New High Falls Bridge opens at Tettegouche State Park
After a season of construction, the new bridge over the Tettegouche State Park High Falls has been completed. On Nov. 24 the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources announced through a press release that the bridge was open for public use.
The High Falls is a 63-foot waterfall, and since 1988 a bridge has spanned the width of the falls. The old bridge was closed in 2022 after sustaining damage from several years of severe flooding. This culminated in irreparable damage in 2024, when one side of the bridge was detached from its footings.
During 2025, construction on the new bridge caused the closure of the High Falls trailhead parking lot, the group camping area, the nature play area, and several hiking trails that lead to the bridge. The construction also necessitated the creation of a detour on the Superior Hiking Trail.
Construction of the new bridge cost $1.07 million, and made several improvements to the old design. The new bridge is made of fiberglass polymer, and is raised an additional five feet higher than the old bridge. The MN DNR stated that the changes should make the new bridge more resilient in the event of more flooding.
Tettegouche State Park Manager Katie Foshay said in the press release, “The High Falls Bridge has always been a high-traffic, popular spot in the park, so we’re thrilled to now have a safe new bridge that visitors can enjoy.”
Foshay added in a comment to WTIP, “Thru-hikers on the Superior Hiking Trail are also pleased to have the 2 mile detour come to an end now that the new bridge has opened.”
Photos of the 2024 flooding and the newly completed bridge can be found below.
Kirsten Wisniewski November 25, 2025
