Cross River Wayside Rest offers parking, vault toilets (seasonal), pedestrian sidewalks and excellent views of the Cross River Falls, cascading toward Lake Superior.
Although this location is right alongside Highway 61, the speed limit is reduced to 40 mph here within the town of Schroeder. This is an excellent place to take a break along the North Shore Scenic Drive, an All-American Road.
This location provides access to the Superior Hiking Trail for hiking and the Gitchi Gammi Trail, which is paved for biking. There is a seasonal bakery here and the Cross River Heritage Center is operated by the Schroeder Historical Society.
Just a short distance to the northeast is the location of Father Baraga's Cross, for which the river is named.
Father Frederic Baraga, learning of a possible epidemic afflicting the Indians at Grand Portage in 1846, set out in a small boat from Madeline Island in Wisconsin with an Indian guide. An unexpected storm threatened them but their lives were spared when they were blown over the sandbar and into the quiet mouth of the Cross River. In thanksgiving they erected a small wooden cross at the site which was later replaced by the granite one that stands here now.
The view is accessible year-round, the toilets and parking lots are seasonal.
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