At 63 feet high, the High Falls of the Baptism River is the second-highest waterfall within Minnesota’s state borders. It makes a striking starting point for your trip to Lake County: natural attractions range from waterfalls and shoreline views to rock formations shaped by waves. There are also trails of varying lengths and traces of maritime history.
Waterfalls, Coastal Views and Rock Formations
Tettegouche State Park offers views of sea caves, a sea stack and Palisade Head. The viewpoints showcase different coastal features: cavities in the rock, a single sea stack and the named lookout at Palisade Head. Those interested in landforms will find several specific details to focus on here.
Gooseberry Falls State Park brings together waterfalls, a river gorge and a stretch of Lake Superior shoreline. Water and the gorge sit alongside the coastline as distinct features of the park. At Iona’s Beach Scientific and Natural Area, the focus shifts from the water to the rocks: pink rhyolite and felsite are found there in the form of wave-rounded rock shingles. Their color, rock type and wave-shaped form give this place a distinct geological theme.
Trails with Different Destinations
A 1.7-mile hike in Tettegouche State Park leads to historic Tettegouche Camp on the shore of Mic Mac Lake. The route pairs a specific hiking distance with a named destination on the lakeshore. Its length and conditions may change slightly due to maintenance work.
For comparison, a section of the Superior Hiking Trail runs four miles along the Gooseberry River. The shorter hike leads to a historic camp; for the longer trail section, the route along the river is its defining feature. The paved Gitchi-Gami State Trail rounds out the options: it runs through Temperance River State Park.
Lighthouse History and Museum Visits
Two Harbors Light Station is the oldest continuously operated lighthouse on Minnesota’s North Shore. It adds a maritime note to the page’s natural attractions. Together with the waterfalls, coastal landscapes and trails, it offers a mix of natural and historical features to explore.
Different guidance applies to visits to the two museums. D&IR Railroad Depot Museum is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; check current hours before your visit. 3M Birthplace Museum will be closed during the 2026 season for repair work. This distinction matters for planning: daily opening hours are listed for the Depot Museum, while the closure of 3M Birthplace Museum is specifically for the 2026 season.
Discover more destinations: Two Harbors, Silver Bay, Sherburne County, Waseca County, Crow Wing County, Kanabec County, Winona County, Olmsted.
For the overview of destinations: Minnesota.
