Minnesota’s Gooseberry Falls Is Now The Best State Park In America

Every year, USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards ranks a wide variety of things based on an online voting process.

One question they set out to answer is a question that outdoor lovers debate endlessly: where in America can you find the best state park?

The study notes that the history of state parks in the United States stretches back to the 19th century, and today all 50 states collectively manage nearly 10,000 state park units, attracting over 867 million visits annually. ons of visitors.

So, with so many state parks to choose from, finding the best in the U.S. can be a daunting task, but the voters in the 2026 awards have spoken, and good news has arrived for Minnesota.

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After four weeks of voting, Gooseberry Falls State Park on Minnesota's North Shore has been named the best state park in the country, beating what was narrowed down to 19 other nominees selected by a panel of USA Today editors and travel experts from parks across the nation.

 The Top 5 State Parks In America

This year, Gooseberry Falls was actually one of two Minnesota North Shore destinations nominated. Devil's Kettle Trail at Judge C.R. Magney State Park was also nominated in the best hiking trail category, which speaks to just how remarkable that stretch of Minnesota coastline truly is.

Here is how the final top five shook out in this year's USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice voting for Best State Park:

#1 — Gooseberry Falls State Park — Two Harbors, Minnesota
Minnesota's North Shore gem took the top spot. Five dramatic waterfalls cascading through volcanic rock, 18 miles of trails, mountain biking, wildlife including black bears and bald eagles, and ice sculptures in winter. The full story below.

#2 — Mohican State Park — Loudonville, Ohio
Surrounded by 4,500 acres of state forest in north-central Ohio, Mohican offers 13 miles of hiking trails, a 25-mile mountain biking loop, excellent birding in the Clear Fork Gorge, and one of the rarer wildlife finds in the Midwest — the endangered hellbender salamander.

#3 — Peninsula State Park — Fish Creek, Wisconsin
Wisconsin landed on the podium with Peninsula State Park in Door County, which hugs eight miles of Green Bay shoreline with rocky bluffs, sandy beaches, dense forests, and a beloved outdoor theater that draws summer visitors from across the region.

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#4 — Hocking Hills State Park — Logan, Ohio
Hidden in southeastern Ohio's rolling hills, Hocking Hills is known for its dramatic geological features — recess caves, hemlock gorges, and sandstone cliffs — with seven distinct hiking areas including the iconic Old Man's Cave.

#5 — Jockey's Ridge State Park — Nags Head, North Carolina
Home to the tallest living dune system on the Atlantic Coast, this free-access park on North Carolina's Outer Banks draws hang gliders, kiteboarders, windsurfers, and hikers exploring the eastern terminus of the Mountains-to-Sea State Trail.

About Gooseberry Falls State Park

Gooseberry Falls State Park was established in 1937 and sits just a few miles northeast of Two Harbors along the North Shore of Lake Superior. It has been the most-visited state park in Minnesota for seven of the last ten years, drawing an average of more than 760,000 visitors annually.

The park's signature feature is its trio of waterfalls — Upper, Middle, and Lower — where the Gooseberry River cascades through a dramatic basalt gorge before emptying into Lake Superior. The falls look different in every season: rushing and powerful in spring snowmelt, quieter and more reflective in summer, surrounded by brilliant color in fall, and frozen into stunning ice sculptures in winter. All four seasons offer something worth seeing.

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Beyond the falls, the park offers more than 20 miles of hiking trails winding through cedar and spruce forests, along the rocky Lake Superior shoreline, and up to sweeping vista views of the river gorge.

The Gitchi-Gami State Trail connects the park to the broader North Shore trail system, offering scenic cycling along one of the most beautiful stretches of highway in the country.

What The Minnesota DNR Had To Say

The Minnesota DNR responded to the win with well-earned pride. "Gooseberry Falls State Park is an iconic example of the incredible natural spaces that make Minnesota a great place to live and visit," said DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen. "Our public lands and waters are truly special, and it's gratifying to see that people across the nation agree."

If you'd like to plan a visit, Gooseberry Falls State Park is located at 3206 Highway 61 East, Two Harbors, Minnesota, a perfect stop on a North Shore road trip or a destination worth making the drive for on its own. For trail maps, camping reservations, and current conditions, visit mndnr.gov/gooseberry.