55 mi · 1-hour drive from the hostel
Palisade Head & Tettegouche
Sheer 300-foot cliffs over the lake, and Minnesota’s tallest inland falls.
This stretch of the North Shore has some of the most dramatic scenery in the state. Palisade Head is a sheer wall of rhyolite rising about 300 feet straight out of Lake Superior, with a road to the top and a view that goes forever. Just up the highway, Tettegouche State Park hides the High Falls of the Baptism River, the tallest waterfall entirely within Minnesota.
Palisade Head
A short, steep road leads to the top of Palisade Head, where you can stand at the cliff edge and look down at the lake crashing far below and out toward distant headlands. It’s a favorite of rock climbers and photographers, and it’s one of the easiest big-view payoffs on the shore since you can nearly drive to the summit.
Tettegouche State Park
Tettegouche packs waterfalls, inland lakes, cliffs and shoreline into one park. The signature hike leads to the High Falls of the Baptism River, roughly 60 feet tall — the highest waterfall contained entirely inside Minnesota. There’s coastline to explore too, including the sea-arch and cobblestone beach at Shovel Point.
From the front desk
- The Palisade Head access road is narrow and steep — take it slow.
- Wear real shoes for the Tettegouche waterfall hikes.
- Watch for rock climbers on the cliffs below the overlook.
Good to know
Palisade Head — FAQs
How far is Palisade Head from Duluth?
About 55 miles — roughly an hour’s drive up Highway 61 along the North Shore from Hostel du Nord.
What is the tallest waterfall in Minnesota?
The High Falls of the Baptism River in Tettegouche State Park, at roughly 60 feet, is the tallest waterfall located entirely within Minnesota. (Grand Portage’s High Falls is taller but sits on the Canadian border.)
Can you drive to the top of Palisade Head?
Nearly — a short, steep and narrow road leads most of the way to the clifftop viewpoint, making it one of the most accessible dramatic overlooks on the North Shore.
Keep exploring
Nearby & related
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