Gooseberry Falls Campground Contact Station
Tourist information center
5 (1)
Two Harbors, MN 55616
Restroom
FallsMN
Silver Bay North Shore Swimming Spots
By Hidden Swimming Holes Team · Record updated
Background: generated illustration, not a photograph of this location.
Review the former Gooseberry and Tettegouche swimming recommendations, the Upper Falls prohibition and official waterfall-viewing information.
Swimming permission unconfirmed
This broad two-park entry does not identify a verified swimming entrance. Gooseberry Falls swimming is prohibited at Upper Falls. That restriction is not a park-wide ban: DNR's map mentions wading along the Fifth Falls trail. The former Tettegouche High Falls swimming recommendation remains unverified and is withdrawn.
Official sources checked:
Water type
Falls
Access
Swimming unconfirmed
Fee
Check the selected park and parking area. Gooseberry's visitor center/DOT Wayside parking lot is exempt from the park vehicle permit requirement according to the 2026 map. Other park parking requires a permit.
Best season
Check current trail conditions and seasonal services for sightseeing. No swimming season or water-temperature promise is verified for this regional entry
Nearby towns
Duluth, Two Harbors, Silver Bay
Water body
Gooseberry River And Baptism River; Separate Parks
Location
Map & Directions
Nearby towns
Duluth, Two Harbors, Silver Bay
Access location not verified
SILVER BAY, MN
Approximate location based on the nearest town. Confirm the exact spot and access before you go.
Sources & checks
This is a desk-researched listing. A record update or map check does not confirm current swimming permission or water conditions.
- Swimming rules
- Official sources checked . Swimming permission remains unconfirmed.
- Access location not verified
- The recorded location has no completed source check. Confirm the entrance, legal access, and parking before travelling.
- Record updated
- · This is a data update, not a field visit.
Found an error? Send a correction with the location and a source. How we research listings.
North Shore Swimming Recommendation Withdrawn
This historical listing combined Gooseberry Falls and Tettegouche State Park into one swimming recommendation. We have not verified a specific swimming entrance for that combined entry, and the previous directions were withdrawn. It is retained to explain the correction, not to recommend a waterfall swim.
Gooseberry Falls: Respect the Specific Restriction
The 2026 Minnesota DNR summer map prohibits swimming at Upper Falls because of deep pools and strong current. It separately mentions wading along the Fifth Falls trail. The Upper Falls restriction must not be presented as a ban throughout the entire park, but the map does not support the old promise of warm river water suitable for children.
The map exempts the visitor center/DOT Wayside parking lot from the vehicle permit requirement; other park parking requires a permit. This corrects the old assumption that all Gooseberry visitor parking requires payment.
Tettegouche: Plan Waterfall Viewing
DNR's North Shore itinerary describes a three-mile High Falls sightseeing hike with uneven surfaces, boardwalks and stairs. A trail to a waterfall is not proof of swimming permission. The previous recommendation to swim in the High Falls basin is withdrawn pending site-specific confirmation.
Choose a Documented Beach Instead
Use our Duluth beach guide to compare Park Point and Pattison's Interfalls Lake. Check conditions, staffing and admission before visiting. No beach or park is guaranteed open by this listing.
Getting There
The previous directions were withdrawn because they combined separate parks and directed visitors to unverified river swimming locations. Use official park maps for waterfall-viewing trails, not as directions to a swimming entrance.
Quick Navigation
Access Notes
No verified swimming entrance is supplied for this regional entry. The old coordinates represented a park area, not a confirmed water-entry point. Check current park notices before a sightseeing visit.
Plan Your Visit
Parking & Access
Confirm the entrance, parking arrangements, and legal access with the land manager. A map pin does not establish a public right of access. Follow posted routes and never block gates or driveways.
Regulations & Fees
This broad two-park entry does not identify a verified swimming entrance. Gooseberry Falls swimming is prohibited at Upper Falls. That restriction is not a park-wide ban: DNR's map mentions wading along the Fifth Falls trail. The former Tettegouche High Falls swimming recommendation remains unverified and is withdrawn. Public park access does not necessarily include permission to swim. Respect private property and posted restrictions.
Seasonality & Flow
Water conditions can change quickly. This listing does not provide a current safety or water-quality assessment. Check official alerts and avoid entering water when conditions or permission are uncertain.
Nearby Facilities
Nearby places from saved public map data, not necessarily facilities at the swimming spot. Confirm access, hours, fees, and amenities with the operator before you drive.
Map data retrieved 2026-06-15
Gooseberry Falls Campground
Campground
4.7 (63)
Two Harbors, MN 55616
Public restroomPublic showerRestroomRunning water
Restrooms
Public wheelchair-accessible bathroom
4.5 (2)
Gooseberry Falls State Park, 3206 MN-61, Two Harbors, MN 55616
RESTROOM & SHOWERS
Public bathroom
4 (1)
Two Harbors, MN 55616
Joseph N. Alexander Visitor Center
Visitor center
4.7 (1293)
3206 MN-61, Two Harbors, MN 55616
Restroom
Gooseberry Falls State Park Visitor Center Theater
Children's theater
5 (10)
Gooseberry Falls State Park, 3206 MN-61, Two Harbors, MN 55616
Restroom
Gooseberry Falls State Park
Hiking area
4.9 (10906)
3206 MN-61, Two Harbors, MN 55616
1,682-acre park with scenic waterfalls & diverse wildlife, plus campgrounds, trails & picnic areas.
Cycling lanesPicnic tablesPublic restroom
Shower and Bath Building
Public bathroom
5 (2)
6J5C+8H, Two Harbors, MN 55616
Frequently Asked Questions About Silver Bay North Shore Swimming Spots
Is this a verified swimming destination?
No. This entry combines two separate parks and does not identify a verified swimming entrance. Its previous waterfall-pool swimming directions have been withdrawn.
Is swimming prohibited everywhere at Gooseberry Falls?
No park-wide prohibition is established by this review. The 2026 DNR map specifically prohibits swimming at Upper Falls and separately mentions wading along the Fifth Falls trail. Follow site-specific signs and current staff guidance.
Does the Tettegouche High Falls trail establish swimming access?
No. The official itinerary describes a waterfall-viewing hike. It does not verify the former swimming recommendation for the High Falls basin.
Highlights
Official Upper Falls swimming prohibition
Separate Gooseberry and Tettegouche trip planning
Waterfall viewing from established trails
Unique Features
Two distinct North Shore park areas, not one verified swimming destination
Location & Area Map
Safety Information
Important Safety Tips
- Follow the Upper Falls swimming prohibition
- Keep children close in waterfall areas, stay on trails and heed posted boundaries
- Neither warm-weather forecasts nor calm-looking river water establish suitable swimming conditions
Cultural & Historical Context
Historical Background
Consult official park interpretation for local history.
Photography Guide
Photo Opportunities
View waterfalls from established trails and overlooks. Photographs do not establish swimming permission.
Conservation & Ethics
Protect This Place
Stay on established trails, pack out waste and respect posted closures.
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Use this safety guide before entering any natural water.
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At a Glance
Best Time to Visit
Check current trail conditions and seasonal services for sightseeing. No swimming season or water-temperature promise is verified for this regional entry.
Difficulty Level
Trail difficulty depends on the route. No swimming approach has been verified.
Fee
Check the selected park and parking area. Gooseberry's visitor center/DOT Wayside parking lot is exempt from the park vehicle permit requirement according to the 2026 map. Other park parking requires a permit.
Facilities
Gooseberry's official map identifies visitor-center and trail facilities. No specific swimming entrance or swimming-area services are verified for this combined entry.
Activities
Waterfall viewing and hiking; swimming recommendation withdrawn
Phone
Unknown
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
Camping Information
Check each park's official reservation and visitor information separately.
Nearby Attractions
- Gooseberry Falls State Park - Waterfall sightseeing
- Tettegouche State Park - Waterfall sightseeing
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Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
- Do not swim where swimming is prohibited, unsafe, or not clearly allowed.
- Follow posted signs, local regulations, closures, and private-property boundaries.
- Assess conditions on site. Water flow, depth, temperature, and underwater hazards change quickly.
- Never jump or dive without personally confirming depth and underwater obstacles.
- Swim with a buddy and consider flotation for weak or non-swimmers.
- Pack out all trash; respect wildlife and fragile environments.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
J
Joshua Havens
Founder & Editor, Hidden Swimming Holes
Joshua Havens created Hidden Swimming Holes to make it easier for people to find — and safely visit — natural freshwater swimming destinations across the United States. He researches access conditions, water quality resources, and land management rules so you don't have to start from scratch. He holds a strong belief that good outdoor recreation information should be accurate, honest about its limitations, and freely available.
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