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Reviews

Cascade River State Park


User Reviews

Kelsey Kersting

October 17, 2025

A beautiful park with sights, fresh pine scent and very well kept. We have enjoyed the many spots along the river to see the cascades, and the trails are all great. Not a difficult hike and could come back time and time again. Lots of great loops and spur trails with access to incredible sights! And a big shout out to the gift shop—lots of great souvenirs and guide books there.

greenthor3

July 22, 2025

One of the most beautiful parks in MN. Come for the river and stay for the view of Lake Superior. Some of the best trails I've seen in a state park. You can follow the river for miles or you can make a climb up one of the peaks.

Brooke Fischels

July 17, 2025

Great short trail from either the parking lot from Hwy 61 or if you go into the park. The trails connect. Multiple overlooks. Cascade Falls is appropriately named with several connected falls. Trail is beginner level and has stairs. If you go into the park by car, you will pay $7 for a permit that is good all day at all state parks. The trail from inside the park is longer and has more stairs, but a better hiking experience.

Brandon K

July 12, 2025

This trail is amazing. We stopped on a whim between leaving Grand marais and headed to two harbors. We just stopped to explore something new as we had time before our check in. Wow, is all I can say. We have done gooseberry and baptism fall annually and this trail was way above for active water. It was July of 2025, there was a lot of water this year so it made for very active falls. The river was flowing through deep carved out rocks with no way to get near the river itself like you can at the other 2 trails. However the beauty and peace of this hike was amazing. I am not sure if this one has a s much traffic as others as it was Monday afternoon. We did a loop that was I think about 2 miles total. Kids stopped into the ranger station and got scavenger hunt sheets and at 9 and 12 were engaged the entire trail. We were there for over 2 hours walking and hiking and looking for scavenger hunt items. They even offer small prizes, posters and postcard of mn animal. The hike as we got away from the river was beautiful. The trail was fairly easy as ypu got away from the river it was a pretty steady incline and declines. The sad part for me was no lady slipper. I was told by park attendant that they were in bloom and had 4 off the trail. I have always wanted to see one in real life in its natural habitat as a orchid lover and living in MN all my life. The worker said someone dug them up in the last 24 hrs... this being super disappointing. To have the boldness and selfishness to dig up a beautiful flower that is protected by law in MN state grounds for yourself. People need to stop destroying the state parks and start repeating the environment around you. We do not want to see your initials on a tree or look at bark you peeled off that kills these beautiful trees. Sorry soap box moment. This is a great trail well worth the journey we will definitely make the trip to it next time we are up.

Wyatt W. Penke

May 21, 2025

This park is excellent, almost a secret quiet gem. It's probably my second favorite park on the North Shore. Great views really throughout of the lake and river. Great trails that connect with Superior National Forest. Awesome day use area and campground. One of the best hikes on both sides of the river to see the falls, rapids, and cliffs. It is on the smaller side and gets overlooked being farther north. So you get the all the North Shore experiences with none of the crowds of Gooseberry or Tettegouche.

Deb Maxson

May 08, 2022

Very sad to see what’s happened to this beautiful campground. I know it’s early season, but this weekend there was no firewood, overflowing trash bins, and no toilet paper in any of the outhouses. It’s like nobody cares. If you’re going to be open for camping, at least provide the necessities. (Would take 15 minutes to stock the outhouses with TP)

Kathy Weiland

August 20, 2021

Open the visitor Center's store. Why aren't people working anymore wear a mask if you're scared. Health Care Providers, teachers , grocery store people all work everyday why isn't the state park staff willing to work? I noticed a difference in bathrooms are not cleaned as well anymore very disappointing. We are paying taxes and paying State Park fees we expect people to do their job

Cynthia Fremstad

August 16, 2021

BEAUTIFUL scenery. They have amazing hiking trails as well just scroll the road from the lake. Good for tourists and aquatic enthusiasts.

Amos Self

July 09, 2021

SO GLAD we stopped and hiked this! Amazing views even though the water levels were low. Looks like it would be a great place to go camping as well!

Shentz

May 31, 2021

Organized building layout and plenty of information available. Clean bathrooms and a gift shop. Great place to stop for a visit. Can also purchase park passes here.