Hikes Full of Views, Waterfalls, and Rock Formations in Tettegouche State Park in Silver Bay, Minnesota

 

North Shore Minnesota Hiking at Tettegouche State Park Delights With Waterfalls, Rock Formations, and an Old Growth Forest

To begin your adventure at Tettegouche State Park, I recommend stopping at the Visitor's Center to orient yourself. Here, you can ask a ranger questions and pay for a day pass if needed. There also is a gift shop, restrooms, and a water bottle fill up station. After a brief stop at the Visitor's Center, we were ready to head out on our adventure!

Hiking to High Falls on the Baptism River

Our first mission while exploring Tettegouche State Park was to hike to High Falls. High Falls is the highest waterfall that is entirely within the borders of the state of Minnesota. While High Falls certainly maintains a status of a jewel of Tettegouche State Park, the hike itself offers a truly magical journey in nature. 

The summer forest at Tettegouche State Park completely enrobed us in green
while the sun danced through the leaves.

The journey began in a bit of an interesting manner  after leaving the parking lot. A short hike from the lot, we found ourselves crossing under a road before being totally wrapped in the forest. Once we emerged from beneath the road overpass, though, wow -- we were in nature heaven! Hiking along the trail, we noted woodland wildflowers and even some that had gone to berry in addition to the beautiful arbors of the forest. Splendid!

Evergreens, aspens and more trees lined the natural dirt trails.

Tettegouche State Park contains an old growth forest with yellow birch as old as 290-years-old, sugar maples as old as 225-years-old, and white cedars as old as 220-years-old. White pine and Norway pine was harvested in the forest so although there are patches of white pine in the preserve, they are not old growth. Yet, the scent of the pines added more nature heaven to the hike to High Falls.

High Falls on the Baptism River fell like chunky, white ribbons over
the rocky cliff at Tettegouche State Park.

We hiked down to reach the level of Baptism River to see High Falls front and center. We did benefit from stairs but in some areas they were steep. The hike was worth it! The 60-foot High Falls tumbled in chunky ribbons over a sculpted rock escarpment almost completely framed by evergreens and etched gray-pink rock. We paused to appreciate the falls from different views from the rocky shore and by hopping the rocks dotting Baptism River. A number of fellow hikers enjoyed a repose viewing the falls while savoring lunch or a snack. 

Two Step Falls splashes into the Baptism River below.

There are additional cascades at Tettegouche including Two Step Falls. We had passed the descent to Two Step Falls on the way to High Falls but opted to head to the furthest point of our hike and visit Two Step on the way back. We found a visit to Two Step Falls to provide another welcome nature respite before heading back.

Hike to Shovel Point

After chasing waterfalls, I checked out the Shovel Point Trail solo while my family took a hiking break. Access to the trail to savor the view from Shovel Point is just behind the Visitor Center. While the hike still offers a but of a climb up on cliffs, hikers will find the trail easier than the hike to High Falls. The hike takes you to an observation point with incredible views of Lake Superior and Shovel Point. Along the trail, I found a few points to enjoy views of the lake.

Along the hike, I paused to enjoy the pines of Tettegouche. Once I reached the highest point of the trail, I basked in a fabulous view of Lake Superior and the shore. The shore revealed pebble beaches, caves, and more. Spectacular!

Palisade Head

It was time to return back to our homebase of  Duluth -- but not before one more adventure! A short drive from the Visitor's Center, we visited a view point for Palisade Head. Standing above Lake Superior on a cliff, we spied Palisade Cliff along the shoreline. Palisade Cliff exhibits columnar joints resulting from a violent volcanic eruption that happened 1.1 billion years ago. Palisade Head also displays the reddish volcanic rock called rhyolite which can be seen in cliffs throughout the preserve. Another remarkable view!

Other Hikes Within Tettegouche State Park

Tettegouche State Park encompasses an astounding 9,346 acres of natural treasures, so there are many more trails to explore. Some of the trails lead to inland lakes that can only be visited by foot. The Cascade Trail takes you along the Baptism River to  Cascade Falls. Other trails lead to pebble beaches along Lake Superior. Palisade Valley offers beautiful vistas. There is so much to discover!

What Does Tettegouche Mean?

What does Tettegouche mean? Tettegouche derives from French Canadian and means a "meeting place." Throughout history, the preserve has been a meeting place - first as a logging camp for the Alger-Smith Lumber Company then as a fishing and camping retreat owned by the "Tettegouche Group." Additionally, black bears congregate at Tettegouche to munch on acorns, hazelnuts, and berries -- another type of gathering in the forest! Of course today, many of us meet at Tettegouche to enjoy her natural treasures!

Clement Quinn, a member of the "Tettegouche Group" would eventually buy the preserve. He would sell it to the deLaittres family in 1971. The deLaittres worked with the Nature Conservancy to preserve the land as a state park. In 1979, the state of Minnesota acquired the land and thus, Tettegouche State Park was born!

Chunky boulders lead up to the silvery, cascading ribbons
of High Falls at Tettegouche State Park.

Lasting Memories of High Falls and Lake Superior

Our day at Tettegouche State Park gifted us with a nature experience we will always remember. The rugged landscape softened by the evergreens is quite picturesque. Views of High Falls, Two Step Falls, the Baptism River, Lake Superior, rock formations, bold cliffs, pebble beaches, and more left lasting impressions. We would love to enjoy another day at Tettegouche exploring additional trails and landscapes!

Hiking Tips:

• Remember to stay hydrated.
• If you need to fill up your water bottle, there is a station in the Visitor's Center.
• Use sunscreen.
• Wear proper hiking shoes.
• Consider hiking sticks because the terrain can be rocky and uneven.
• Pack a picnic -- you may enjoy one once you reach High Falls!