17 Waterfalls in Duluth, MN: Must-See Falls Close to the City (2023)
One of the very best parts about Northern Minnesota is the high concentration of waterfalls and lakes, so if you’re looking for the best waterfalls in Duluth, MN, you’re in the right place!
While there are technically only a few located within Duluth, there are many more nearby that you can plan a visit to!
Nestled among the hills and forests of the city, these cascading waterfalls are a breathtaking sight that draws visitors to the North Shore from near and far.
I’ve visited nearly all of these falls, as I grew up just an hour from Duluth, and have lots to share about these beautiful destinations!
In this post, I’ll share with you the best places to see waterfalls in the area, to really get to know the beauty that northern Minnesota has to offer.
Are There Any Waterfalls in Duluth, MN?
Yes, there are a few waterfalls in the Minnesota city of Duluth, but they’re all pretty small.
The falls that you’ll find in the actual city are more like rapids flowing down the creeks and rivers that wind through the city.
However, Duluth is the gateway to one of the most beautiful places in Minnesota, the North Shore, which is home to several of the best Minnesota waterfalls.
Within just 2 hours, you can find over 10 more waterfalls, several of which drop over 50 feet!
These are highly worth checking out! So I would recommend checking out the ones in the city, and then moving on to the North Shore!
Duluth Waterfalls Map
Best Duluth Waterfalls
The following waterfalls are located right within Duluth, and are all smaller, but still worth visiting if you’re a waterfall lover (like me!).
1. Tischer Creek Falls
Location: Congdon Park
This small, cascading waterfall is found within Congdon Park, in the Hunters Park neighborhood of Duluth.
Find the falls by parking near Superior Street and wandering along Tischer Creek.
There isn’t any designated parking, but you can park along the street and you should be okay, as long as you follow the street signs!
You’ll find these falls right in the city, between Superior Street and 4th Street.
Because of their location, you can easily access this cascading waterfall without having to drive out of the city at all!
2. Lester River Falls
Location: Lester Park
Found within the city’s popular Lester Park, is Lester River Falls, which is a smaller waterfall that drops a short distance into the Lester River.
Located near a great golf course, walking paths, and a children’s playground, this is a great place for some waterfalling in the city!
While the waterfall is smaller than some of the others on the North Shore, it’s still a nice place to visit!
I personally love that you can escape into this little oasis of Duluth, and it feels like you’re miles outside of the city.
It’s one of the few waterfalls in Duluth that you can visit without having to drive a distance, so be sure to check it out!
3. Chester Creek Falls
Location: Chester Park
Duluth has a fantastic park system, and Chester Park is another of the must-visit places to get outside and explore the city.
Within Chester Park, you’ll find the fantastic Chester Creek Falls, which drop a short distance down Chester Creek.
Wander along the miles of trails throughout the park, and find a few places to take a swim or dip your toes in the cool water.
Chester Creek Falls is smaller, just like the other waterfalls within the city, but you can still experience the beauty within Duluth!
There are several parking areas for the park, and you can walk along Chester Trail to find the falls, but the most popular spot is at the Chester Creek Hiking Trails Hub.
If you’re searching for a place to hike or get outdoors within the park, then Chester Park is for you.
4. Amity Creek Falls
Location: Lester Park
Another small cascading river waterfall is found also within Lester Park and is known as Amity Creek Falls.
Both Amity Creek and Lester River snake their way through Lester Park, and along Amity Creek, you’ll find this waterfall.
These two rivers actually merge underneath Superior Street, where they also come together to form a small waterfall!
While these waterfalls in the parks are harder to find, it’s actually kind of nice to just wander along the trails, as there are several smaller cascading falls within the park!
So choose a few Duluth parks, wander the trails, and make it your own adventure!
Waterfalls Near Duluth
The falls below aren’t right in Duluth, but they’re within a short driving distance (within 3 hours).
Many of these ones are quite a bit larger and are impressive, so they’re really all worth visiting! Plus, the drive up the North Shore is incredible and has many hidden gems!
5. Swinging Bridge Falls
Location: Jay Cooke State Park
Distance from Duluth: 20 minutes
While this waterfall hasn’t technically been given a name, many people call it Swinging Bridge Falls, because of its proximity to the swing bridge in Jay Cooke State Park.
These cascading falls flow down the St. Louis River and offer some pretty beautiful views just a short distance from Duluth.
You can wander along the river and admire the beautiful cascades of the river, and check out the miles of hiking trails nearby.
The start of Superior Hiking Trail actually is within the park here!
If you’re looking for the best Duluth waterfalls, plan a visit to Jay Cooke State Park!
6. Gooseberry Falls
Location: Two Harbors
Distance from Duluth: 45 minutes
As one of the most popular waterfalls on the North Shore, you simply cannot miss a visit to Gooseberry Falls, located within its namesake state park!
This beautiful three-tiered waterfall cascades down a series of rocky ledges, creating a mesmerizing display of water and mist.
You don’t have to walk far to see the falls, as they’re accessible from a variety of paved paths right from the parking lot!
Visitors can explore the park’s many trails, which wind through lush forests and along the shore of Lake Superior, as well as camp near the lake.
Plus, with just a short 45-minute drive from the city of Duluth, visiting Gooseberry should be on all Minnesotan’s bucket list!
7. Cascade Falls
Location: Lutsen
Distance from Duluth: 2 hours
The beautiful Cascade River State Park is full of cascading falls and great views along the river, hence the name!
You can reach Cascade Falls via the Superior Hiking Trail, and you can experience the magic of this state park.
Most skill levels are able to see these falls, as the hike is easy and only covers 1 mile of distance, roundtrip.
Even if you have little kiddos on your trip with you, you can totally do this trail!
Along the trail, you’ll wind through the forest, follow the Cascade River, and get to admire the beautiful Cascade Falls.
This park isn’t as visited as others on the shore, so you may even be able to escape some of the crowds during tourist season!
8. Devil’s Kettle
Location: Grand Marais
Distance from Duluth: 2 hours 20 minutes
This unique waterfall used to be such a mystery to everyone that every visited the North Shore, but it seems that in recent years, it has been solved.
Devil’s Kettle seemingly just disappears from the Brule River, located in Judge C.R. Magney State Park.
After dropping over the rocky cliff, it just seems to be gone! But it seems that the water just rejoins the river a bit further down the way.
You can see this local mystery for yourself with a short, 2-mile hike through the forest of the North Shore, along the river.
Be prepared to see many others during the summer, as lots of others are trying to see where the water reemerges for themselves too!
Grand Marais is a favorite destination for summer and winter activities, so don’t miss it!
9. High Falls
Location: Silver Bay
Distance from Duluth: 1 hour 10 minutes
As the highest waterfall in the state, you can expect to find many people at High Falls, during any given day of the week.
But that shouldn’t stop you from vising, because it’s highly popular for a reason!
Follow the Superior Hiking Trail for 2.8 miles roundtrip, along the Baptism River, on a trail that is moderately challenging.
Just before you reach High Falls, you’ll stumble upon a sign that says ‘Two-Step Falls’, which is a secondary waterfall that you can visit, if you’re up for the stairs!
Otherwise, continue on, and you’ll find the magnificent High Falls, which drops nearly 70 feet over a rocky ledge, into a large pool at the base of the river.
Some people take a dip here in the summer, while others enjoy wading in the water and feeling the cool mist from the falls on their face.
10. Two-Step Falls
Location: Silver Bay
Distance from Duluth: 1 hour 10 minutes
Found along the trail to reach High Falls, Two-Step Falls is a smaller waterfall near Duluth, but it offers some nice seclusion from others.
Because most people on the trail are strictly there to visit High Falls, you can escape some of the crowds of Tettegouche here!
Wander down 200 stairs (yep, you read that right!), and you’ll reach the flowing waterfall, which drops along the Baptism River.
This is the perfect spot to spend some time eating lunch or just enjoying the beautiful Minnesota weather!
If you’re up for another great waterfall, continue further along the trail for High Falls of the Baptism River!
11. Beaver River Falls
Location: Beaver Bay
Distance from Duluth: 1 hour
Found right along the Beaver River in Beaver Bay, are the Beaver River Falls (how many more times can I say beaver?).
You can easily spot this waterfall from the side of the road, and it makes for a great spot to stop and have a picnic!
Grab lunch from one of the great restaurants nearby, and sit at the picnic tables which are found at the Beaver Bay Wayside.
You can hike down the hillside to get a closer look at the falls, which slowly cascade down the river, before entering Lake Superior.
12. Illgen Falls
Location: Silver Bay
Distance from Duluth: 1 hour 10 minutes
Illgen Falls is also located within Tettegouche State Park, but is much less visited than the popular High Falls.
You can find the trailhead for the falls a short distance away from the visitor center, along Highway 1, which is just off of Highway 61.
The hike to reach Illgen Falls is fairly short, coming in at just over 3/4 mile with minimal elevation.
You’ll follow the Baptism River for the hike, and will eventually come to an opening where Illgen Falls can be found.
It’s actually just up the river from High Falls, but you can’t connect the two trails, due to the river and forests.
13. Caribou Falls
Location: Little Marais
Distance from Duluth: 1 hour 20 minutes
This smaller and lesser-known waterfall is perfect for those who are looking to escape the crowds at more popular destinations.
Take a short and easy 1.2-mile roundtrip hike through the woods, with views of the Caribou River on your sides.
Soon, you’ll come to a staircase that leads you down to the base of the falls, where many people enjoy taking a dip during the summer months.
When fall comes around, you’ll see beautiful orange and yellow leaves surrounding the waterfall. It’s just fantastic.
14. Fifth Falls
Location: Two Harbors
Distance from Duluth: 45 minutes
Visiting Gooseberry Falls State Park but don’t want to deal with the crowds at the main falls? Make the hiking trip to Fifth Falls!
These smaller and lesser-visited falls can be found after a 3-mile roundtrip hike on the Superior Hiking Trail.
Wind through forests, along the Gooseberry River, and you’ll eventually stumble upon the beautiful Fifth Falls.
Watch in awe as the water tumbles over rock ledges and continues to make its way down the river, before emptying into Lake Superior.
Most visitors stick to the main falls, which are found just a short distance from the parking lot. So if you want some solitude, this is the way to go!
15. Temperance River Falls
Location: Schroeder
Distance from Duluth: 1 hour 30 minutes
Temperance River Falls is another of the best waterfalls near Duluth, found in one of the North Shore’s 8 state parks.
Cascading down the Temperance River, this beautiful waterfall is perfect for those who don’t find something smaller and a bit tamer.
It’s still beautiful and can be seen via a 3.3-mile loop trail, which leads you through the forest and around the beautiful Temperance River.
Part of the trail is on the Superior Hiking Trail, so you can experience some of the North Shore’s best hiking!
You’ll also start the trail just a short distance from Lake Superior, so be sure to enjoy the sounds and sights of the great lake while you’re visiting!
16. Devil’s Track Falls
Location: Grand Marais
Distance from Duluth: 2 hours 15 minutes
This highly hidden and not often visited waterfall can be really tricky to get to, but is worth it if you’re able!
There really isn’t any real trail to reach the falls, so you’ll need to head to the Lindskog Road Trailhead on Highway 58.
From here, follow the Superior Hiking Trail until you hear the roaring of the Devil Track Falls (sometimes also called Barrier Falls).
As I mentioned, this waterfall can be really hard to get to, and it can be dangerous.
But the best way to reach it is to visit during the winter when the Devil Track River is frozen, and you can snowshoe or cross-country ski to the frozen falls.
This gives a more unique perspective anyways, and provides one heck of a unique experience during winter on the North Shore!
17. High Falls of the Pigeon River
Location: Grand Portage
Distance from Duluth: 3 hours
Although this waterfall is quite the drive from Duluth, it’s one of the tallest in the state, so if you have the time, make the visit!
Located half in Minnesota and half in Canada, this would technically be the tallest in Minnesota if it were entirely in the state!
High Falls of the Pigeon River is found in Grand Portage State Park, and drops 120 feet over a rocky gorge, surrounded by towering trees.
It’s easily reachable from a paved path, so most anyone can visit this beautiful waterfall near Duluth!
How Many Waterfalls Are in Duluth?
There are technically only around 4 or 5 waterfalls located right within Duluth.
But you can take a drive up the North Shore and see closer to 20 falls within a 2-hour drive!
I would recommend taking a few days to explore the hidden gems of the shore, and spend some time hiking, camping, and just exploring Minnesota’s beauty.
What is the Closest Waterfall to Duluth?
There are four waterfalls located right within the city limits, but I’ll be honest and say that these aren’t all that impressive, compared to those on the North Shore.
If you’re looking for a great waterfall, head to Gooseberry Falls State Park for one of the best activities in Two Harbors.
This is a popular fall, and for good reason! It’s right on Lake Superior and can be reached with just a short walk from the parking lot!
Gooseberry Falls is only about 45 minutes from Duluth.
FAQs
The tallest waterfall in the entire state of Minnesota is High Falls, found in Tettegouche State Park. It drops about 70 feet into the Baptism River!
There are four different waterfalls at Gooseberry Falls. This includes Upper, Middle, and Lower Gooseberry Falls, and Fifth Falls.
Personally, I think that High Falls is the best waterfall on the North Shore. This is because of how tall it is and the beauty surrounding it!
There aren’t any waterfalls on Minnesota’s North Shore that flow directly into Lake Superior. But there are plenty along the shoreline!
Gooseberry Falls is only a short 45 minute drive from Duluth!
Wrap-Up: Waterfalls in Duluth
With waterfalls both right in the city limits to ones just a short distance away, visiting some of these waterfalls in Duluth is worth the trip!
From the popular Gooseberry Falls State Park to the lesser-known, yet equally stunning, waterfalls in the area, Duluth is truly a magical place to be.
Plus, you can explore the fantastic North Shore and get to know what northern Minnesota is all about!
