Cook County Parks

Disclamer: While we do our best for accuracy points on the map, the points on the map are not exact and should be used as a guide. Always pay attention and follow posted signs. If you feel that we have an error or you have any suggestions, Contact Us.

2. Grand Portage State Park

Grand Portage State Park is located along the north shore of Lake Superior near the U.S./Canadian border. The park is part of the Grand Portage Indian Reservation. The park has a Visitor Center/Museum with a small Gift Shop, hiking trails to several waterfalls including the High Falls, Geocaching, a pavilion with picnic sites, and a wildlife viewing platform overlooking the Pigeon River. Park Rangers are also on hand during the summer to answer any questions you may have. No camping….Day-Use ONLY at this State Park. This park also serves as a Roadside Rest Stop with travel information provided in the lobby. The lobby and restrooms are open 24 hours/day. There is a pavilion with picnic tables near the viewing platform overlooking the river. There are also 5 personal picnic sites including 4 with a view overlooking the Pigeon River.
Hiking Trails/Waterfalls:
High Falls – Grand Portage State Park is home to several waterfalls on the Pigeon River including the highest waterfall in Minnesota at 120 feet....the High Falls. Hike the wide paved ½ mile trail from the Visitor Center to the High Falls (wheel chair accessible trail). Interpretive signs along the trail focus on the history of the area. There are benches along the trail to the High falls as well.
Middle Falls and Lower Falls: The 2.5 mile trail to Middle and Lower falls is narrower and rougher in areas with rocks and tree roots across the trail. Hike the rugged loop thru the woods to the falls. The trail has multiple scenic overlooks and a few benches to rest along the way.
-A short .2-mile hiking path from the Visitor Center thru the picnic area leads to a historical marker (commemorating the Webster-Ashburton Treaty). The landmark at the end of the trail is the international border between the U.S. and Canada. Trails are open year round. During the winter, the trails are open for snowshoeing. During Spring and Summer, look for wildflowers while hiking the trails as well.
Geocaching:
Stop at the Visitor Center, located at the entrance of the State Park to receive the first set of coordinates.
Picnic Areas:
There is a pavilion with picnic tables near the viewing platform overlooking the river. There are also 5 personal picnic sites including 4 with a view overlooking the Pigeon River.
Wildlife Viewing Platform:
You will find a viewing platform just off the trail from the Visitor Center overlooking the Pigeon River. Wildlife that can be seen in the State Park are white-tail deer, osprey, eagle, otter, beaver, fox, rabbit, squirrels, species of birds, and more.

4. Temperance River State Park

Temperance River State Park Temperance River State Park is located along the north shore of Lake Superior along highway 61, about 1.5 miles north of Schroeder. This state park is located in a region where the river cuts through rock gorges and has trails along both sides of the river. Temperance River State Park offers a variety of outdoor activities including hiking, viewing of the Temperance River waterfalls, camping, access to Superior Hiking Trail, cross country skiing, geocaching, picnic area near the campgrounds along Lake Superior, fishing, access to the Gitchi-Gami Bike Trail, snowmobile trails, and more. There is designated parking on either side of highway 61 for free entry into the state park. Additional parking is located past the State Park headquarters, where a day pass or annual permit is required. State Park maps are available at the park office.
Hiking:
Temperance River State Park offers about 22 miles worth of hiking trails with several trails to choose from. -Take a short hike on the Lower Falls loop between highway 61 and Lake Superior. -Take a longer hike to see multiple waterfalls on the upper side of Temperance River. -Hike out to Carlton Peak for a scenic overlook of Lake Superior. -Hike down to the Lake Superior shoreline for scenic views of the lake.
Waterfalls:
The Temperance River State Park features multiple waterfalls for you to enjoy along the Temperance River. The hike to the waterfalls starts at the parking area along highway 61. Hike in on either side of highway 61 on the Temperance River. The trails are wide and well maintained with some stairs to climb. You can take a short .1 mile loop to view the Lower Falls between highway 61 and Lake Superior. Follow the loop across the river and back to the roadside parking on highway 61. For more waterfalls, continue on the trail on the other side of highway 61. Hike .8 miles (round-trip) to see multiple waterfalls along the Temperance River. Stay on the right side of Temperance River. The trail is very rocky with overlooks of the river and multiple waterfalls along the way. Watch your step along the edges when viewing the waterfalls. To view the Upper Falls on the Temperance River, take a drive on highway 61 to Forest Road 343. Take Forest Road 343 and look for a small unmarked parking area on the right side of the road. Hike the narrow dirt trail down towards the river. At the bottom of the hill, you will find some stairs and the trail comes to a “T” (there is a trail that goes off to the left and to the right). Follow the trail to the left along the Temperance River heading to the Upper Falls. The hike to this waterfall is .4 miles round-trip. Make sure you follow the same trails back to the small unmarked parking area.
Camping:
Temperance River State Park is located along highway 61 and Lake Superior. The State Park has a campground with 52 drive-in sites with 6 Cart-in campsites. The campground is open for the summer season from May through October. Public restrooms with showers are available.
Geocaching:
Stop at the Park Office which is located at the entrance of the State Park to receive the first set of coordinates. Firewood and Park Permits are available at the Park Office too.
Fishing:
Accessible from the State Park…. Please check with the DNR or the fishing regulations handbook for limits and regulations regarding each fish species.

1. Cascade River State Park

Cascade River State Park is located along the north shore of Lake Superior along highway 61 near Grand Marais. This state park offers quite a few outdoor activities including hiking, viewing of the Cascade River waterfalls, camping, access to Superior Hiking Trail, geocaching, picnic areas along Lake Superior, fishing, cross country skiing, snowmobiling trails, and more. There is designated parking along highway 61 for free entry into the state park. Additional parking is located past the State Park headquarters, where a day pass or annual permit is required.
Hiking:
Cascade River State Park offers about 18 miles worth of hiking trails with several loops to choose from. -Take a short hike on the lower loop for amazing views of the Cascade River waterfalls. For more waterfalls on the Cascade River, continue on the trail for about a mile beyond the Cascade bridge. -Hike the Lookout Mountain Loop for panoramic views of the Cascade River valley and Lake Superior. -Take the trail down to Lake Superior shoreline for scenic views of the lake.
Waterfalls:
The Cascade River State Park features multiple waterfalls and cascades for you to enjoy along the Cascade River. The hike to the waterfalls starts at the parking area along highway 61. Hike in on either side of the Cascade River. The trails are wide and well maintained with some stairs to climb. A short .2 mile hike to the Cascade bridge provides multiple views of the waterfalls on the Cascade River. Follow the loop across the river and back to the roadside parking on highway 61. To see more waterfalls, continue on the trail by the Cascade bridge that follows the west side of the Cascade River. The trail is rocky with tree roots protruding in areas. At .4 miles from the Cascade bridge, the trail comes to a split. To the left, the trail continues to Lookout Mountain; and to the right, the trail takes you down “96 Steps to River”. Take the trail to the right, down 96 steps. Trail continues along the river for views of multiple waterfalls. At .7 miles, you will come to a bigger waterfall that is “Unnamed Falls”. To see the “Hidden Falls” on the Cascade River, continue on the trail beyond the “Unnamed Falls” for a couple more miles. If you prefer a shorter hike, drive to the other side of the Cascade River State Park. Take highway 61 to County Road 7. From County Rd 7, take County Road 44 to County Road 45 (Pike Lake Road). Look for the Superior Hiking Trail parking area just before the Cascade River bridge. A Superior Hiking Trail sign indicates the trail to Hidden Falls is .3 mile. Follow the trail down under the bridge and continue along the river’s edge. The trail continues along the river with the water dropping just off to the side of the trail. Since the trail is close to the river and is surrounded by trees and a rock gorge, the overall views of the waterfall are not very good. Across the river, you will notice a very high ridge with a narrow waterfall flowing down. You can view the Hidden Falls from the top of that ridge as well. Just before you reach Pike Lake Road (County Road 45), there is a small pull-off area on the side of the road. A short trail leads you to the edge of the ridge overlooking the Hidden Falls. Hike the Lookout Mountain Loop for panoramic views of the Cascade River valley and Lake Superior. A short .2 mile hike to the Cascade River bridge, from highway 61, provides multiple views of the waterfalls on the Cascade River. At the Cascade Bridge, there is a sign for “Lookout Mountain” trail. From the Cascade Bridge, the hike to Lookout Mountain is 1.1 miles. This trail is also part of the Superior Hiking Trail. The trail comes to a split at .4 miles (from the Cascade Bridge). To the left, the trail continues to Lookout Mountain; and to the right, the trail takes you down “96 Steps to River”. Take the trail to the left to Lookout Mountain. Trail is steep in areas and provides scenic overlooks of the Cascade River valley. *You can also start this hike by the state park campground instead of parking along highway 61.*
Camping:
This State Park has a campground with 40 drive-in campsites, 2 group campsites, and 5 backpack campsites. Cascade River State Park Campground is open for the summer season from May through October. Public restrooms with showers are available. Geocaching: Stop at the Park Office which is located at the entrance of the State Park to receive the first set of coordinates. Firewood and Park Permits are available at the Park Office too.
Fishing:
Accessible from the State Park…. Please check with the DNR or the fishing regulations handbook for limits and regulations regarding each fish species.

3. Judge C.R. Magney State Park

Judge C. Magney State Park (named after Judge Clarence R. Magney) is located on the north shore of Lake Superior along Highway 61, about 14 miles northeast of Grand Marais and about 25 miles from the U.S.-Canadian border. This state park is home to three waterfalls: Lower Falls, Upper Falls, and the famous Devil’s Kettle waterfall. Devil’s Kettle is an unusual waterfall with rock formations on the Brule River. Half of the river’s water disappears into a 50 foot bottomless cauldron. The State Park also offers hiking trails, Geocaching, camping, remains of historic sites, trout fishing on the Brule River, and more.
Hiking:
This Park provides 9-miles of hiking trails along the river and thru the woods with more being added for geocaching. Access to the Superior Hiking Trail by the parking area. 1-mile self-guided nature trail Snowshoeing trails in the winter time
Camping:
This State Park has a campground with 27 drive-in sites and is open in the summer season from mid-May thru late-September. Public Restrooms with Showers are available. Ranger Station at the entrance of the state park sells firewood and park permits.
Geocaching:
Stop at the Ranger Station located at the entrance of the State Park to receive the first set of coordinates. If you don’t have a GPS unit, ask the Ranger at the Ranger Station if they have one you can borrow. They sell firewood and Park Permits at the Ranger Station too.
Historical Sites:
The remains of the 1930s WPA camp are still evident throughout the park.
Fishing:
Accessible from the State Park…. Fishing in the Brule River for Rainbow Trout as well as other species of fish. Please check with the DNR or the fishing regulations handbook for limits and regulations regarding each fish species.