When you head out into the great outdoors in Minnesota, chances are you’re going to encounter some serious water spots. There’s a good reason for the Gopher State to be called the Land of 10,000 Lakes, but not all of those lakes are exclusively within Minnesota’s borders; the biggest lake you can enjoy is truly great — Lake Superior, one of the Great Lakes.
There are many wonderful spots you can enjoy all along the coastline of Lake Superior, but it's fair to say that one of the most superior spots is Tettegouche State Park.
What and Where Is Tettegouche State Park?
Located in northeastern Minnesota on the north shore of Lake Superior, Tettegouche State Park has much to offer visitors, with waterfalls, lake and river access in warmer months, and snowy sports activities in winter. Established as a Minnesota state park in 1979, the land for the park was privately owned from 1910 to the 1970s by a group of businessmen known as the Tettegouche Club, for which the park is named.
What To Do at Tettegouche State Park
If you're an outdoorsy type, Tettegouche State Park has a lot to offer you.
See the Waterfalls
The High Falls of Tettegouche State Park are actually the highest waterfalls fully within Minnesota’s state borders. Fed by the Baptism River, the High Falls offers the chance for spectacular photos and epic memories. They’re reachable by driving in and taking a short walk to the falls, or by a more winding 1.5-mile hike to the falls along a trail.
High Falls isn’t the only waterfall to see; you can also check out Two Step Falls (on the way to High Falls) and Illgen Falls.
Hike (or Bike) the Trails
Hiking, whether to waterfalls or on its own, is a popular activity at Tettegouche State Park. And, there are miles of trails to keep trekkers busy…23 miles of trails, in fact. Some of the most popular trails are the High Falls Trail (1.2 miles, out and back; 0.6 one way), the Shovel Point Trail (1.2 miles, out and back), and the Tettegouche Camp and Baldy Trails Loop (3.5 miles).
Biking is also an option to explore the many miles of trails at Tettegouche State Park, with a 1.5-mile dedicated bike trail.
Skiing and Snowmobiling
If you’d rather ski on trails instead of hiking or biking, then winter is when you’ll want to visit for cross-country skiing, with 12 miles of groomed ski trails to enjoy. Feel the need for speed? Then there are also 12 miles of snowmobile trails at Tettegouche State Park in winter to thrill to.
Go Fishing
Fishing is another popular activity at Tettegouche State Park. Anglers have their choice of fishing for trout and salmon in the Baptism River or visiting the Lake Superior coast and casting a line for salmon and trout there.
Rock Climbing
There are four Minnesota state parks that offer rock climbing as an option for visitors, and Tettegouche State Park is one of them!
Is There RV Camping at Tettegouche State Park?
Tettegouche State Park does indeed offer RV camping, which can be found at the Baptism River Campground, located approximately 2 miles inland from the shores of Lake Superior. There are 34 campsites available at the Baptism River Campground; 28 of them are able to handle RVs, and 22 of the campsites have 50-amp electric hookups.
You can camp year-round at this Tettegouche State Park campground, but in busier months/times (especially in summer and fall), you may want to make reservations a good amount of time beforehand. There are showers and flush toilets available year-round at this campground.
When Is the Best Time To Visit Tettegouche State Park?
Tettegouche State Park’s location in northeastern Minnesota, on the shores of Lake Superior, means that winters are going to be brisk. December high temps average in the mid-20s Fahrenheit, with January and February the coldest, with average temps in the high teens and low 20s. There are an average of 20 snow days each winter month, perfect for skiing!
FYI: For less campground competition, and a quieter atmosphere, you may find that winter is the best time to visit, even if you’re not into winter activities.
March’s temps in the low 30s make way for highs in the 40s and 50s in April and May. June’s temps in the 60s and July’s and August’s temps in the low 70s (and humidity around 77%) make summer one of the most popular times to visit, which could make getting a site for your RV at a campground much harder.
Visit Tettegouche State Park in a Cruise America RV
If you’re going to visit Tettegouche State Park, Minnesota, then your best bet is to do it in an RV rental. You can find the perfect RV for a visit to Tettegouche State Park and other Minnesota state parks from Cruise America. For more than 50 years, Cruise America has been helping RV travelers like you explore the beauty and wonders of the US and Canada.
With a fleet of vehicles sure to satisfy your traveling needs, Cruise America is the way to go to get to wherever you want to go. Get in touch with Cruise America today to book (or buy!) your next RV!
