Cook County Waterfalls

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.

3. Cross River Falls

5. Fall River Falls

7. Kadunce River Falls

9. Lower Poplar River Falls

11. Onion River Falls

13. Portage Falls

15. Thompson Falls

17. Upper Cascade River 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.

19. Upper Falls on Brule River

The hike to the waterfalls is on a wide, easy trail with nearly 200 steps going down to the river. Park in the parking area and start your hike by the informational sign. Follow the trail across the bridge over the Brule River. The trail follows the east bank of the Brule River, gradually climbing higher with scenic overlooks of the river below. ( 1.1 mile hike (2.25-mile round trip) to Devil’s Kettle waterfall, Upper, and Lower Falls) This route is part of the Superior Hiking Trail. .6 mile to the overlook of Upper Falls, with a bench to stop and rest. From here the trail splits: To the left, .2 mile hike to the Lower Falls. Trail is narrow and steep to view the Lower Falls. To the right, .5 mile hike to the Upper Falls and Devil’s Kettle Falls. You will come across a trail that goes down to the left with lots of steps, nearly 200. The steps lead you down to the river to see the Upper Falls. Continue on the main trail to see multiple views of Devil’s Kettle.

1. Bridal Falls

Bridal Falls is one of the most unique waterfalls in the state of Minnesota. The trail to Bridal Falls is a 7 mile round-trip hike in the rugged terrain of the BWCA. The Bridal Falls produce a steady mist of rain. On a sunny day, the area looks very picturesque. The area near the waterfalls is steep and very rocky. Wear hiking shoes or boots with good traction. From Grand Marais, take the Gunflint Trail (County Road 12) to County Road 51. Park at the small parking area that’s located just below the hill. Hike to the top of the hill where you will see a sign marking the “Border Route Trail”. This part of the trail is also called the “Crab Lake Trail”. The first 1.6 miles on the Crab Lake Trail to the creek is fairly easy with wide trails. When you pass the BWCA sign and cross the creek, the trail divides. Take the trail to the left just after the creek. This is short .7 mile hike from the creek to the Border Route Trail. Trail is rocky and muddy in areas. When you reach the “Border Route Trail” sign, the trail divides again. Take the trail to the left. This part of the trail can be steep in areas with scenic overlooks of Gunflint Lake and Canada. Continue on the trail and you will come to a wooden bridge. From there, hike about 118 feet beyond the bridge to where the trail divides. Take the trail to the right and follow a steep trail down to the base of the waterfalls. At the base of the hill the trail divides again. Take the trail to the right to see the beautiful Bridal Falls.

2. Cascade River Falls

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”.

4. Devils Kettle

6. 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. The trail to the High Falls is part of the “Hiking Club Trail”, where you’ll find the password near the falls. .2 mile from the Visitor Center, there is a trail that loops down by the river (first stairs). This side trail loop goes down along the riverbank running parallel to the main trail, overlooking rock walls on the Canadian side of the river. .4 mile from the Visitor Center is where the trail starts, if you want to hike out to the Middle and Lower Falls. .5 mile from the Visitor Center, you have reached the High Falls. The last part of the trail is a wooden boardwalk. There are three viewing platforms that provide different views of the High Falls. When the river is high, you can see, at times, one or two rainbows thru the mist coming off the falls.

8. Lower Falls on Brule River

10. Middle and Lower Falls

Hike the wide paved .4 mile trail from the Visitor Center to the High Falls. Interpretive signs along the trail focus on the history of the area. There are benches along the trail as well. .4 mile from the Visitor Center is where the trail starts, if you want to hike out to the Middle and Lower Falls. Start of the Middle Falls trail is by the trail to the Outhouse, marked with an informational sign. First part of the trail is easy, with a fairly wide trail. The 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. .6 mile from Start of Middle Falls Trail, 1st scenic overlook. .1 mile from 1st scenic overlook to the start of the Scenic Overlook Trail. Scenic Overlook Trail is on the right, marked with a sign. Two overlooks along the trail, one with a view of Lake Superior and the other view is of the Pigeon River flowing thru the valley down below. The second view doesn't have a clear trail, from the first views bench go up and over the small rock wall o see the view. (*216 feet from where the trail starts to the bench and 1st scenic overlook) .6 mile from Scenic Overlook Trail to where trail splits at the Middle Falls loop. Take the trail to the right to do the loop. Total distance 1.3 miles- (same as map) You will approach the Middle Falls with a couple viewpoints. A bench is provided for a rest stop overlooking the Middle Falls. Continue on the trail for another view from the top of Middle Falls, overlooking Lower Falls farther up the river. .5 mile to the Middle Falls from where the trail splits at the Middle Falls loop. .2 mile to the Lower Falls from the bench at the Middle Falls. .2 mile from Lower Falls to the end of loop. The loop comes back to the trail you came in on and takes you back to the High Falls trail.

12. Partridge Falls

14. Temperance River Falls

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.