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Gooseberry Falls State Park
4.9 ★★★★★ 11,005 Google reviews · Running trail in Two Harbors, Minnesota · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Gooseberry Falls State Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
1,682-acre park with scenic waterfalls & diverse wildlife, plus campgrounds, trails & picnic areas.
What runners say about Gooseberry Falls State Park
“The waterfalls are the highlight—especially the Upper, Middle, and Lower Falls—which are easy to reach via short, well-maintained trails.”
“Gooseberry Falls State Park is one of the most scenic and accessible parks along the North Shore of Lake Superior.”
“The fifth falls loop is easy to navigate as it follows along the river and has bridges that allow you to cross over.”
“This state park had easy trails to all waterfalls but more moderate trails to follow for those wanting a challenge.”
Been coming here my entire life, and it’s always consistently amazing. The scenes are beautiful, the facilities are clean, the staff are great when you interact, etc. The only downside we’ve had recently is you have to have reservations about a year in advance (no exaggeration).
You are going to want to carve out a least a few hours for this park! I made the mistake of thinking I could cram it into a long day exploring the northern coast and that it would be just another waterfall stop, but it's so much more than that! The park is beautiful and there are so many trails to explore.
A trip up the North shore isn't complete unless you stop at gooseberry falls. The falls are amazing with well marked and maintained hiking trails. You can go from an easy hike to a more difficult hike with lots of stairs and hills or even more adventurous and go off the trail a bit and explore some of the rocks around…
We were told by many to make the drive here before we head back home when visiting Duluth! This state park had easy trails to all waterfalls but more moderate trails to follow for those wanting a challenge. We loved it and glad we stopped, the views were very worth it!
Trail conditions & character
“I made the mistake of thinking I could cram it into a long day exploring the northern coast and that it would be just another waterfall stop, but it's so much more than that!”
“The trail offers some rough, rocky terrain with roots sticking up at random, and some pretty steep inclines.”
“The trail offers some rough, rocky terrain with roots sticking up at random, and some pretty steep inclines.”
“Pretty busy, the water is accessible, people letting their kids swim, even though the signs strongly discourage it.”
“The fifth falls loop is easy to navigate as it follows along the river and has bridges that allow you to cross over.”
“The main building has a gift shop, bathrooms with flush toilets, water fountains, and lots of information about the park.”
“The main building has a gift shop, bathrooms with flush toilets, water fountains, and lots of information about the park.”
Plan your run at Gooseberry Falls State Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadrestrooms, water — reported by runners
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitednr.state.mn.us
- Phone+1 218-595-7100
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 8 am–10 pm |
| Tuesday | 8 am–10 pm |
| Wednesday | 8 am–10 pm |
| Thursday | 8 am–10 pm |
| Friday | 8 am–10 pm |
| Saturday | 8 am–10 pm |
| Sunday | 8 am–10 pm |
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