It’s Minnesota
It's Minnesota

Cascade River State Park

Cascade River State Park is a Minnesota state park near Lutsen, covering 5,392 acres. Hours: Daily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. It offers camping or lodging. Entry needs a state park vehicle permit, $7 for a day, as the DNR fees page said on October 19, 2026.

Tea-brown rapids of the Cascade River rushing through a rocky gorge below a pine-edged overlook at Cascade River State Park.
Photo by Sharon Mollerus, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Plan It In Three Lines

About The Park

The DNR describes it: Come to Cascade for the rushing river and grand waterfalls that lay within a gorge, lush with moss and ferns that grow on black volcanic rocks. Hike the trail through birch, spruce and white cedar; stop to see the views of Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake in the world.

Wildlife. Wildlife abounds in this hilly terrain. Moose, wolves, pine martens, bears, and many other animals have been sighted in this park. Wintering deer converge from the interior to Lake Superior's south facing slope.

History. Although established formally in 1957, Cascade River State Park was developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. The park is named for the river that cascades down through a series of waterfalls in the gorge.

Geology. Its geologic history is what really makes the dramatic landscapes of the North Shore and Cascade River State Park. It started 1.1 billion years ago, when the ancient continental bedrock split apart and became covered with molten lava which.

Visit Facts

Trails

SeasonTrail typeLengthNotes
SummerHiking—The park has 18 miles of hiking trails. The Superior Hiking Trail also runs through the park.
WinterGroomed Cross-Country Skiing Classic17 milesThe park has 17 miles of groomed cross-country skiing trails, including one beginner loop. The more difficult trails connect to trails outside the park. A Great Minnesota Ski Pass is required to use groomed ski trails within the state park.
WinterSnowmobile2 milesThe park has two miles of groomed snowmobile trail connected to local trail systems, including C.J. Ramstad/North Shore State Trail.
WinterSnowshoe—Snowshoeing is allowed anywhere in the park, except for groomed ski and snowmobile trails.

Camping And Lodging

TypeDetailNotes
Drive-in Sites—The park has 19 rustic and 21 electric drive-in sites.Three rustic sites and three electric sites are plowed in the winter.
Pull-Through Sites—The park has four pull-through sites.
RV Length Limit—The max RV length is 35 feet. Parking spurs vary in length from 21 to 50 feet.Length is measured from front of tow vehicle to rear of vehicle being towed.
Accessible Sites—The Lower Campground has two accessible drive-in sites, one with electric hookup.
Backpack Sites5 sitesThe park has five backpack sites between half a mile and 1.5 miles from the parking area. Sites include a tent pad, fire ring with grill, small shelter and picnic table. #BP1 is a 1 mile hike from the group camp parking lot and 0.1 miles from Lake Superior. #BP2 is a 1 mile hike from the group camp parking lot. #BP3 is a 1 mile hike from the group camp parking lot.
Group Camp—The park has two tent-only group camps available seasonally. Parking, vault toilets, picnic tables and fire rings are 75 yards away. Water is one-fifth miles away.

Reservations go through the DNR system; start from the park page.

On The Water

TypeDetailNotes
Water Source—The Cascade River runs through the park which sits on the shore of Lake Superior.
Canoe AccessCascade River wayside—

Other Recreation

TypeDetailNotes
Picnic Area—The picnic area has seven tables.
Picnic Shelter—The enclosed picnic shelter has tables, a wood stove and beverage machine. Call the park to reserve.
Warming House—The enclosed picnic shelter becomes a warming house in the winter. It's heated weekends and holidays through the cross-country ski season. Buy firewood at the ranger station to heat the picnic shelter on weekdays.

Amenities

TypeDetailNotes
Ranger Station—Visit the ranger station for vehicle permits and park information.
Rentals—Birding kits and kids discovery kits (activities and stories for ages 5-12) are available to check out for free at the ranger station.
Firewood—Buy firewood at the ranger station or through Yodel. Gathering firewood can spread tree-killing insects and is against state park rules. Protect our trees – please burn only approved firewood!
Ice Sales—Buy ice seasonally at the ranger station.

Pets And Permits

Statewide, the DNR rules page says pets are welcome in state parks on a leash six feet or shorter, attended at all times; only service animals are allowed in buildings, lodging, tours and beach areas. A vehicle permit costs $7 a day or $35 a year (DNR fees page, read October 19, 2026). See the parks passport page for the full price list.

Directions

10 miles southwest of Grand Marais, and approximately 265 miles from the Twin Cities. The office is located just off State Highway 61 at mile post 101.

Map © OpenStreetMap contributors. Directions.

Nearby Places

What We Could Not Verify

More In Duluth & North Shore

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Cascade River State Park?

It is near Lutsen, Minnesota. The DNR address is 3481 West Highway 61 Lutsen, MN 55612.

How much does it cost to visit Cascade River State Park?

A one-day vehicle permit is $7 and a year-round permit is $35 on the DNR fees page we read on October 19, 2026. Check the fees page before you go.

Are dogs allowed at Cascade River State Park?

Pets are welcome on a leash six feet or shorter outside buildings, lodging, tours and beach areas, per the DNR rules page. The park page states no extra limits we could read.

Sources

  1. Cascade River State Park (DNR Recreation Compass data) (read November 1, 2026).
  2. Minnesota state park fees (DNR) (read November 1, 2026).
  3. Minnesota state park rules (DNR) (read November 1, 2026).
  4. Minnesota State Parks Passport, all places, park fees and rules.
Cite this page: It’s Minnesota. “Cascade River State Park.” itsminnesota.com/places/cascade-river/. Facts read from the sources above on November 1, 2026.