Minnesota’s North Shore is home to boreal forest, moose, rugged Lake Superior Shoreline, and some of the best waterfalls in the Midwest. Many of these waterfalls are easy to access and great for day trips. Once you’ve hit the classics like Gooseberry or High Falls, it’s time to dive deeper into the Minnesota Northwoods to find some of the best hidden waterfalls in Minnesota’s North Shore.

Popular waterfalls like Gooseberry Falls State Park, High Falls on the Pigeon River, and Tettegouche State Park get a lot of attention for good reason! They are some of the most impressive waterfalls in the state, easy to access for families, and never disappoint. But the North Shore’s waterfall scene doesn’t end at popular tourist spots. Read on to discover the best hidden and secret waterfalls on the North Shore!

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What to pack for a trip to the North Shore waterfalls:

Summers of Lake Superior can be chilly, particularly in June and early July! Pack for a variety of weather conditions. I recommend…

• A windbreaker. I use this one from Cotopaxi.
• A lightweight, long hiking pant. I use this pair from Kuhl. Want to STRONGLY recommend these! I went up two pants sizes over the winter and have been really struggling with body image issues because of it. These are the only pants I feel like look good on me. They are so flattering, the fit guide is helpful, they’re moisture wicking but also not too “hiker” if you know what I mean, and I just feel good in them. Anyways, if you too are struggling to find pants that don’t make you hate yourself, check out these. (These were gifted to me by Kuhl!)
• A fleece. Any fleece will do, but I really love my Patagonia Synchilla
• Wool baselayers. Five years of heavy paddling and my Smartwool baselayers are the only wool baselayers I’ve had that have really stood the test of time. The basic REI stuff lasted about a season, my Icebreakers top also didn’t really last long. 
• Study hiking boots. I like my Briger Mids. Working in outdoor retail I literally never had anyone try on these shoes and not buy them. Pair with Darn Tough hiking socks. 
• A puffy jacket. It can be cool even in the summer along Lake Superior, especially evenings. My partner Andy (also a wilderness guide) swears by the Patagonia Nano Puff. I like my Helly Hansen Liftloft. 
• A Tent: Read my budget tent recommendations here!
• A day hiking pack: I love my Perimeter 35L, made by local Two Harbors company Granite Gear. I was gifted this pack a few years back and it’s still my go-to day pack.
• Sleeping Bag: Check out the Nemo Disco down sleeping bag for the perfect comfortable set up for chill Minnesota nights. 
• Comfortable sleeping pad
• A raincoat. Any raincoat will do!

Best Hidden Waterfalls on the North Shore of Minnesota:

1) Barrier Falls on the Devil Track River

Barrier Falls is tucked away on the Devil Track River, one of the many hidden waterfalls on the North Shore. With deep and cold water in the summer, the Devil Track River can make for a difficult canyoneering mission for the intrepid hiker. In the winter, the river freezes and makes for a moderate backcountry ski trip out to the frozen falls.

Remember: no ice is safe ice, and check in with a local outfitter to learn more about ice conditions in the area. The trailhead to reach Barrier Falls is in the Devil Track River. Park in the shoulder of Highway 61 northeast of Grand Marais, MN.

Here, backcountry ski guide Andy is wearing Steger Mukluks and a Duluth Pack backpack. He is using Altai Hok Skis.

2) “Hidden Falls” on Temperance River State Park

When it comes to secret waterfalls on the North Shore, you can’t miss the “hidden falls” of Temperance River State Park. This waterfall hides deep in the Temperance River Gorge, and can be accessed by a short hike from Highway 61. While you can’t see the falls themselves, you can hear them below and watch spray from the falls shot up the slot canyon.

The Hidden Falls on the Temperance River is easily one of the coolest hidden waterfalls on the North Shore of Minnesota. Temperance River State Park is also home to some incredible slot canyons.

Note! Pictured is not actually hidden falls, but a different fall on the Temperance. I don’t have a good photo of hidden falls.

3) Fall River Falls near Grand Marais

Fall River Falls is just southwest of Grand Marais, Minnesota, and hidden in plain sight! This waterfall is tucked right off the side of the highway! Fall River Falls can be viewed from the beautiful new bridge and bike path, or from Lake Superior herself! There are not many waterfalls you can view directly from your kayak, but Fall River Falls is one of them.

Fall River Falls is a roughly 6-mile paddle from the Grand Marais Harbor round trip, and should only be attempted by experienced coastal paddlers. Keep in mind the water of Lake Superior in this region will give hypothermia in minutes even in summer months. Read more about Lake Superior sea kayaking safety here.

4) Heart of the Earth Falls

Tucked deep in the Kadunce River Gorge north of Grand Marais, Minnesota, Heart of the Earth Falls takes you deep into a chamber of volcanic rock. Heart of the Earth Falls can be difficult (and dangerous) to reach! The only way to reach this waterfall is to walk up the Kadunce River, which is only possible in winter after a deep freeze, or in the summer low water season.

Heart of the Earth Falls and the Kadunce River are home to some of the best hidden waterfalls on the North Shore of Minnesota. This waterfall and the Kadunce River are a Minnesota State Wayside, meaning there are public parking spots the trailhead.

5) Cross River Falls on the Superior Hiking Trail

Of all the waterfalls on the Cross River, the most impressive are right off of Highway 61. But did you know there are more falls along the Cross River? Back along the Superior Hiking Trail section near Cross River, you can find plenty of smaller cascades and beautiful backcountry campsites. Campsites are on a first come, first serve basis, and please be considerate of SHT thru-hikers who may need a spot.

Parking is available at the Skou Road Trailhead, and it’s around 7-miles round trip out to the last and largest of the falls accesible via SHT. The falls along this section of the Cross River are more remote and less trafficked than other sets of falls in the area, but probably not as impressive.

Basically, if you’re looking to have a nice hidden waterfall waterfall lunch spot away from the crowds and willing to hike a little farther, this is a good spot for you. If you’re looking to see all of the best and most impressive waterfalls in Minnesota with your family of six, I might pass on these falls and hit this list of more accessible and impressive falls instead.

Check out the Best Hiking Trails on the North Shore!

6) Caribou Falls

Caribou Falls are one of the more accessible and family-friendly sets of falls on this list! Located at the edge of Lake County, near Tofte, Minnesota, it’s less than two miles round trip out to the falls and back, and beautiful in all seasons.

Caribou Falls is a great “secret” North Shore waterfall. Walk further along the Superior Hiking Trail for more views of smaller cascades and less crowded picnic spots.

7) Hidden Falls in Cascade River State Park

Cascade River State Park has seven incredible waterfalls right on the main loop. The best part about the falls on the Cascade River is that the short, one mile loop that is easiest to access is will take you to most of these waterfalls!

While the main loop at Cascade River tends to be crowded, there are several other waterfalls along the river. Hike up either side of the Cascade River for a hard hike and more sets of Falls. Alternately, there is a small parking lot on County Road 45 that provides access to the Cascade River. Head south along the trail to reach the Hidden Falls of the Cascade River.

These hidden North Shore waterfalls aren’t as impressive as some of their more popular counterparts, but are a good place to visit for anyone looking to get away from the crowds.

8) Manitou Falls on Lake Superior

Manitou Falls is probably the most beautiful waterfall in Minnesota. This cascade tumbles directly into Lake Superior, framed perfectly by a sea arch upon approach.

The catch? This secret North Shore waterfall is only accessibly by water. Manitou Falls is about twelve miles from the nearest public access point, and all the surrounding land is private. Because 12 miles isn’t a feasible day trip for most new coastal paddlers, access to the falls is limited to those with special permission to visit, advanced coastal paddlers, or people lucky enough to own a big boat with a big motor.

Still, the inaccessibility of Manitou Falls adds to the draw. This is one of the few places left on the North Shore of Lake Superior that feels like it’s from a land before time. I schemed for years about how to get there before I pulled it off. This place is hard to get to. Not many people will make it out there for the foreseeable future, and that’s okay; not every place is meant to be a tourist attraction.

But if you start plotting now, you never know. You might make it out there some day too!

9) Bridal Falls in the Boundary Waters

Though not a hidden waterfall on the North Shore, Bridal Falls in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is worthy of an honorable mention!

This waterfall is a six mile round trip trek to reach by foot, starting at the south Loon Lake Public Access, along the Crab Lake Spur and connecting to the Border Route. I recommend grabbing a good map before you head out on this trek! Swing by Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply in Grand Marais and ask for a Mckenzie Map for the Gunflint area!

Bridal Falls is easily one of the best hidden waterfalls in Minnesota. The hike has beautiful views of Gunflint Lake below, and the falls themselves are incredible.

You come out of the woods, and Bridal Falls above you is a long weeping wall. It’s impossible to fully capture a waterfall like that in any photo. You’ll either have to take my word for it, or get out there yourself.

This list is not all inclusive! There are countless waterfalls on the North Shore. Some of these waterfalls I haven’t been to, others I have but there isn’t parking, or I got lost going there, or they just aren’t impressive enough to make this list.

Where will your next adventure be?

• Explore the 30 best things to do on the North Shore
• Visit the incredible Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
• Check out the best hardcore adventure trips from Minneapolis

check out the Midwest Adventure eBook Bundle for over 300+ pages of detailed adventure planning including hidden waterfalls, the best campsites, off-the-beaten-path adventures, and more covering Sleeping Bear to the end of the Gunflint Trail and everything in-between!

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