Gooseberry Falls State Park is a Minnesota state park near Two Harbors, covering 1,682 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.
- 1,682acres
- Two Harborsmailing town
- Yesovernight stays
- $7day vehicle permit
- Scenic waterfalls
- Visitor center and large Nature Store
- Historic log and stone structures
- Lake Superior shoreline
- Accessible multi-use trails
- Gateway Plaza
Plan It In Three Lines
- Hours: Daily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
- Cost: a $7 one-day vehicle permit or a $35 year-round permit, per the DNR fees page of October 19, 2026; confirm before you go.
- Pets: leashed (six feet or shorter) outside buildings, lodging and beaches, per the DNR rules page; park-specific limits are listed below.
About The Park
The DNR describes it: 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.
Wildlife. The park has recorded over 225 species of birds that nest or visit the park, 46 species of mammals, and ten species of reptiles and amphibians.
History. The park is named after the magnificent set of falls along the Gooseberry River. A French map from 1670 names the river Riviere des Groseilliers after Medard Chouart sieur des Groseilliers who visited the area a decade earlier.
Geology. Geologists have determined that about 1.1 billion years ago, the Earth's crust began to split apart along a great rift zone now covered by Lake Superior.
Visit Facts
- Address3206 Highway 61 East Two Harbors, MN 55616
- Phone218-595-7100
- Park hoursDaily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
- Park office hoursNature Store/Visitor Center open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. No vehicle permit is necessary to park in the wayside/visitor center lot.
- Emailgooseberryfalls.statepark@state.mn.us
- Park GPS point47.13986, -91.47335 (DNR printed coordinates)
- Official pageDNR page for Gooseberry Falls State Park
- Entry noteNo vehicle permit is necessary to park in the wayside/visitor center lot
Trails
| Season | Trail type | Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Accessible | One mile | Begins at the visitor center and extends to the main falls area. |
| Summer | Hiking | 20 miles | Trails travel along the Gooseberry River and through evergreen and birch forests. Scenic views of waterfalls and Lake Superior. |
| Summer | Paved Bike | 15 miles | Two and one-half miles of the trail connects to the Gitchi-Gami State Trail from the picnic flow parking lot. |
| Summer | Other | Superior Hiking Trail | A trail spur in the park connects hikers to the nearby Superior Hiking Trail. |
| Winter | Groomed Cross-Country Skiing Classic | 12 miles | Twelve miles are groomed for classical cross-country skiing. Most trails range from easy to moderate, with less than one mile that would be considered difficult. A Great Minnesota Ski Pass is required on groomed trails for skiers age 16 and up. |
| Winter | Groomed Cross-Country Skiing Skate | Two and one-half miles | — |
| Winter | Snowmobile | Two miles | A two-mile trail spur in the park connects snowmobilers to the 146-mile C.J. Ramstad/North Shore State Trail. |
| Winter | Snowshoe | Anywhere in the park except groomed trails | Snowshoers are welcome anywhere in the park, including off-trail. Please stay off groomed ski or snowmobile trails. The Gitchi Gummi Trail is intermediate, and Fifth Falls Trail is advanced. |
| Winter | Other | Winter hiking trail | The half mile trail to the Upper Falls is maintained for hikers. |
Camping And Lodging
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Drive-in Sites | 69 sites, many wooded | There are no electric sites available in this park. |
| Pull-Through Sites | Three sites | — |
| RV Length Limit | 40 feet | Distance is measured from front of tow vehicle to rear of vehicle being towed. |
| Accessible Sites | 4 | The campground has 4 accessible, drive-in sites. Two are near the restrooms. |
| Group Camp | Three sites, each accommodates up to 50 people | Tents only! Sites share a parking area and rustic toilets. Drinking water nearby. Birch Ridge Camp – Contains two level camping areas. Pebble Creek Camp – Closest to Lake Superior. Nestor Grade Camp – Accessible. Large, open, grassy area. Reserve Now –> |
| Other | One kayak site | This site is first-come, first-served, and is available only to people paddling in from the Lake Superior State Water Trail. |
Reservations go through the DNR system; start from the park page.
On The Water
The DNR lists no water recreation here.
Other Recreation
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Picnic Area | — | There are several picnic areas along the Lake Superior shoreline, at the mouth of Gooseberry River, and at Agate Beach. CCC log and stone picnic tables in these areas have been restored. The paved Gitchi-Gami State Trail now extends from the visitor center to the shoreline picnic area. |
| Picnic Shelter | Two enclosed shelters | Lakeview Shelter is near Lake Superior's shore and has picnic tables, restrooms and a fireplace. Lady Slipper Lodge is wooded, with benches and a fireplace. Call the park to reserve either shelter. |
| Warming House | In the visitor center | Fireplace, restrooms and vending machines. |
| Other | Winter rental of the visitor center theater | Theater rental is available for meetings in the winter, and includes chairs and tables. Daytime use only – not available the rest of the year. Call the park to reserve. |
Amenities
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ranger Station | Open year-round, in the visitor center | — |
| Visitor Center | Accessible, available year-round | Restrooms, vending machines, interpretive displays, large Nature Store, theater, and trail center. Theater rental is available for meetings in the winter, and includes chairs and tables. Daytime use only – not available to rent the rest of the year. Call the park to reserve. |
| Interpretive Exhibit | Many throughout the park | Don't miss the exhibits in the visitor center and on Gateway Plaza. |
| Naturalist Programs | Mainly seasonal | Programs are generally available in the summer, with occasional programs offered throughout the year. Call the park to schedule a program for your school or group. |
| Historic Site | CCC structures throughout the park | Many log and stone buildings and structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Don't miss the CCC displays in the visitor center and on Gateway Plaza. |
| Gift Shop | In the visitor center, open year-round | One of our largest Nature Stores! We have a large variety of books and souvenirs. |
| Rentals | — | Birding kits, sensory kits (headphones, fidget toys, calming toys), and kids discovery kits (activities and stories for age 5-12) are free to check out at the visitor center. |
| Firewood | — | Firewood is available at the ranger station in the summer, and at the visitor center the rest of the year. |
| Ice Sales | — | Ice is available at the ranger station in the summer. |
| Electric Vehicle Charging Station | — | Through a partnership with MNDOT and our local utility, Cooperative Light & Power, we now have a Clipper Creek 120 v. station with two cables in the visitor center parking lot. Free to use. Map of all Minnesota state parks with EV charging stations. |
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
From the town of Two Harbors, follow State Highway 61 northeast approximately 13 miles to the park.
Map © OpenStreetMap contributors. Directions.
Nearby Places
- Split Rock Lighthouse State ParkState Park, about 7 miles away in a straight line
- Tettegouche State ParkState Park, about 19 miles away in a straight line
- George H. Crosby Manitou State ParkState Park, about 29 miles away in a straight line
- Temperance River State ParkState Park, about 40 miles away in a straight line
- Bear Head Lake State ParkState Park, about 54 miles away in a straight line
- Jay Cooke State ParkState Park, about 55 miles away in a straight line
What We Could Not Verify
- Current alerts, closures, trail and campground conditions: they change daily. Read the DNR park page before you go.
- County: the DNR page does not state it, so we do not print one.
- Fees for lodging and group sites, and day-by-day availability: set by the DNR reservation system.
- Permit prices were read on October 19, 2026 and the DNR page shows no effective date.
- The map point is the park’s printed coordinate, not a verified entrance.
Related Pages
More In Duluth & North Shore
- Canal Park and the Lakewalk, Duluth
- Grand Portage National Monument
- Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center
- Split Rock Lighthouse Historic Site
- Superior Hiking Trail
- Cascade River State Park
- George H. Crosby Manitou State Park
- Grand Portage State Park
- Jay Cooke State Park
- Judge C.R. Magney State Park
- Events in Duluth & North Shore
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Gooseberry Falls State Park?
It is near Two Harbors, Minnesota. The DNR address is 3206 Highway 61 East Two Harbors, MN 55616.
How much does it cost to visit Gooseberry Falls 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 Gooseberry Falls 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
- Gooseberry Falls State Park (DNR Recreation Compass data) (read November 1, 2026).
- Minnesota state park fees (DNR) (read November 1, 2026).
- Minnesota state park rules (DNR) (read November 1, 2026).
- Minnesota State Parks Passport, all places, park fees and rules.