Road Trip to Visit Cascade River State Park in Minnesota

Apr 2, 2025

Today we’re getting ready for our first big road trip of the Spring season, and we’re headed to Cascade River State Park in Minnesota. Named for the beautiful river that cascades through the park in a series of waterfalls and into the gorge, this geological state park is a must-see. There’s plenty of outdoor fun to be had for all ages and all interests, and we’re sure you’re going to have a memorable experience! So what are you waiting for? It’s time to hit the road to adventure in your new car from Classic Auto Group of Waukegan!

The Cascade River flows down a variety of ledges throughout the park for a total drop of 900 feet as it makes its way to Lake Superior. Stop by any of the lookout viewing points above the river, or trek over to the footbridge that spans across it and take in its magnificent, powerful beauty.

The park has 18-miles of hiking trails which pass through hardwood-conifer forests filled with spruce, fir, cedar, aspen, birch and maple. The paths here were created back in the 1930s, long before the park’s initiation into official state-park designation, thanks to the Civilian Conservation Corps. The trails here include Cascade River Lower Loop, Lake Superior Shoreline Trail, Lookout Mountain Loop, Superior Hiking Trail, and the Gitchi-Gami State Trail which cuts its way through the park. Visitors recommend hiking up the river via the Waterfall Trail Loop and then take the spur trails down to the river to experience the stunning waterfalls; The Cascades include 5 different waterfalls, 4 smaller and 1 large, as the river makes its way through the rocky gorge.

There are 40 drive-in camp sites, 4 pull-through camp sites, 5 backpacking campsites, and two group camp sites. Showers and flush toilets are available seasonally, and vault toilets are available year round throughout the park for your convenience. You can reserve your campground site in advance on the MN Department of Natural Resources website. The park also has seven picnic sites and an enclosed picnic shelter with wood stove, as well as a winter warming house. If you’re looking for firewood or ice, both are available at the park office for your convenience.

In addition to camping and hiking, there’s ample opportunity for fishing, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding. The Cascade River is a top notch fishing spot. Fly fishing is a very popular activity, and you can grab your local fishing permit in the nearby towns like Lutsen and Grand Marquis. The tributaries surrounding the river and lake are perfect for year-round fishing. Be on the lookout for steelhead, brook trout, and even salmon!

This stellar park is also home to an abundance of wildlife thanks to its hilly terrain and plentiful water sources. Nature lovers will be excited to spot majestic moose, timber wolves, pine martens, coyotes, black bears, river otters, white-tailed deer, salamanders, snapping turtles, racoons, foxes, porcupines, bats, a variety of songbirds and birds of prey, and of course plenty of fish. The best places to spot the wild animals are from the Superior Hiking Trail, Lookout Mountain Loop, and Lake Superior Shoreline Trail. This North Shore region state park offers a variety of habitats that also have a variety of wildflowers, which attract plenty of pollinators and animals as well as putting on a spectacular show. Keep your eyes peeled in the mossy clumps for rogue frogs, salamanders, and interesting insects.

As you can see, there’s no shortage of beauty and excitement at this 118-acre park along Lake Superior. We can’t wait to visit this year, how about you? Let us know in the comments what areas of the park you’re excited to explore!