Judge CR Magney State Park
Best known for being home to the famous Devil’s Kettle Waterfall, Judge CR Magney State Park is a wonderful state park located fourteen miles northeast of Grand Marais. While its claim to fame is the Devil’s Kettle waterfall, it is also known for its great hiking trails and trout fishing. So this park is so much more than just a single waterfall hike!
Your family could easily spend half a day exploring the park and everything it has to offer. In addition, it tends to be quieter without as many annual visitors. So, if you are looking for a state park without the traffic, consider a trip up to Judge CR Magney State Park.
When you visit the park, we recommend you spend a day and enjoy some of the great activities the park offers.
Hike to Devil’s Kettle Waterfall:
Obviously, if you have come to the park, you *have* to go see the Devil’s Kettle Waterfall. This waterfall, located on the Brule River, splits in two with one side flowing downstream and the other side disappearing into a mysterious hole known as Devil’s Kettle. The hike to the waterfall is a longer hike and requires going down (and then back up) over 200 stairs, but the hike is worth it!
Visit the Upper and Lower Falls:
The Brule River drops drastically in height throughout the park, creating many falls, including the Upper and Lower Falls. Stop and visit these falls during your hike to Devil’s Kettle.
Go Fishing in the Brule River:
Rainbow and brook trout are plentiful on the Brule River. You may even find a few Chinook salmon in the right season. Anglers have occasionally reported catching other fish such as smallmouth bass and northern pike that swam down the river from upstream lakes.
Hike Other Trails Within the Park:
The park is home to nine miles of trail through the Boreal Forest, with access to the Superior Hiking Trail. Most of the hikes require going up and/or downstairs.
Have a Picnic:
Picnic spots are plentiful within the park, with picnic tables near the parking lot area and scattered throughout the park. We highly suggest finding a spot near the river and enjoying your meal. Don’t forget to clean up your garbage!
Go Bird Watching:
Birding on the North Shore is a popular pastime that can be enjoyed by many. Judge CR Magney State Park is home to many birds as well as a stopping point for migrating birds. Check out the Judge CR Magney Bird Checklist for a list of birds you may have a chance to spot during your birding adventure.
Go Snowshoeing:
During the winter, snowshoeing is allowed throughout the park. Take advantage of the opportunity to see the park in a different way. We hear the frozen Devil’s Kettle is a beautiful sight to see.
Getting There:
Judge CR Magney State Park is located near Hovland, Minn., directly across the street from Naniboujou resort. Take Highway 61 out of Grand Marais for 14 miles. You will see signs for the park, which is located on the non-lake side of Highway 61. The address for the park is 4051 Highway 61, Grand Marais.
Cost:
Day permits are required to park in/near the park as well as regular camping permits for staying at the campground. Check out the Minnesota DNR website for current rates.
Hours and Seasonality:
The Ranger Station and campground are open seasonally mid-May to late-October. You can contact the park during this time. For other times of the year, you can contact Cascade River State Park to get information on Judge CR Magney State Park.
Accessibility:
Some of the picnic sites are accessible as well as some of the campsites and showers/flush toilet facilities. Contact the park for accessibility concerns when reserving a campsite. Judge CR Magney State Park has no paved trails, and most of the hikes will require climbing stairs.
Camping and Lodging:
The park has 27 drive-in campsites that are open mid-May to October. There is no winter camping at this park. Showers and flush toilets are available when the campsite is open. Vault toilets are available around the park, not promised to be open in the winter.
Mobile Usage:
Cell service is spotty in this area, even for providers that typically have good coverage on the North Shore. You should not plan to use your phone as your only source of communication while visiting the park.
Electric Vehicles:
There are no charging stations at Judge CR Magney State Park. The nearest charging station is located in Grand Marais at the Grand Marais Campground and Recreation Area 15 miles away. This charging station has a fee for use. It is strongly recommended that you call ahead for availability during the summer months. There is also a charging station at the Grand Portage Lodge & Casino in Grand Portage 20 miles away. This station also has a fee for use.
More Info:
Information on this page is subject to change. For current information, including contact information, current hours of operation, and camping information please visit the official Judge CR Magney State Park DNR website.
Exploring the North Shore Podcast recorded “The Mystery of the Devil’s Kettle” in Judge CR Magney State Park. Listen now:
