Fifth Falls

Fifth Falls is located within Gooseberry Falls State Park, the first state park of many along Minnesota’s North Shore. Hiking to Fifth Falls is a great way to get away from the crowded, more popular Lower, Middle, and Upper Falls, and it is still breathtaking. That said, the Middle Falls area is also fun to explore and photograph. The state park is located 13 miles north of Two Harbors on Highway 61. There will be signs before the park entrance; follow signs for Falls Parking.

Begin your hike from the visitor center and follow signs for the Upper Falls. The trail starts out paved and goes underneath Highway 61 as you reach the Upper Falls. This is a fun place to photograph and explore on your way to or from Fifth Falls. Continue on following the trail as it parallels the river. The trail is relatively flat for the majority of the 2 mile hike, gaining just over 100 feet.

You will know you reached Fifth Falls when the trail comes to a bridge crossing the river. Here the trail meets up with the Superior Hiking Trail, and you have the option of following the SHT back to the Upper Falls on the opposite side of the river or following the same route back to the visitor center.