The Cascades in May 2010
The North Shore of Minnesota has a nice variety of waterfall settings. Some of these waterfalls require longer hikes, whereas others are very accessible. Obviously, those that are more accessible are the most frequently visited. Gooseberry Falls, a very nice set of falls, is probably one of the most popular. The falls on the Split Rock River are probably the least traversed. The falls on the Cascade River fit somewhere in the middle.
The Cascades refers to a group of falls that can be viewed from a specific vantage point along the Cascade River. These falls are upstream from Cascade Falls. At least three falls can be seen from the bridge over the river. The first falls is just thirty or forty feet from the bridge, and is very pretty. The second and third falls are pretty evenly spaced, and are a few hundred feet upstream. It may be rather difficult to get a great view of the second and third falls up close, but I really didn’t explore that very much. I wanted to see The Cascades, but didn’t plan on spending a considerable amount of time there. There were other falls I planned on visiting. There are other falls beginning a mile or so upstream, at least that is what is shown on the map.
Directions:
- The parking area for The Cascades and Cascade River State Park are found off of MN-61 a few miles south of Grand Marais. The parking area is on the left side of the road if you are driving north.
- After finding the parking area for the falls, you can head upstream on either side of the river, but I started on the south side. That seems to provide better views of the falls.
Accessibility: 8/10 (easy/moderate)
Height: 15′
Length of Hike: 0.4 miles round-trip
Where in the World is The Cascades?
The Waterfall Record 
Nice post. Minnesota is one state I’ve never been to, but whenever I do make it there I’ll have to work a visit to the Cascades into it. I tend to think that visiting such falls is essential, precisely because most people don’t think of Minnesota as a place that has them.
My biggest suggestion for is Caribou Falls in MN. It’s along the North Shore (61). The water is clean and the site is beautiful. I can’t even begin to explain how amazing it is.
I complete agree. I’ve been to Caribou Falls, and it is definitely one of my favorites along the North Shore. I randomly choose waterfalls to post, so it will show up in the future.