Tettegouche State Park Photo: Desertson67 at English Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0
United States › Minnesota

Tettegouche State Park

ByWilderness Experts

Fast facts

  • Size: about 9,300 acres (38 km²)
  • Highlights: Shovel Point, Palisade Head and the High Falls of the Baptism River
  • Trail link: the Superior Hiking Trail
  • Gateway: Silver Bay
  • Managed by: the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

The landscape

Tettegouche stretches from rugged volcanic cliffs on Lake Superior inland to the Sawtooth Mountains, with inland lakes and old-growth northern hardwoods. The Baptism River drops over High Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls entirely within Minnesota. Black bears, moose and peregrine falcons live here.

Best time to go

Summer and fall are the main seasons, with colour peaking in late September. Winter brings skiing, snowshoeing and ice climbing on the cliffs.

Shovel PointPhoto: Kablammo · Public domain · via Wikimedia Commons
Palisade HeadPhoto: JimmyLovrien · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
High FallsPhoto: m01229 · CC BY-SA 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
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Getting there and around

Highway 61 runs along the shore past the visitor center, Shovel Point and Palisade Head. Trails lead inland to the falls, lakes and cart-in and backpack campsites.

Things to do

Short walks lead to Shovel Point and the High Falls. The Superior Hiking Trail runs through the park for longer hikes. Climbers use Palisade Head and Shovel Point, and paddlers explore the inland lakes.

Staying safe

Cliff edges above Lake Superior are sheer; stay behind barriers. The lake is cold and dangerous in waves. Rock near the falls is slippery. Store food from bears, carry layers and leave a trip plan.

Know before you go

This page is a general overview, not a live conditions report, so confirm conditions and reservations with the Minnesota DNR before you go.

Navigation
Coordinates
47.3431, -91.2444
Magnetic declination
2.0° W (2026)

Set this declination on your compass, then align it to the map's north lines; it is the angle between true north and magnetic north, refreshed each year.

How declination works, and how to navigate with a map and compass

49 places in Tettegouche State Park

A spread of the park’s main places shows straight away, and the rest appear as you zoom in. You can also search above, or pick any place from the lists below, and the map will go to it. Places in bold, marked , have a short description.

Getting there 1

Visitor centre

On the trail 10

Trailhead

Campgrounds

Picnic site

Sights 38

Viewpoints

Waterfalls

Lakes

Point of interest

Peaks

Map data comes from third-party sources and may be incomplete or out of date, so carry a current official map (terms).

Trip types
Day hikeCar campingWeekend backpackingRock climbingWinter trip

Looking for one of these closer to home?Destinations near me by trip type →

Terrain
CoastCliffsForestRiversLakes
Key hazards
Cliff edges above Lake SuperiorCold water and big wavesSlippery rock near fallsBlack bearsWinter cold
Best seasons
Summer, Fall (foliage), Winter
Difficulty
Easy to strenuous
Access / trailheads
Highway 61 along the North Shore, about 4 miles (6 km) northeast of Silver Bay.
Water
Lakes and river; filter or treat all water.
Cell / satellite coverage
Fair near Highway 61, patchy inland.
Nearest ranger / SAR / emergency
Emergencies: 911. Minnesota DNR information: 888-646-6367.
Permits & regulations
A Minnesota state park vehicle permit is required. Campsites, including cart-in and backpack sites, are reserved online.
Leave No Trace
Stay back from cliff edges, camp only at reserved sites, store food from bears and pack out all waste.
Conditions by month

October This month

Average high51°F(11°C)11°C(51°F)
Average low34°F(1°C)1°C(34°F)
Rainfall3.4 in(85 mm)85 mm(3.4 in)
Daylight, mid-month10 h 57 minSunrise 7:22 a.m., sunset 6:19 p.m.

What to bring depends on your trip: how long you’re out, where you sleep, and how far you go from the road. The planner builds the list for yours.

Plan a trip here →

Averages for 1991–2020 from NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, measured at the Wolf Ridge Elc station, 3 miles (6 km)6 km (3 miles) away at 1,439 feet (439 m)439 m (1,439 feet). Higher trails run colder, by about 3.5°F for every 1,000 ft (2°C per 300 m)2°C for every 300 m (3.5°F per 1,000 ft) of climb. Daylight runs from sunrise to sunset on the 15th, on the park’s own clock, for a level horizon. Valleys and slopes facing away from the sun are in shade earlier.

Before you go Conditions, permits, fire bans and closures change constantly — we summarise and link out, but always confirm with the managing agency first.
Official park website → Last verified 2026-09-21

Nearby parks

Straight-line distance between park centres. Road distance is usually longer.

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