Cascade River State Park
Also known as Cascade River State Park Recreation Site
Notice: Backpack sites — details
- Status
- Open (per official listing)Daily 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Entrance fee
- Statewide rule — see below
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Statewide rule — see below
- Camping
- 5 campsites
- Official site
- dnr.state.mn.us(218) 387-6000
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 5
Partial closure Cascade River WaysideThe Minnesota Department of Transportation will be resuming work at the Cascade River Wayside on Highway 61 on June 1, 2026. Motorists can expect no… (more)
The Minnesota Department of Transportation will be resuming work at the Cascade River Wayside on Highway 61 on June 1, 2026. Motorists can expect no parking on the lake side of the highway and possible temporary daytime traffic impacts through the summer. Later this summer, there will be a partial closure of the inland parking lot while work occurs on the trailhead. Access will be maintained to the trailhead throughout the project. This years work will include drainage improvements, lakeside parking lot paving, new walk and stairs, and improved pedestrian crossing. This years work will include drainage improvements, lakeside parking lot paving, new walk and stairs, and improved pedestrian crossing.
Posted by the park 2026-06-28. Official alert
Closure Backpack sites2-5 are currently closed for maintenance.
Posted by the park 2026-06-28. Official alert
Alert Trail conditionsSome trails have muddy areas. Use caution while out hiking.
Posted by the park 2026-06-28. Official alert
Alert CampgroundSite 40 has been relocated to the main, outer loop in the campground across from the shower building.
Posted by the park 2026-06-28. Official alert
Alert Special hunt 2026Reminder that all special hunt permits must be obtained online. No permits will be given out in person.
Posted by the park 2026-06-28. Official alert
Overview
In Cook County, about 8 miles southwest of Grand Marais, Cascade River State Park covers about 2,595 acres.
Popular activities here are winter sports, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, hiking, and picnicking. Its trail network totals roughly 18 miles, according to the park. Camping is available: 5 campsites across 4 camping areas, including RV sites, tent sites, group camping, and showers.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. | — |
| Office | Not stated | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. | — |
Official wording
Daily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
Starting April 22, 2026: Park office hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call the ranger station for hours 218-387-6000 or an appointment.
Camping is available year-round. The park has 40 drive-in campsites, five backpack sites, and two group campsites. All sites will close on 10/18/2026 for the season except for the seven drive-in campsites that are plowed throughout the winter.
Drinking water: Drinking water is available in the campground and dump station. Campgrounds: Camping is available year-round. The park has 40 drive-in campsites, five backpack sites, and two group campsites. All sites will close on 10/18/2026 for the season except for the seven drive-in campsites that are plowed throughout the winter. Trails: Spring, Summer and Fall: The park has 18 miles of hiking trails. They are mostly dry with a few wet patches. The main trail shelter in the park may be heated by wood stove as needed. Unheated rustic shelters are located at backpack campsites along the trails. Winter: The park has 17 miles of groomed cross country ski trails. Trails are also available for hiking and snowshoeing. Showers: The shower building is open for the season until October 19, 2026, depending on the weather. Rentals: The park's picnic shelter is available for use. Contact the park for more information and availability. Bathrooms: Flush toilets for campers are located in the campground. Vault toilets are available year-round. RVs: There are no water or sewer hook-ups at the campsites. When reserving a campsite, please remember to account for both the length of the trailer and the length of the vehicle towing the trailer. Many of our campsites are small and cannot accommodate large units. Dump station: The trailer sanitation area is open May - October 18, 2026. State park campers only and you must stop in the ranger station first. Water: Water can be found in the campground by sites 4-15, the shower building and at the dump station. Water will be turned off Oct 19, 2026. The water could be turned off earlier depending on the weather. Electric sites: Twenty-one electric campsites
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Chicago).
Pets
Pets allowed on a leash six feet or shorter (or in a portable enclosure) and personally attended; only service animals in buildings, lodging, camper cabins, yurts, tipis, tours and beach areas.
Statewide rule from Minnesota's park system (source). This park’s page doesn’t state its own pet rules, so check for local restrictions.
Fees and passes
Per vehicle: a state park vehicle permit (one-day $7 or year-round $35) is required for every vehicle; same price for residents and nonresidents. Four free park days per year. Iron Range OHV SRA states 'There is no entrance fee'.
Statewide fee rule from Minnesota's park system; this park’s page doesn’t list its own fees.
Minnesota park passes
- Year-round vehicle permit — $35. Unlimited visits to every Minnesota state park and recreation area for 12 months from the month of purchase Details
- One-day vehicle permit — $7. One day, one vehicle Details
- Additional year-round vehicle permit — $26. Additional vehicles owned by a year-round permit holder Details
- Year-round motorcycle permit — $30. Motorcycle, 12 months Details
- One-day group permit — $5. Group vehicles, one day Details
From the Minnesota state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- Reserve MN (US eDirect)
- Phone
- 866-857-2757
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Camping
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drive-in Sites The park has 19 rustic and 21 electric drive-in sites.Three rustic sites and three electric sites are plowed in the winter. | — | ShowersRVs up to The max RV length is 35 feet. Parking spurs vary in length from 21 to 50 feet.Length is measured from front of tow vehicle to rear of vehicle being towed. | — |
| Pull-Through Sites The park has four pull-through sites. | — | Showers | — |
| Backpack Sites 5 sites — The park has five backpack sites between half a mile and 1.5 miles from the parking area. Sites include a tent pad, fire ring with grill, small shelter and picnic table.
#BP1 is a 1 mile hike from the group camp parking lot and 0.1 miles from Lake Superior.
#BP2 is a 1 mile hike from the group camp parking lot.
#BP3 is a 1 mile hike from the group camp parking lot.
#BP4 is a 0.5 mile hike from the group camp parking lot.
#BP5 is a 1.5 miles hike from the day use area parking lot. | 5 | Showers | — |
| Group Camp The park has two tent-only group camps available seasonally. Parking, vault toilets, picnic tables and fire rings are 75 yards away. Water is one-fifth miles away. | — | Showers | — |
Camping details from the park
Drive-in Sites: The park has 19 rustic and 21 electric drive-in sites.Three rustic sites and three electric sites are plowed in the winter.
Pull-Through Sites: The park has four pull-through sites.
RV Length Limit: The max RV length is 35 feet. Parking spurs vary in length from 21 to 50 feet.Length is measured from front of tow vehicle to rear of vehicle being towed.
Accessible Sites: The Lower Campground has two accessible drive-in sites, one with electric hookup.
Backpack Sites — 5 sites: The park has five backpack sites between half a mile and 1.5 miles from the parking area. Sites include a tent pad, fire ring with grill, small shelter and picnic table.
#BP1 is a 1 mile hike from the group camp parking lot and 0.1 miles from Lake Superior.
#BP2 is a 1 mile hike from the group camp parking lot.
#BP3 is a 1 mile hike from the group camp parking lot.
#BP4 is a 0.5 mile hike from the group camp parking lot.
#BP5 is a 1.5 miles hike from the day use area parking lot.
Group Camp: The park has two tent-only group camps available seasonally. Parking, vault toilets, picnic tables and fire rings are 75 yards away. Water is one-fifth miles away.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
HikingCampingWinter sportsFishingPicnickingCanoeing and kayaking
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groomed Cross-Country Skiing Classic (winter) | 17 mi | — | 17 miles — The park has 17 miles of groomed cross-country skiing trails, including one beginner loop. The more difficult trails connect to trails outside the park. A Great Minnesota Ski Pass is required to use groomed ski trails within the state park.Groomed Cross-Country Skiing Classic |
| Snowmobile (winter) | 2 mi | — | 2 miles — The park has two miles of groomed snowmobile trail connected to local trail systems, including C.J. Ramstad/North Shore State Trail.Snowmobile |
| Snowshoe (winter) | — | — | Snowshoeing is allowed anywhere in the park, except for groomed ski and snowmobile trails.Snowshoe |
| Hiking (summer) | — | — | The park has 18 miles of hiking trails. The Superior Hiking Trail also runs through the park.Hiking |
Trail descriptions from the park
Winter — Groomed Cross-Country Skiing Classic — 17 miles: The park has 17 miles of groomed cross-country skiing trails, including one beginner loop. The more difficult trails connect to trails outside the park.
A Great Minnesota Ski Pass is required to use groomed ski trails within the state park.
Winter — Snowmobile — 2 miles: The park has two miles of groomed snowmobile trail connected to local trail systems, including C.J. Ramstad/North Shore State Trail.
Winter — Snowshoe: Snowshoeing is allowed anywhere in the park, except for groomed ski and snowmobile trails.
Summer — Hiking: The park has 18 miles of hiking trails. The Superior Hiking Trail also runs through the park.
Trail conditions: Spring, Summer and Fall: The park has 18 miles of hiking trails. They are mostly dry with a few wet patches. The main trail shelter in the park may be heated by wood stove as needed. Unheated rustic shelters are located at backpack campsites along the trails.
Winter: The park has 17 miles of groomed cross country ski trails. Trails are also available for hiking and snowshoeing.
Boating and paddling
Canoe Access — Cascade River wayside
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Flush toilets
- Vault or pit toilets
- Showers
- Picnic areas
- Picnic shelters
- Group facilities
- Drinking water: not available (stated by the park)
Camping
- RV dump station
- Tent camping
- RV camping
- Group camping
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
Accessible Sites: The Lower Campground has two accessible drive-in sites, one with electric hookup.
Showers: Showers are accessible and available seasonally.
Flush Toilets: Flush toilets are accessible and available seasonally.
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 3481 West Highway 61
Lutsen, MN 55612 - Nearest town
- Grand Marais — about 8 mi southwest (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 47.7110, -90.5059
- Phone
- (218) 387-6000
- cascaderiver.statepark@state.mn.us
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Directions from the park
10 miles southwest of Grand Marais, and approximately 265 miles from the Twin Cities. The office is located just off State Highway 61 at mile post 101.
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Minnesota State Parks and Trails — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026; page says updated Jun 28, 2026
- MN DNR A-Z list of state parks and recreation areas (park IDs in server-rendered <noscript> links) + state waysides page; details from the compass feature_detail JSON API used by park.html
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology