Where to find Waterfalls in Duluth: Everything you need to know
Where to find waterfalls in Duluth? With fall colors peaking along much of the Lake Superior coast, it was hard to pass up a perfect weekend to explore.
We decided to hit the road to Duluth. Little did I know, we didn’t need to drive to the North Shore for waterfalls. There are plenty of waterfalls in Duluth too.
I’ve wanted to love Duluth for so long now. Most of my time was spent fighting traffic at Canal Park, trying to find a parking spot, or along Superior Street looking for a bite to eat.
I gave up on the town for a while and decided it was just another bottleneck to get further up the shoreline. I never got the romance that so many people feel for the town, that is, until this past weekend.
Hawk Ridge
With fall colors in mind, we did a short hike at the Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory. The observatory is high on the hills of Duluth.
Because raptors are hesitant to cross large bodies of water, they veer southwest along the lakeshore. Uplift along the ridge makes it easy to spot these migrating birds at eye level. During fall, over 20 species of raptors are seen.
The nature reserve is more than just an observation area. There are a series of trails in the woods, all leading to remote lookouts. We arrived at a busy time on the hill.
All parking is on the roadside. During peak migration, some parking near the trailhead may be blocked off for pedestrians.
Getting there early let us enjoy the crisp fall air and a fun hike. The extra traffic nudged us onto Seven Bridges Road, where we found some of the best waterfalls in Duluth.
Seven Bridges Road
Just down the road from Hawk Ridge is a stunning scenic drive called Seven Bridges Road. It feels like a hidden gem.
While many folks are watching ships at Canal Park, we were driving through one of Duluth’s best vistas.
Near most bridges there is roadside parking for a few cars. Many stops have beautiful waterfalls.
Waterfalls in Duluth
This whole area is part of Amity Park. Running alongside the creek, on both sides of Seven Bridges Road, is the Lester–Amity mountain bike trail system. We saw a few bikers, but most people were exploring on foot.
The area sits on Duluth’s famous hills, with mostly smooth dirt trails. Since the trail is designed for bikes, I don’t recommend hiking long stretches of it. Use the smaller footpaths at each parking pull-off.
Keep Smiling Falls, Duluth
From the north, stop at the first bridge. There is parking on either side for about 3–4 cars.
This Keep Smiling waterfall has a great bridge backdrop, plus rock hopping and views all around. The falls got their name from graffiti painted on the rocks.
It’s a fitting name. The second I saw it from the road, my face lit up and I pulled over. It reminded me of the Cascades or Temperance River State Park where the water seems to go on forever.
The creek drops a total of about 12 feet here, then another 6 feet before continuing on.
Amity Falls, Duluth
The southernmost bridge on Seven Bridges Road, near Occidental Blvd, is Amity Falls. Parking is on the north side of the bridge, with room for about 10 cars. From there, take the trail just beyond the vehicle barricades.
You’ll first come across a smaller waterfall called Amity Falls. You can get right up close to it. Don’t stop there.
The Deeps Falls, Duluth
The Deeps Falls is easy to miss if not for the footbridge and gazebo in the distance.
Continue south from Amity Falls to reach the Deeps. This narrow chute drops about 20 feet into a deep pool.
There are several paths down to the base. I chose to scramble on rocks, but it wasn’t necessary. In low water, the flow can be light; after rain or snowmelt, it’s much stronger.
How accessible are these waterfalls?
There is little to no hiking required. If you are in a car, you can park relatively close to each one. The footpaths are well traveled.
They are not wheelchair accessible, but if you want to avoid stairs, roots, or unstable terrain, you can still see them all from short, mostly flat paths and overlooks.
More waterfalls in Duluth
Duluth has more waterfalls to explore. Just south of Amity Creek, before Superior Street, it meets the Lester River.
Lester River has its own scenic drive with several drops, including Two Sisters Falls, the Shallows, and Gunderson Falls. Flow varies by season and rainfall.
If you’d like to dive deeper into North Shore waterfalls, check out Eve and Gary Wallinga’s book, Waterfalls of Minnesota’s North Shore.
Would I go back to see more waterfalls in Duluth?
Waterfalls in Duluth are spectacular. The ones we saw rival many on the North Shore. That said, we only saw a fraction of what’s here.
You could spend a full weekend finding these backwoods waterfalls. You should definitely check them out. If you want something closer to the Cities, see 12 Stunning Waterfalls Near Minneapolis.
