Escape The Crowds On This Scenic, Family-Friendly North Shore Waterfalls Hike

When most visitors to Minnesota's North Shore want to do some casual hiking and see waterfalls, Gooseberry Falls tends to be the go-to place - and for good reason.

With a few different waterfalls all accessible on a well-maintained trail within a short distance of the parking area, there's a reason this spot draws crowds of thousands each weekend during the peak visitor season.

If you're looking to see waterfalls and enjoy a nice (not very challenging) hike while not fighting hundreds of other people during your visit, I have another spot you need to check out!

This North Shore waterfalls hike offers family-friendly accessibility without the crowds

The Minnesota North Shore has a wealth of hiking opportunities that offer spectacular scenery of rivers, waterfalls, lakes, and even sweeping panoramic views.

Not all of these spots are very accessible, however, if you are bringing kids with you, or maybe you just don't want to navigate steep trails with tricky terrain. Enter the Temperance River Hiking Club Trail between Schroeder and Tofte.

READ MORE: Do you know what all of these buoys on Minnesota's lakes and rivers mean?

This trail is located along the Temperance River, the namesake of Temperance River State Park (where the trail is located).

This 2.2-mile trail isn't without some elevation changes, and it isn't paved like much of the waterfalls trails at Gooseberry Falls, but it is still a very accessible and well-maintained trail for most people to enjoy some incredible scenery without an aggressive workout.

How's the hike? What is there to see on the Temperance River Hiking Club Trail?

While it might be a challenge for those with mobility issues, this is a pretty accessible trail for most. The parking area is right along Highway 61, with spots on both sides of the road. The trail is on the "inland side" (west side) of the highway. More on what's on the other side of the highway in a bit.

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It isn't flat, but it isn't too aggressive. There is about 250 feet of elevation gain over the course of the loop, some of which is done up a rock stairway and a few slightly steeper spots on the trail. The trail is well-marked and well-maintained, and offers a pretty accessible way to see some great sights without the challenge of some other trails on the North Shore.

In all, the hike takes about an hour. It all depends on how much time you want to spend on the sights and how quickly you want to walk.

What will you see? Well, a majority of the trail leads you along the Temperance River, where you'll catch a series of waterfalls and cascades. Some of the waterfalls closer to the head of the trail are nestled into rock caverns, which make them really neat to look at.

There are designated viewing areas off the main trail for many of these waterfalls, so you can catch a nice view without having to veer way off the trail.

What else do I need to know before hiking this trail?

Most of the trail is a loop, except for the very beginning/ending part. Staying left (along the river) will give you head-on views of the waterfalls, which I would recommend.

No matter which way you go, you'll have to do some uphill, with the return part of the loop being downhill.

While the trail is well-marked, it is a good idea to reference a map if you're unsure which direction to take at the northernmost part of the trail. Where the loop cuts back, the Superior Hiking Trail continues further along the river, which might be more of a hike than you were anticipating.

Again, it is well-marked and there is a sign at the intersection, but just make sure you pay attention, as this person learned by mistake in their TripAdvisor review of the trail.

I mentioned something on the other side of the highway. There is a small hike that leads down to the mouth of the Temperance River as it heads into Lake Superior. It offers some nice views and a neat waterfall under the road bridge (as seen above).

There are several additional trails around the park, so be sure to explore some more if you have time! You can see a map of Temperance River State Park here.