Cascade River State Park (dnr.state.mn.us) includes several overlook sights and a footbridge that spans the rushing waters of the river, which tumbles 900 feet down a series of rocky ledges during the last few miles on its way to Lake Superior. The surrounding hills and hardwood forests contain aspen, birch, cedar, fir and spruce trees, providing a habitat for wildlife species such as bears, deer, marten, moose, wolves and hawks, all of which have been observed within the park.
Cascade River State Park is a haven for hikers with 18 miles of trails, some of which provide scenic views of the river and lake. The park also includes a section of the 296-mile Superior Hiking Trail (shta.org), which stretches from Duluth to the Canadian border. During colder months, Cascade River is open to winter sports such as cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and snowshoeing. The park has 17 miles of ski trails, which range from easy to difficult, and 2 miles of groomed snowmobile trails, including access to the 146-mile North Shore State Trail (dnr.state.mn.us). Cascade River State Park also has a lakeside picnic area, plus an enclosed shelter with a wood stove to warm up on those chilly days.
Cascade River's campground has 40 drive-in campsites for tents, trailers and RVs up to 35 feet, plus five walk-in tent sites. Several campsites remain open during the winter. Individual campsites do not have water or electrical hookups, but running water is available at the campground. Other amenities include a seasonal restroom and shower facility and a dump station, typically available from mid-May to mid-October. Vault toilets are available year-round. The park also has a tent-only group camp with two sites that accommodate up to 20 tents each. The group camp, open from early April to late October, has vault toilets, picnic tables and fire rings.
During your visit to the North Shore Drive area, experience some other regional attractions, all less than a 20-minute drive from Cascade River State Park. Take a half-day or full-day class at the North House Folk School (northhouse.org), set on Grand Marais Harbor. The school teaches traditional northern Minnesota crafts such as basketry, timber framing and woodworking. Learn about the area's maritime history at the North Shore Commercial Fishing Museum (commercialfishingmuseum.com) or play a round of golf at Superior National (superiornational.com), a public course with 27 holes. The nearby towns of Lutsen and Grand Marais -- both within 10 miles of the park -- are home to numerous lodging options, including resorts, hotels and bed-and-breakfast inns.
