Devil's Kettle Falls

Devil's Kettle Falls is one of the most mysterious waterfalls in America, located in Judge C.R. Magney State Park on Minnesota's North Shore. The Brule River splits around a massive outcrop of rhyolite rock — the eastern half plunges 50 feet into a conventional pool and continues downstream, while the western half disappears into a deep pothole in the rock, seemingly vanishing into the earth. For decades, the mystery of where this water went captivated scientists and visitors alike, until 2017 when hydrologists confirmed the water likely rejoins the river through underground fractures in the volcanic rock.

The Devil's Kettle Trail is a 2-mile round trip that winds through a boreal forest of birch, spruce, and balsam fir along the Brule River. The trail climbs nearly 400 feet and descends approximately 175 steps to reach the viewing platform at the falls. Along the way, hikers pass through some of the most pristine North Shore forest, with the rushing river providing a constant soundtrack. The trail is well-maintained but the stairs make it moderately challenging.

Spring and early summer offer the most dramatic water flow, when snowmelt swells the Brule River to a roaring torrent. Fall foliage in late September is spectacular along the North Shore. The trail won a national readers' choice award for best hiking trail in 2025, so it can be busy — visit on weekdays for a quieter experience. The park offers riverside campsites and is conveniently located along US-61 between Grand Marais and the Canadian border.