Gooseberry Falls State Park
Two Harbors, Minnesota · on Gooseberry River · Gooseberry Falls State Park
Verified · 4 independent sources
- WATER
- river
- FALLS
- Waterfall on site
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $7
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Gooseberry Falls State Park
Gooseberry Falls State Park sits on Minnesota's North Shore of Lake Superior near Two Harbors, where the Gooseberry River tumbles over three basalt-ledge waterfalls (Upper, Middle, and Lower Falls) before reaching the lake. It is one of Minnesota's most-visited state parks, known for both its waterfalls and its Lake Superior beach, and in warm weather it is a popular wading spot and swimming hole, the Gooseberry serving as a river to swim in just off Lake Superior.
The park covers about 1,687 acres along scenic Highway 61, where the Gooseberry River has cut through ancient lava flow layers to form a river gorge before meeting Lake Superior. Civilian Conservation Corps crews built the park's rustic stone and log structures between 1934 and 1941, and a visitor center (opened 1996) sits near the falls with interpretive displays.
Swimming at Gooseberry Falls State Park
First-hand accounts describe the pools below the Middle and Lower Falls as popular for wading and swimming in summer, especially in big plunge pools formed where the lower two falls splash down; in low water some visitors even walk across the riverbed. The park also has a rocky, boulder- and bedrock-lined swimming beach on Lake Superior itself (monitored weekly for water quality by the Minnesota Department of Health from Memorial Day to Labor Day), which is a distinct, colder swim option from the river pools.
How to get to this swimming hole
Located directly off Highway 61 at 3206 MN-61, Two Harbors, MN, roughly 13 miles northeast of Two Harbors; falls and river pools are reached via short paved paths and stairs/walkways from the visitor center area down to the base of the falls.
Parking: Paved parking lot at the visitor center with handicap-accessible and large-vehicle spaces.
The hike in
- Time on foot
- 5-10 minutes walk from the visitor center lot to the falls pools
Difficulty: easy (paved paths and stairs from the lot)
No hike is needed to reach the swimming/wading pools - they're a short, paved-path-and-stairs walk (a few minutes) from the visitor center parking lot down to the base of the Middle and Lower Falls. The park does have 18 miles of separate hiking trails (plus 8 miles of mountain-bike trail) connecting to the Superior Hiking Trail, but those are optional add-on hikes, not required to reach the water.
Footing on the stairs/walkways and streamside rock can be slick when wet.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Pools below the falls have uneven bedrock/boulder footing and current that varies with river flow; Swim Guide's listing for this beach carries a general current-hazard note, and the park itself is best treated as a wade/pool spot rather than a supervised sand beach. The separate Lake Superior beach adds cold-water and wave/current risk. Adult supervision is recommended, especially near the falls overlooks and gorge edges.
Parking
Paid, $7 daily or $35 annual Minnesota State Parks vehicle permit
Large paved lot at the visitor center with handicap-accessible and large-vehicle/bus spaces, plus two free EV charging stations; this is the main access point for both the falls trails and the Lake Superior beach.
Restrooms
Yes
Visitor center restrooms, which double as a 24/7 Minnesota Wayside Rest; a vault toilet is available year-round at the parking lot; additional modern restrooms open seasonally (about May 15-Oct 5) at the Lakeview Shelter near the Lake Superior beach.
Hours
Day-use park hours are 8:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.; the visitor center is open roughly 9am-4pm year-round with extended summer hours, and its restrooms function as a 24/7 Minnesota Wayside Rest even outside those hours.
On the water
Restrictions: No canoe/kayak/SUP launch or rental exists inside the park itself - the Gooseberry River gorge and waterfalls are not paddled, and Gooseberry Falls does not appear on the Minnesota DNR's statewide list of state parks offering paddling rentals. Any paddling near this spot happens on adjacent Lake Superior, which is open, cold, and wave/wind-sensitive water suited to experienced paddlers.
A Duluth outfitter runs guided sea-kayak tours that depart directly from Gooseberry Falls State Park onto Lake Superior near the river mouth; independent kayak/paddleboard rentals are available about 13 miles away in Two Harbors on the sheltered water of Burlington Bay.
Rentals nearby
Single kayaks, tandem kayaks, and paddleboards, self-guided/independent rental
Prices: $25/hr single kayak or paddleboard (1-hr minimum, plus tax); $50/hr tandem kayak; additional time in 15-min increments ($2.50-$10 single, $5-$20 tandem)
On the beach at Burlington Bay Campground, Two Harbors, MN - roughly 13 miles southwest of Gooseberry Falls State Park · Open 7 days/week, 7am-5pm (call ahead to check wind/weather)
Guided sea-kayak tour of the Lake Superior shoreline and lower Gooseberry River estuary near the falls (not a bare rental - includes kayak, paddle, PFD, wetsuit/paddling jacket/gloves depending on water temp, and a guide)
Prices: Starting at $93.00 per paddler, 2-person minimum group, ~90-minute tour
Departs directly from Gooseberry Falls State Park · By request only - contact to schedule; no fixed daily hours published
Backstory
The Minnesota Legislature authorized preservation of the area in 1933 and the park was officially established in 1937; Civilian Conservation Corps crews built the park's characteristic red/blue/brown/black basalt stone structures between 1934 and 1941. The Joseph N. Alexander visitor center opened in 1996.
Gooseberry Falls State Park: FAQ
Does Gooseberry Falls State Park charge a fee?
Minnesota State Parks vehicle permit required: $7 daily or $35 annual permit.
Is Gooseberry Falls State Park kid friendly?
Pools below the falls have uneven bedrock/boulder footing and current that varies with river flow; Swim Guide's listing for this beach carries a general current-hazard note, and the park itself is best treated as a wade/pool spot rather than a supervised sand beach. The separate Lake Superior beach adds cold-water and wave/current risk. Adult supervision is recommended, especially near the falls overlooks and gorge edges.
Do I need to hike to reach Gooseberry Falls State Park?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Gooseberry Falls State Park?
Large paved lot at the visitor center with handicap-accessible and large-vehicle/bus spaces, plus two free EV charging stations; this is the main access point for both the falls trails and the Lake Superior beach.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Gooseberry Falls State Park?
A Duluth outfitter runs guided sea-kayak tours that depart directly from Gooseberry Falls State Park onto Lake Superior near the river mouth; independent kayak/paddleboard rentals are available about 13 miles away in Two Harbors on the sheltered water of Burlington Bay.
When is the best time to visit Gooseberry Falls State Park?
Summer (swimming/wading pools are described as low-water, warm-weather features); Lake Superior beach water quality is monitored weekly from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
What water body is Gooseberry Falls State Park on?
Gooseberry Falls State Park is on Gooseberry River, a natural river verified in USGS hydrography data.
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