🌊🐾 Hike to the Mysterious Devil’s Kettle — Northern Minnesota's Natural Wonder!
Ever wonder where half a waterfall goes missing? Simba the Adventure Pup and I hit the trail in Cook County, Minnesota to unravel one of the state’s most fascinating natural mysteries — the legendary Devil’s Kettle! 🌀🌲
Located in Judge C.R. Magney State Park, this unforgettable hike leads to a double waterfall where one stream flows into the Brule River, while the other vanishes into a giant underground hole known as the Devil’s Kettle — and for decades, no one knew where it went. (Spoiler alert: science finally solved it, but it’s still magical to see in person!)
📍 Location Details
Trailhead: Judge C.R. Magney State Park – Cook County, MNTrail: Devil’s Kettle Trail (~2 miles round trip)
Terrain: Forested paths, staircases, river views, and waterfall overlooks
Dog-Friendly: 100% yes — Simba loved every minute!
🌲 The Hike Experience
The Devil’s Kettle Trail offers the perfect mix of forest serenity, physical challenge, and geological mystery:
✅ Wooden stairs and elevated platforms for scenic views
✅ Peaceful woods and lush greenery along the way
✅ Multiple overlooks of the Brule River and its falls
✅ A great workout with an even better reward at the end
We tackled the climb at a steady pace, stopped to soak in the sounds of the rushing river, and captured plenty of great footage for our Life on Paws and Wheels series.
🌊 What is the Devil’s Kettle?
One of Minnesota’s greatest mysteries for years, the Devil’s Kettle is a split waterfall — half the Brule River cascades downstream, and the other half plunges into a swirling hole in the rock, disappearing underground.
For decades, scientists tried tracking the flow with dyes, ping pong balls, and even GPS devices — but nothing returned.
🧪 Finally in 2016, researchers confirmed that the missing water does rejoin the Brule River downstream through subterranean channels — but standing beside it still feels like you’re witnessing nature’s magic trick.
🎥 Watch the Video
🐕 Simba's Trail Report
Simba was all in on this hike:
• Zoomed up the stairs• Sniffed every forest breeze
• Perked his ears at the waterfall’s roar
• Gave the overlook two tail wags and a satisfied pup sigh
He’s officially a Devil’s Kettle fan — even if he’s still wondering where that water went. 🐾💧
🎥 About the Series
This adventure is part of our Life on Paws and Wheels video series, where Simba and I document our full-time RV life — exploring dog-friendly trails, parks, scenic gems, and offbeat roadside stops across the U.S.
📲 Follow the Journey
🔔 Subscribe on YouTube for new trail vlogs every week🐕 Follow us on Instagram: @lifeonpawsandwheels
💬 Comment your favorite Minnesota hike or natural mystery!
From van life to waterfalls, it’s all part of the journey. Thanks for hiking along with us! 🐾
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