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A non-profit partner of the State Park providing support for programs focused on education, youth, science, and trails.

The mission of the Friends of Tettegouche State Park is to support and encourage use of the Park’s recreational, interpretive, educational and environmental activities through leadership, volunteerism, program development and fundraising.

Be a Part of the Adventure

Tettegouche will give you a great sense of the North Shore: the spectacular overlooks at Shovel Point; rocky, steep cliffs and inland bluffs; the cascading 63 ft. High Falls of the Baptism River; and the historic Tettegouche Camp where visitors can enjoy a rustic cabin, a fire under the stars, canoe and fish.

Wishes & Dreams Can Come True!

Become a Friend today!
  • Expanded Youth, Family and Volunteer Naturalist Programs
  • New amenities such as a multisensory interpretive trail, accessibility improvements and play ground
  • Tree planting, trail maintenance and other projects
  • Support for arts, music and other cultural and community events at the Park

Help explore new paths for Tettegouche State Park’s future.

As a member of the Friends, you take an active role in supporting Tettegouche State Park at the ground level. Your contribution will help establish the financial foundation of our Friends group and allow us to support park projects and event programming for years to come.

Experience

the Great Outdoors

Tettegouche will give you a great sense of the North Shore: the spectacular overlooks at Shovel Point; rocky, steep cliffs and inland bluffs; the cascading 63 ft. High Falls of the Baptism River; and the historic Tettegouche Camp where visitors can enjoy a rustic cabin, a fire under the stars, canoe and fish.

Illgen Falls

Palisade Head

Explore caves by kayak

Bird watching

Overlook near Tettegouche Camp

Spectacular fall color viewing

Each season brings its own beauty

Photographic opportunities all year round

Top of the World!

The views are spectacular!

Wave Watching

Explore Geology

Throughout the park, evidence of ancient lava flows are all around you. The famous Palisade Head and Shovel Point are made of light-colored volcanic flows called rhyolite. 

Connect with Nature

Tettegouche is also well known for rock climbing opportunities at Shovel Point and Palisade Head and for quality birdwatching in the spring, summer, and, especially, the fall. Tettegouche also features snowshoeing, pack in, drive-in and cabin camping, including one handicap accessible cabin at Illgen Falls.

Tettegouche FUN FACTS

Nature Experiences Abound

  • Hiking, photography, climbing, camping, fishing, bird watching, river swimming, geocaching, plein-air painting and nature backpacks are just some of the activities available at Tettegouche
  •  Education, scientific and volunteer opportunities

National Treasures

  • 9346 acres, about 24 miles of trails, 6 interior lakes and 4 waterfalls
  • Geology, topography and Lake Superior influenced weather fosters a wide diversity of plants, animals and insects

Animal Life

  • 40 species of mammals including moose, wolves, black bears, white-tailed deer, snowshoe hare, red squirrel fox and beaver inhabit Tettegouche
  • 140 species of birds, including kinglets, spruce grouse, many northern warblers as well as northern owls, finches, wood-peckers, and water birds, are common

Plant Life

  • Principal tree species: Red & White Pine
  • Rich diversity of plant life occupying a large variety of micro-climates

History

  • In 1898, the Alger-Smith Lumber Company set up a logging camp on the shores of Lake Nipisiquit.
  • In 1910, after removing most of the Norway and white pine, the logging company sold the camp and surrounding acreage to the “Tettegouche Club,”  who used the area as a fishing camp and retreat.
  • Clement Quinn, a member of the club, bought land in 1921. It was later sold to deLaittres family in 1971 who later worked with the Nature Conservancy to preserve the land as a state park.
  • The state of Minnesota acquired the land from the Nature Conservancy in 1979 and turned it into Tettegouche State Park in 1979.
  • 1989 – The Tettegouche Camp is placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
  • In 1991 the state legislature added Palisade Head, Martin Pahl Property, and Palisade Valley Unit to Tettegouche State Park.
  • In 1994 3M Company donated Crystal Bay to the state of Minnesota and it was added to Tettegouche State Park.
  • in 2019 Parks & Trails Council of MN transferred ownership of the property formerly known as the Inn at Palisades to Tettegouche State Park.