Each year, approximately a half million people travel up Lake Superior’s North Shore to explore Tettegouche State Park, making it one of Minnesota’s most popular parks. From kayaking, hiking, to camping, to rock climbing, Tettegouche has something that just about every outdoor enthusiast will love. Above all else, however, the High Falls of the Baptism River are the most sought-after attraction in the park. At over 70 feet tall, the High Falls are the highest waterfall contained entirely within Minnesota’s borders, making them a true must-see stop.
To make things even better, hiking to the High Falls is relatively easy, with well-maintained paths and a total out-and-back mileage of just over 3 miles. This makes this hike perfect for families with small children, or those simply not looking for an all day outing.
With that said, here’s everything you need to know to tackle this classic stretch of Minnesota’s North Shore and bag one of the best waterfalls in the state!
High Falls – Tettegouche State Park Hiking Guide
Parking
Most people access the High Falls by parking at the Tettegouche State Park visitor center on Highway 61. The visitor center is located on the right hand side of Highway 61, about 59.5 miles northeast of Duluth, MN. With clean, well-maintained bathrooms, access to water fountains, and ample parking, it is the easiest place to start your High Falls adventure.
Alternatively, and for a shorter hike, you can park at the Superior Hiking Trail parking lot located on Highway 1. For this option, you’ll go just a bit past the visitor center and turn left towards the town of Finland (check out our guide to hiking Fantasia Overlook for directions). However, our guide assumes you will park in the visitor center parking lot.
From the parking lot, you’ll walk along the road towards the campground, following signs for High Falls. The start of the trail will be just a couple hundred feet up the road on your right.
The Trail
High Falls Trailhead to Two Step Falls Junction
This first section of the trail is about 1 mile long, climbing gradually most of the way (about 200 feet of gain). After climbing the initial staircase pictured above, the trail sneaks beneath the Highway 61 overpass. From this vantage point, you’ll be able to glimpse the Baptism River snaking along below you. Take a look now, because you won’t see it again until the High Falls, unless you take the detour down to Two Step Falls mentioned below.
From here, the trail ducks into the forest. Since High Falls is the most popular trail in Tettegouche State Park, the trail is wide, well-maintained, and nicely updated. In recent years, several new boardwalks have been built, making this really feel like a walk in the park. Pardon the pun! Enjoy the tranquility of the forest as you make your way up to the well-marked Two Step Falls junction (2nd photo in the gallery below).
Detour to Two Step Falls
If you don’t mind a descent of about 100 feet (and two hundred stairs), Two Step Falls is a worthwhile detour on your journey to the High Falls. Your quads will be burning on the way back up, but Two Step is deserving of its own spot on your Tettegouche itinerary. If it is a hot day, it can be nice to get out of the woods and cool off by the river before continuing your hike.
The descent from the main High Falls trail to Two Step Falls consists of two hundred stairs! 
Lower Two Step Falls. If you’re feeling adventurous, climb up the rock on the right edge to access the upper falls. 
Upper Two Step Falls.
After you’ve enjoyed the sights and sounds of Two Step Falls, its time to make your way back up the stairs and continue towards the High Falls!
Two Step Falls Junction to High Falls Junction
Once you’ve made it back up to the main High Falls hiking trail, you’ve only got about half a mile left to go. Keep heading up the trail, and note that after about .2 miles, you will have synced up with the main Superior Hiking Trail route. The trail to your right will take you to the Highway 1 trailhead mentioned above as an alternative starting point.
After this junction with the SHT, the trail will begin a gradual descent to the High Falls. There are a couple of spots that can get a little muddy and eroded, but overall the trail is well-maintained. A nice series of long wooden steps ensures you will have good footing as you make your way downwards (pictured below looking up the trail).
By now, you’ll hear it – a dull roar, like an airplane taking off or a football stadium heard from outside. The thunderous sound of the High Falls will get your pulse going long before you lay eyes on your objective. Before you know it, you will reach another junction in the trail, with signage telling you that you have arrived at the High Falls area. Going left will take you down a flight of stairs towards the bottom of the High Falls, while continuing onwards will lead you up towards the top and the famous swinging bridge over the baptism river. We’ll head down first!
Lower High Falls
Make your way down the stairs, and you’ll find yourself once again on the banks of the Baptism River. Look to your right, and you’ll be face to face with the vista that you see in all the pictures. The High Falls tumble down a tower cliff into a wide pool, flanked by rocky outcroppings on either side. Depending on the time of year, you can string up a hammock in the trees, make your way along the rocks to feel the spray of the waterfall, or even cool off with a short swim in the pool beneath it. Whatever you do, slow down and savor it, because the High Falls are truly a beautiful sight.
Upper High Falls
Once you have taken in the sights and sounds of the High Falls from beneath, it is time to retrace your steps. Head back up the stairs to the junction in the trail. This time, you are going to head further up and make your way to the top of the High Falls.
There are three main attractions while you are above High Falls. First, you’ll come across a viewpoint from the top of a rocky outcropping on the same side of the river as you are on. From here, you can watch the Baptism River drop into the void and crash down into the pool below. It offers a whole new perspective to appreciate why the High Falls of Tettegouche State Park are one of the North Shore’s signature locations. This vantage point also allows you to look downriver and appreciate the beauty of the Baptism River valley.
Next, you’ll keep moving and find yourself at Tettegouche State Park’s famous swinging bridge. In reality, it is in good shape, but the way it bounces as you walk across while the river rushes below you gives it a fun, rickety feeling.
Once you’ve crossed the bridge, you can proceed to another overlook that mirrors the first, perched above the high cliff on the far side of the river. If you did want to make it a much longer day, you can ascend to the top of the bluff and continue on the Superior Hiking Trail, or link up with one of Tettegouche State Park’s other hiking trails. But since this guide is for the High Falls specifically, this is our end point.
When you’ve taken in your fill of the High Falls, head back across the bridge and make your want back to the visitor center parking lot.
Conclusion
Hiking the High Falls in Tettegouche State Park is something that every outdoor enthusiast who visits the North Shore needs to do at least once. Although it is highly trafficked, the beauty of the falls and the accessibility of the hike justify this trail’s mass appeal. Repeat visitors looking for solitude will want to get to the park early in the morning. Get out there and enjoy it!
High Falls Tettegouche State Park Day Hike – Summary & Trail Stats
- Trail System – Tettegouche State Park / Superior Hiking Trail
- Distance – 3.5 miles out and back, 1.75 miles each way (including detour to Two Step Falls)
- Elevation Gain – 614 feet (approximately 100 on detour to Two Step Falls)
- Best For – day hikers who love waterfalls, and anyone wanting to experience a North Shore classic
- May Not Be Great For – If you’re someone seeking solitude, get on the trail early – otherwise, weekends can get very crowded. Those with bad knees may be limited by the many steps.
Getting to the High Falls in Tettegouche State Park
From Duluth
- Follow Highway 61 northbound from Duluth, MN for 59.5 miles
- Turn into Tettegouche State Park visitor center
From Grand Marais
- Follow Highway 61 southbound from Grand Marais, MN for 51.1 miles
- Turn left into the Tettegouche State Park visitor center
For Your GPS
Tettegouche Visitor Center, 5702 MN-61, Silver Bay, MN 55614
Get new content delivered directly to your inbox.