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The new visitor center opened in 1996. You can pick up a map, brochures for area attractions and chat with the park rangers. Housed in the visitor center is a nice gift shop with a nice collection of posters, books, postcards, nature guides and other bric brac. There are modest displays higlighting the flora and fauna and explaining the history of the park. There is also a small theater which shows a nature film about Lake Superior's northern shore.
Written May 9, 2005
Website: www.dnr.state.mn.us
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Unfortunately, the churning of the Gooseberry River brings lots of sediment in the springtime when the falls are at their peak volume. Therefore, you cannot reasonably expect to see pristine white falls in the spring. Nor can you expect to see the falls at their explosive best when the river runs clear later in the summer. Give and take.
Written May 9, 2005
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Take the Falls Loop Trail. It is only a round trip of a half mile or so. The Upper Falls, Middle Falls and Lower Falls are all within several hundred yards of each other so it is no great chore to visit vantage points to take in all three falls.
For those wanting to stretch their legs a bit more, a longer hike of several miles to Fifth Falls is available. Fifth Falls is not any more scenic than the set of falls closer to the visitor center, but it is always nice to walk amongst the birch and pines.
Written May 9, 2005
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The hike from the visitor center, just off Highway 61, to the shores of Lake Superior is about 2 miles round trip. The trails are well maintained and though the walk back is uphill it shouldn't be too much of a strain. Keep your eyes open, it is always a possibility that wildlife may be lurking around the next bend. You probabbly wont see a wolf or a cougar, though they inhabit this region of Minnesota, but maybe a blue heron, deer or even a fox.
*At the time of writing the trail to the lake is closed because an ice dam busted out a bridge, but I'm sure the trail will be reopened by the summer of 2005.
Updated May 9, 2005
Gooseberry Falls State Park: Camping in MN
EllenH Says: Some people like to have a nice shower and real bathroom when camping without going the KOA route. (some KOA's are nice...) Not only did this have beautiful stone and log buildings built by the civilian conservation corps, but they have a very interesting visitor center...
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Apparently, the beavers did not take the winter off and sun themselves in Arizona or Florida as many Minnesota snowbirds do. There was ample evidence that the beavers had been hard at work all winter long, felling trees to dam streams and build lodges. Beavers are driven by instinct to fell the birch trees, but it is a shame to see a beautiful birch cut down in its prime.
Written May 9, 2005
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Just up the road, maybe 10 miles or less, there is another park, Split Rock Lighthouse. I don't remember that there was any camping up there but the lighthouse itself was very cool. Built between 1905 and 1910 after a November gale in 1905 causing shipwrecks, this lighthouse has been restored to its 1920's appearance.
Written Aug 24, 2004
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The vegetation is incredible and Lake Surerior is beautiful. Take the time to hike through the park, spend some time at their wonderful and informative visitors center. Minnesota certainly puts a lot of effort into their State Parks.
Written Aug 24, 2004
Phone: 218) 834-3855
Website: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/gooseberry_falls/index.html
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Favorite thing: Gooseberry Falls is one of a series of superb Minnesota State Parks along State Route 61 north of Duluth. I found all of the parks to be well-managed, with excellent visitor facilities, picnic spots, well-marked trails and easy access from the road. Each of the parks charges a small day-use fee, but if you are stopping just to look around briefly and take a few snapshots, there's no charge.
I hope that the people of Minnesota appreciate the splendors which have come under their stewardship - and that they continue to provide financial support (through their state budget) to keep these places accessible to travellers from nearby and far away!
Written Oct 4, 2005
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Favorite thing: . . . and the Lower Falls are "below" the bridge. Both are an easy 5--7 minute walk from the Visitor's Center and parking areas.
Written Oct 4, 2005
Gooseberry Falls State Park is the first of a series of wonderful state parks on the north shore of Lake Superior north of Duluth. Highway 61 bisects Gooseberry, so there is no excuse not to stop and...
Gooseberry falls state park MN
In our travels across the United States we generally camp in state parks. Our assement of a state has come to be based on how nice their parks are. One of the very nicest state parks we have ever...
Taking a gander at Gooseberry Falls
If you want to see a lot of water pouring down the falls, go in the early spring. (Check out Zrim's Gooseberry Falls page to see what I mean.) On the other hand, if you are passing through in...
You know how it is when you're driving along the highway, see a road sign that captures your fancy, and you say "let's see what that is?" Well that's how we happened to find Gooseberry Falls. We were...
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