailhead on the left (north) side of the road for Section 13 of the Superior Hiking Trail, one of the most beautiful hikes along its entire length. read more

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Came here on a Sunday, after spending Saturday afternoon kayaking through the sea caves all along the coast of Tettegouche and Palisade Head, so before I entered the park I knew I had to find that secret beach/bay I had been paddling in the day before. We were on bikes so it made navigating a whole lot easier. The trail to the waterfalls (Two Steps and High Falls) were both HELLA overgrown, made for quite the adventure. BRING WATER - and remember you're going to be hiking tons of steps, but the views are more than worth it. Plus you'll get a great workout :-) read more

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There are many beautiful outlooks to Shovel Point - at least 4 or 5 overlooks and perfect for a break/picnic. The trail itself is pretty well paved and easy for kids- lots of stairs and wood planks and dirt and rocks towards the end of the trail. There's a section where there's nothing but rocks but there are signs to stay on the trail. This area also has several bolts for top rope climbing. You'll definitely see climbers in early Spring or Summer. Definitely one of my favorite spot to climb and hike. The endpoint is gorgeous, and a must see! read more

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Great hike to high falls!! My 63 year old mom needed a few breaks and luckily there were some benches after the tough spots. She said it was totally worth it. A lot less people visit this water falls so it was much more enjoyable. read more

Tettegouche State Park - High falls - Parks Near Me - Silver Bay, Minnesota

Wow. Tettegouche was so great that we will for sure be back. This was the first time we've camped as a family (we have a 4 and 2 year old) although BC (before children) we had camped quite extensively. The campsites were very clean and the tent site was liberally covered with clean wood chips and virtually no evidence of previous tenants. We lucked out that our site was very close to the trails to the Baptism River waterfalls, which was fun to go down to although the trail down to Two Step Falls was a bit treacherous for the two year old. One thing that really impressed me was the diversity of sites. Our site was fairly open, but others were heavily wooded, and still others were accessible by a short (or long) walk. I could have done without the latrine as the nearest bathroom (there was a nicer facility across the park) but it is camping after all, so I appreciate that throwback to more traditional camping. read more

The air is crisp, sharp and constantly at your back urging you to keep exploring. This park is absolutely teeming with waterfalls, overgrown trails, wildlife and shallow beach caves. The nights here do get rather chilly even in the warmer months so I would highly suggest bringing appropriate clothing to double up when necessary. One of the nice things about this park is that there are many easily accessible beautiful sights so it's very family friendly for the kids that don't want to/can't make that seven mile hike. But if you're kid-free and up for adventure there is much to be had here. We often found ourselves blazing our own trails and the views that resulted were breathtaking. They (of course) charge an assload for pre-cut firewood at the main office. Don't buy into it... trust me. It's the awful stuff that burns up faster than a stack of hundreds (which is nearly what it costs) and it's just not worth the 'convenience'. There are plenty of suitable fallen limbs, dried logs and assorted kindling all around you; bring a camp saw, tie a wet bandana around your forehead and feel the inner badass seeping from your pores as you create your own fuel. Of course, there are multiple types of sites here. There are places for RVs to park, less primitive grounds and primitive camps that are situated very pleasantly distant from one another. Our sight was just off Lake Superior on a hill. We spent many nights down on the rocky beach building small fires to cook our meals and keep us warm. In addition to being cold at nights, it gets very windy if your camp is by the lake. It would be a good idea to invest in a good quality tent and bags, but ultimately, this is a very inexpensive adventure. If you happen to find yourself in need of supplies there are a limited (but sufficient) number of stores located about 15-20 miles out. read more

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Amazing. So much to do in this amazing backwoods hiking arena. Waterfalls, lakes and fun oh my. The kids can walk most of the trails and there are plenty of photo opportunities. read more

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This was a great park, and we are sure to go back. We hiked soooo much, and climbed all those stairs! After a short (actually long) hike from our campground we made it to the bay, and took some great pictures. I remember that it was just the hottest day, one of the ones that it was so hot and so sticky you don't even sweat. I was drinking plenty of water, however the 4 hour hike up and down the stairs to see the river and at the end see the bay it was so breathtaking. We had not realized that 4 hours in and 4 hours back was a long hike, and didn't pack enough food! By the time we got back, we were quite woozy. Only water and a couple granola bars was not quite cutting it for us. There were a few shorter trails we also took that were just as nice. Plenty of nice pictures were taken that day. Highly recommended for people that like to climb and boulder or just love long hiking. read more

Beautiful park. Great trails. The high falls are a challenge. So many steps, on both sides. Well worth it if you can do it. They aren't straight up and down so that helps. We went toward the end of the day on a Friday in July and there weren't a lot of people. This is a big park and I wish we could have hiked more of the other trails. Well worth the stop to take a short hike down to the water or up to a waterfall. read more

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This state park is absolutely gorgeous. We enjoyed hiking and exploring. Thank you to the staff at this state park as well. They are very friendly and helpful. read more

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Love coming here every year. I'm never disappointed at the beauty. And, as for COVID-19 it hasn't disappointed either. Thankfully the bathrooms are open at the campsite . However the main Lodge is completely closed. You nw have to get your parking passes at the firewood building. Plus wear a mask in rhe bathroom REALLY!!! As if that is going to help somehow! Anyway, it's still beautiful and the area is so great to spend time in at least we still have that. read more

I can add little to what's already been written about this awesome state park. I agree with everything that the other reviewers say. It is certainly one of Minnesota's finest parks. The campsite is wonderful, among the best. The hiking and the views along Lake Superior are tremendous. There is something here for everyone - hiking, waterfalls, the lake, and more. You and your family will just love it, as long as the weather cooperates. I long to return to Tettegouche! read more

Absolutely wonderful state park about 60 miles north of Duluth. We camped in a walk-in site -- highly recommend either a walk-in or cart-in site for a little more privacy. Lots of beautiful beaches and coast line. The hike to Shovel Point is the most beautiful I've seen since living in Oregon. One tip: While High Falls is awesome, Two Step Falls is totally not worth it. It's out of the way of the trail, and then the falls are only about 6-7 feet. I'm not even sure why they have singled it out. With that in mind, Tettegouche is awesome! read more

Tettegouche is an amazing spot for hiking, camping, and spending time on the shore. It is accessible to all levels of outdoors people and offers many lodging options as well. I have loved it during all seasons. read more

This is one of the nicest state parks I've ever visited. The station is new and incredibly clean. The trails are very well maintained and easy for all to hike. And the beach is super cool. read more

This is a beautiful park and is definitely worth a stop on any trip to the North Shore. I even got lost in this forest and come back again and again. In a time long ago and far, far away (the spring of 2001) my now husband, then boyfriend took the first of many trips to the North Shore. Tettegouche State Park was one of the places we decided to check out. He had been there the previous fall with a friend but it happened to be an unusually wet and slippery spring so the previously safe paths were icy and treacherous. It was late afternoon when we arrived and darkness was quickly approaching. We were walking along the Baptism River when suddenly we realized the path was too dangerous to go any further and it would take too long to go back the way we came. So we decided to scale the hill which led to us getting lost in the forest. Panic ensued. After an hour or so we found a row of trees that were too straight to be natural and made our way over to the unnatural straightness. It ended up being a road that led us to the parking lot. It's funny now, not so much then. read more