Judge C. R. Magney State Park sits along Minnesota’s rugged North Shore in Cook County, where the Brule River carves through ancient volcanic rock on its way to Lake Superior. The park’s 4,323 acres protect one of the most geologically curious features in the state: Devil’s Kettle, a waterfall where the Brule River splits in two, with half plunging into a pothole that seemingly swallows the water whole. Scientists have debated for decades where that water goes.

The hike to Devil’s Kettle is the park’s signature draw — a moderately strenuous 2.4-mile round trip along the river gorge with wooden stairways and overlooks. Along the way, you’ll pass the Upper Falls and walk through dense boreal forest of birch, spruce, and cedar. Beyond the main trail, the park offers additional hiking routes, fishing for brook and rainbow trout in the Brule River, and birding opportunities that peak during warbler migration in late May.

The campground is small and wooded, with sites tucked among the trees — a quieter alternative to the busier parks further south on the Shore. Reservations are recommended during summer and fall weekends.

Visit in mid-September through early October for peak fall color when the birch and maple canopy lights up gold and crimson against the dark evergreens. Summer brings long daylight hours and comfortable hiking temperatures. Spring snowmelt makes the falls most dramatic but trails can be muddy.

This is North Shore wilderness at its most intriguing.

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