Baptism River at Tettegouche State Park

Some places stay with you long after you leave, and the Baptism River at Tettegouche State Park is one of those places for me.

There were no dramatic waterfalls here on the day we visited. Instead, there was something I sometimes enjoy even more — peace and quiet.

The river was calm, the surroundings were beautiful, and there was a wonderful sense of being away from everything. I even joined another couple as we skipped rocks across the water, something I hadn't done in many years. It was such a simple thing, but it became one of my favorite memories from our trip.

If I had to choose one place to take my family for a day of swimming and enjoying the water, this would be it.

Tettegouche State Park is located along Minnesota's North Shore, about 58 miles northeast of Duluth and roughly 4½ miles northeast of Silver Bay on U.S. Highway 61.

A Short Walk to the Water

After parking, we followed the path toward the river and Lake Superior.

What makes this area so special is that you get two completely different experiences in one place. On one side is the powerful beauty of Lake Superior, while on the other is the much calmer Baptism River.

The river eventually flows into Lake Superior, creating a beautiful shoreline where the two meet.

The Minnesota DNR actually highlights this area as a great place to fish, skip rocks, or simply sit and enjoy the scenery.

And I completely agree.

There was something incredibly relaxing about sitting beside the water and watching the river make its way toward the lake.

Hiking at Tettegouche State Park

If you're looking for hiking, there is plenty to explore here as well.

Tettegouche State Park has miles of trails through rugged North Shore terrain, with overlooks of Lake Superior, inland lakes, forests and the Sawtooth Mountains. The Superior Hiking Trail also passes through the park.

One of the popular hikes follows the Baptism River inland toward Two Step Falls and High Falls. High Falls drops 63 feet and is the highest waterfall completely within Minnesota's boundaries.

But you don't have to hike miles into the park to enjoy the Baptism River.

The river's mouth is just a short walk from the visitor center, making this a wonderful spot for simply slowing down and enjoying the North Shore.

A Peaceful Corner of the North Shore

There are plenty of famous places along Minnesota's North Shore — waterfalls, dramatic cliffs, scenic overlooks and rocky beaches.

But sometimes it is the quieter places that become your favorites.

For me, the Baptism River was one of those places.

I loved the combination of the calm river, the shoreline of Lake Superior and the peaceful surroundings. And, of course, getting to skip rocks again after so many years made the visit even more memorable.

If you're traveling Minnesota's North Shore, I definitely recommend making a stop here. You can enjoy the river and Lake Superior shoreline without having to commit to a long hike, or use it as the starting point for exploring more of beautiful Tettegouche State Park.

Tettegouche State Park

Address:
5702 Highway 61
Silver Bay, MN 55614

Phone: 218-353-8800

Location: Minnesota's North Shore, approximately 4½ miles northeast of Silver Bay on U.S. Highway 61.