Tettegouche State Park - Silver Bay, Minnesota

 Tettegouche State Park

5702 MN-61

Silver Bay, Minnesota

47°20′9″N 91°11′58″W / 47.33583°N

Tettegouche State Park on Minnesota’s North Shore is more than just a scenic spot—it’s a place full of history, natural beauty, and a sense of timelessness. For centuries, this land was home to the Ojibwe people, who relied on its rivers, forests, and Lake Superior shoreline for fishing, hunting, and gathering. The Baptism River, which winds through the park, was a key resource and a vital part of their cultural and daily life. When European settlers arrived in the late 19th century, the landscape changed as logging operations moved in, taking advantage of the dense forests and using the river to transport timber.

But in 1898, a new chapter began when a group of wealthy businessmen bought thousands of acres around the Baptism River. They named it the Tettegouche Club—borrowing a French-Canadian word meaning “hideaway”—and used the area as a private retreat for fishing, hunting, and relaxing in nature. Unlike the logging operations that were cutting through the North Shore, the club helped keep much of the area’s natural beauty intact. The land remained under their care for decades, long after logging declined in the region.

In 1979, Minnesota stepped in to ensure this incredible place would be preserved for everyone to enjoy. The state purchased the land, and Tettegouche State Park was officially born. It quickly became a favorite destination, thanks to its dramatic cliffs, waterfalls, and views of Lake Superior. One of the park’s highlights is Palisade Head, a towering rock formation with jaw-dropping views, and Shovel Point, another iconic cliff that juts out into the lake. Both spots are magnets for hikers, rock climbers, and photographers. The park is also home to High Falls on the Baptism River, the highest waterfall entirely within Minnesota, as well as several inland lakes like Mic Mac, Tettegouche, and Nipisiquit, where visitors can fish, kayak, or simply enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

Today, Tettegouche State Park feels like a perfect blend of history and nature. It’s a place where you can imagine the Ojibwe navigating its rivers, loggers hauling timber, or club members casting their fishing lines—all while you hike the trails, enjoy the views, or camp under the stars. It’s more than a park; it’s a living piece of Minnesota’s heritage, protected for future generations to explore and cherish.