Gooseberry Falls

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. Look at some park pictures.

Hike or ski to see the Fifth Falls through a forest of evergreens, aspen, and birch.

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. Or visit the Gateway Plaza for outdoor interpretive signs on area resources and history.

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

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

Visitor Alert!

A special deer hunt will be conducted in the park November 8-23.

The park will be partially closed to non-hunting visitors during this time period with the exception of areas south/east of Highway 61, which are open to the public and closed to hunting. Areas north/west of Highway 61 are only open to deer hunters with a valid permit during the special hunt.

Gitchi Gami State Trail

As of 10/15/08, construction of the Gitchi Gami bike trail in Gooseberry Falls State Park is finished - the trail is fully paved and available for use. The Gooseberry section connects our lower Picnic Area to the rest of the trail along Highway 61. The trail now runs continuously 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 2 hours is not always available at our Visitor Center lots.

The trail corridor is highlighted on the park maps found through the 'Maps' link on this page. For more information, please give the park office a call at 218-834-3855, or check the Gitchi Gami State Trail website at www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_trails/gitchigami.

Park Notes

The Group Camps at Gooseberry Falls can be reserved by phone or online through the centralized reservation system. Group camp reservation can be made from three to 365 days in advance. Call toll free 1-866-85PARKS or reserve online at www.stayatmnparks.com.

Please go to the Recreation Facilities section of this web site for more information on rental of Lady Slipper Lodge, Lakeview Shelter and the Theater at the Visitor Center.

See the beauty of Gooseberry Falls, then stop by the Visitor Center and discover the interpretive exhibits and the Nature Store.

Birders:Click Here for the Bird Checklist at Gooseberry Falls State Park.

Firewood restrictions information:

Minnesota has enacted legislation that restricts firewood being brought to or used on DNR lands. Complete information and lists of vendors and locations where approved firewood is available are posted on the DNR Web site.
More information
Vendor List

Scenic Waterfalls/Lake Superior Shoreline	Visitor Center/Nature Store
Historic CCC Log & Stone Structures	Year-Round Naturalist
Multi-Use/Accessible Trails	Gateway Plaza