Caribou Falls is a 105-foot tiered waterfall on the Caribou River in Lake County, Minnesota, reached by a short trail from Caribou Falls State Wayside on Highway 61, about 16 miles northeast of Silver Bay. The World Waterfall Database suggests the lidar-measured height likely makes it one of Minnesota's tallest waterfalls.
The falls
The Caribou River drops through three steep tiered cascades, the tallest about 60 feet. Lidar analysis shows a total drop of just over 100 feet, while the falls are usually quoted at 35 to 70 feet; official state estimates give 35 feet. The trail ends at the base, with views of the river gorge and Lake Superior along the way.
Getting there
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources manages the wayside off Highway 61. Parking is limited to six hours, and overnight parking isn't allowed. The wayside has 0.75 mile of trail; the walk to the falls is 1.3 miles out and back with 203 feet of gain, rated easy. Daily hours run from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
When to go
The season for the wayside runs from May through mid-November; the lot isn't plowed and the site isn't accessible in winter. The trail is busiest from May to October.
On site
The last stretch of trail descends stairs to the river. The wayside has a vault toilet and no picnic tables. In late May 2026 an 88-year-old hiker fell about 30 feet toward the Caribou River and was rescued clinging to a tree, with cuts and scrapes; stay on the trail.
History and name
The wayside was established in 1947. Minnesota law records that the former Caribou Falls State Park was redesignated a state wayside.
Nearby
Hidden Falls is about 9.5 miles away, Illgen Falls about 11.4 miles and Pancake Falls about 17.6 miles.
Distances are straight-line.