Tettegouche State Park

Tettegouche State Park is one of the most rugged and spectacular parks on Minnesota’s North Shore, a wild landscape of crashing Lake Superior cliffs, plunging inland waterfalls, rocky peaks and remote forest-rimmed lakes northeast of Silver Bay. Among the crown jewels of the North Shore, the park packs an extraordinary range of scenery into its rugged terrain, from the great lake’s edge to the heart of the Sawtooth Mountains.

Its signature feature is High Falls, where the Baptism River plunges some 60 feet in one of the highest waterfalls entirely within Minnesota, reached by forest trails and viewed from a dramatic overlook. Along the lakeshore, the cliffs of Shovel Point jut into Lake Superior, offering breathtaking views and renowned rock climbing. Inland, four wilderness lakes and the rocky knobs of the Sawtooth Mountains await hikers and paddlers. With waterfalls, cliffs, lakes and mountains, Tettegouche is a magnificent and varied gem of the North Shore.

Tettegouche State Park offers superb and varied recreation — hiking to the dramatic High Falls of the Baptism River, the Lake Superior cliffs of Shovel Point (a renowned rock-climbing site), and into the inland Sawtooth Mountains and wilderness lakes; paddling the remote lakes; fishing; camping (including cart-in and backpack sites); and birding. The Superior Hiking Trail crosses the park. The combination of a high waterfall, Lake Superior cliffs, inland lakes and rocky peaks makes Tettegouche one of the most spectacular and rewarding parks on the North Shore.

Spring brings the fullest, most powerful flow over High Falls from snowmelt, while summer is fine for hiking, paddling, climbing and camping, and fall brings spectacular color across the Sawtooth Mountains and lakeshore — a premier autumn destination. Winter offers snow, ice and quiet. High Falls is most powerful in spring; fall color over the rugged terrain is a highlight. The park is busy in summer and fall, so arrive early to enjoy the waterfall, cliffs, lakes and mountains.

Tettegouche’s rugged lands have a layered history — logged in the early 20th century, then used as a private fishing retreat (the Tettegouche Camp on the inland lakes survives) before being protected as a Minnesota state park to preserve its waterfalls, cliffs, lakes and Sawtooth Mountains. The name comes from the camp established by an earlier logging-era club. As one of the North Shore’s most spectacular and varied parks, Tettegouche preserves a wild landscape of great natural drama for the public along Lake Superior.

Tettegouche’s dramatic landscape is built of ancient volcanic rock — the dark basalt and rhyolite lava flows of the great Midcontinent Rift more than a billion years ago that shaped Lake Superior and the Sawtooth Mountains. The Baptism River has cut through this resistant rock to form High Falls, while the rift’s hard volcanic rock forms the Lake Superior cliffs of Shovel Point and the rocky knobs of the Sawtooth range. Glaciers and the great lake further sculpted the terrain, giving the park its waterfalls, cliffs and rugged peaks.

The northern forests, lakes, river and Lake Superior shoreline of Tettegouche host moose, black bear, white-tailed deer, foxes, and a rich community of birds, including boreal species, raptors along the Lake Superior migration corridor, and loons on the inland lakes, while the waters support fish. The wild, varied habitat of forest, lake, river gorge, cliff and mountain supports diverse northern wildlife. The park is an excellent place for wildlife watching and birding on the rugged North Shore.

Tettegouche State Park protects a rich and varied North Shore ecosystem — boreal-influenced northern forest, the Baptism River and its falls, remote inland lakes, the Sawtooth Mountains and rugged Lake Superior shoreline. This range of habitats, from the great lake to the inland peaks, supports diverse plant and animal life, including boreal species near the southern edge of their range. The park lies along an important migratory corridor. Protecting the forests, lakes, river and shoreline sustains both the ecology and the spectacular scenery of this North Shore jewel.

Tettegouche State Park, with its high waterfall, Lake Superior cliffs, wilderness lakes and Sawtooth Mountains, holds a treasured place among the crown jewels of Minnesota’s North Shore. Its extraordinary range of rugged scenery, its renowned climbing at Shovel Point, and its blend of great-lake and inland wilderness have made it a beloved destination for hikers, climbers, paddlers and nature lovers, embodying the wild grandeur and varied beauty of the North Shore along Lake Superior.

Tettegouche State Park is on Minnesota’s North Shore along Highway 61, about 4 miles northeast of Silver Bay and 60 miles up the shore from Duluth. A Minnesota state park vehicle permit is required. The park offers a visitor center, trails to High Falls, Shovel Point and the inland lakes and Sawtooth Mountains, climbing access, paddling, camping (including cart-in, backpack and the historic Tettegouche Camp), and Superior Hiking Trail access. The trails are rugged. Check the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for permits, conditions and access before visiting.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources protects the waterfalls, cliffs, inland lakes, Sawtooth Mountains and Lake Superior shoreline of Tettegouche State Park. Visitors help by staying on trails to protect the fragile terrain, keeping back from the cliff edges and the falls, climbing responsibly at designated areas, packing out everything, protecting the waters’ quality, respecting wildlife (including moose), and following park rules. Protecting the diverse habitats and the rugged scenery sustains both the ecology and the beauty of this spectacular North Shore park.

Tettegouche’s cliffs and waterfalls have steep, dangerous drop-offs and slippery rock — stay on trails and overlooks, keep well back from the edges at Shovel Point, High Falls and elsewhere, and supervise children closely, as falls would be fatal. Rock climbing requires proper skills and gear. Lake Superior is frigid with dangerous waves; do not climb on wet shoreline rocks in rough conditions. The trails are rugged; wear sturdy footwear, carry water, be moose-aware, and take care in icy conditions.

A Minnesota state park vehicle permit is required. Stay on designated trails and back from cliff edges and the falls. Rock climbing is allowed at designated areas — climb responsibly. Camp only in designated sites (cart-in, backpack or the Tettegouche Camp by reservation). Follow Minnesota fishing regulations. Pets must be leashed. Drones generally require authorization. Collecting is prohibited. Pack out all trash. Check the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for current rules, permits and conditions before visiting.

The town of Silver Bay lies just down the shore, with Split Rock Lighthouse and Gooseberry Falls state parks to the southwest and Temperance River, Cascade River and the rest of the North Shore parks to the northeast along Highway 61. The Superior Hiking Trail links the shore, and the city of Duluth lies about 60 miles southwest. Lake Superior and the Sawtooth Mountains define the region. Tettegouche is a spectacular centerpiece of a North Shore tour of waterfalls, cliffs and northern wilderness in Minnesota.

Hike to the dramatic High Falls of the Baptism River — best in spring high water — and out to the Lake Superior cliffs of Shovel Point for breathtaking views (and watch the rock climbers). Explore the inland lakes and Sawtooth Mountains for a wilder experience. Keep well back from the cliff edges and falls, wear sturdy footwear for the rugged trails, bring a state park permit, and visit in fall for spectacular color. Combine Tettegouche with Split Rock and Gooseberry Falls.