Waterfalls in Minnesota: 14 Not To Skip

Have you been looking for the best waterfalls in Minnesota? Then you’ll love this list!

Minnesota is a large state that borders Lake Superior and Canada, so it has a unique landscape.

It is known to have over 10,000 lakes and plenty of rivers in between..

Many of Minnesota’s best waterfalls are located in Minnesota State Parks,

but a few of them are on public property in towns or cities.

So, let’s take a look at the 14 Best Waterfalls in Minnesota!

Waterfalls In Minnesota: 14 Not To Skip!

Hidden Falls, St. Paul

The Hidden Falls are located in the urban city of St. Paul, Minnesota.

These Minnesota falls are a part of the Mississippi River and are located in a local park in St. Paul.

There aren’t many places where you can head to a city park and see a pretty waterfall.

The Hidden Falls Regional Park was founded in 1887 and is actually one of the four original regional parks in St. Paul.

Near these waterfalls in MN, there is a well-maintained park where you can grill out, bird watch, or go walking and biking.

If you are looking to experience beautiful Minnesota waterfalls without having to hike to reach them, Hidden Falls is perfect.

Winnewissa Falls For Native American History

Winnewissa Falls is a pretty fall in MN at the Pipestone National Monument.

These best Minnesota waterfalls are actually a short hike from the entrance of the monument grounds.

So you’ll be able to enjoy these beautiful falls in MN without too much of a crowd and fairly easily.

You will see the unique pink quartzite rock formations that make up the Pipestone National Monument.

A sacred space for the original Native American nations who lived in the area; many of them still use the monument as a spiritual space,

Please be respectful while visiting.

There is a bridge that is perched above the waterfall so that you can look down.

There are also stone steps that you can climb to the top.

Wolf Creek Falls

At the Banning State Park, there are plenty of things to do, including hiking to the falls.

The Wolf Creek Falls are created by the Kettle River and rush over sandstone.

To get to the falls, take the moderate 1.5-mile Wolf Creek Falls trail.

The peak months are often in the summer, but even then the trail is only moderately busy.

During the rest of the year, you’ll see smaller crowds, but still get to experience the beautiful falls.

When you plan a trip to Banning State Park, you won’t want to miss hiking to the Wolf Creek Falls.

Minnehaha Falls for Beginner Hikers

At one of Minnesota’s oldest and most popular parks, Minnehaha Regional Park, are the Minnehaha Falls.

The Minnehaha Falls is a 53-foot cascading waterfall surrounded by limestone bluffs and lush greenery.

This regional park in Minneapolis is over 160 acres and is one of the most visited parks in the area,

Take advantage of hiking and biking trails, a wading pool, gardens, and Minnehaha Falls.

The walking trails are paved, and there are several places in the park that you can view the falls.

So the Minnehaha Falls are great for beginners or those looking for a more accessible way to view falls in MN.

Waterfalls in Minnesota: Minneopa Falls

In southern Minnesota, at the Minneopa State Park near Mankato, is where you can find the next Minnesota waterfall on this list.

Minneopa Falls is a 39-foot waterfall that is fed by the Minneopa Creek.

This Minnesota state park with waterfalls is very large and a popular park to visit.

With over 300 acres, Minneopa State Park also has a wild bison herd, which is an awesome bonus on your trip to see the falls.

If you park on the ‘Falls Side’ of the park, you can easily find the trailhead to get to the falls themselves.

The hike itself is super short at only 0.6 miles long.

It is an in-and-out trail, meaning you hike to the falls and then turn around and head out towards the trailhead.

Waterfalls in Minnesota: Hidden Falls, Nerstrand

The second falls in MN to have the name Hidden Falls, these Hidden Falls are in the Nerstrand Big Woods State Park.

The hike to the Hidden Falls in Nerstrand is fairly popular, so keep that in mind when heading out onto the trail.

You’ll hike through a mile of hardwood forest and wildflowers.

The hike is fairly easy, and is another in-and-out trail.

The falls are truly hidden, and you really wouldn’t know they are there.

But that doesn’t mean they are small; the falls themselves are 20 feet tall

You’ll find them at the end of a trail after you cross a boardwalk that protects an endangered wildflower.

High Falls For A Glimpse Of Canada

Minnesota’s tallest waterfall is the High Falls in Grand Portage State Park.

This Minnesota state park with waterfalls has a one-mile round-trip hike that is fairly easy with viewing platforms along the way.

For more adventurous or experienced hikers, Grand Portage State Park has a second, less-visited waterfall, Middle Falls.

Middle Falls is only accessed via a 4.5-mile rugged hike. With more moderate terrain, it is far less crowded.

It will take you about 3 hours and features elevation change and rugged terrain

Look here for my Ultimate Guide to the North Shore MN.

Waterfalls in Minnesota: Ramsey Falls

Ramsey Falls are located on the largest municipal park in Minnesota, Ramsey Park,

250 acres of Minnesota forest, public park space, camping, and more.

It is often referred to as the “Little Yellowstone of Minnesota”.

There is a hiking trail that takes you directly to the falls, and there is another trail that takes you to an observation deck..

Ramsey Falls offers pavilions to hang out and grill, a playground, a petting zoo, and even a little county museum.

Devil’s Kettle: A Geological Mystery

This super unique set of falls in MN can be found at the Judge Magney State Park, just 15 miles away from the Canadian border.

Devil’s Kettle is a unique waterfall in Minnesota that has been baffling hikers for years.

Half of the waterfall feeds into the river; the other half appears to disappear beneath the Earth’s surface.

Geologists have determined that it flows underground and rejoins the river a few hundred feet away.

The hike to Devil’s Kettle is best for more experienced hikers and is quite the trek.

It is about 2.5 miles round trip and can get steep in some parts.

About .75 miles into the hike, you can take a path to see the lower part of the falls, which is good for beginner hikers.

If you want the full effect of the Devil’s Kettle, the last 1.25 miles is for experienced hikers.

There you’ll get to see the falls that are a Minnesote tourist attraction that have fascinated scientists for centuries.

Waterfalls in Minnesota: Beaver River Falls

Outside of Beaver Bay, Minnesota, is Beaver River Falls.

What makes the Beaver River Falls so unique is that it flows between two large splits in a massive rock on the Beaver River.

It is a pretty easy waterfall to visit, so it’s perfect for all hiking skill levels.

While driving on Highway 61 in Minnesota, you can even see the falls from the road.

If you want a better look, there is a parking area on the west side of the bridge.

Then take a pedestrian walkway to a smaller bridge that offers great views of the falls.

If you’re feeling a little bit adventurous, climb down into the gorge to get a different view of these unique falls in Minnesota.

Waterfalls in Minnesota: Essentials Packing List

Here are my tips on how to pack lightly. using a carry-on when traveling. And WHY it is almost a necessity!

This unisex RFID-blocking concealed travel pouch is lightweight and comes in several colors.

These RFID sleeves are another solution.

This Anker high-speed phone charging battery is the exact one I carry on all my trips.

Don’t forget Apple AirTags to track your luggage. (Whether you fly or drive.)

My daughter gifted me this FugeTek selfie stick and tripod setup for my birthday.

It is made of lightweight aluminum and is so easy to use.

I never leave home on a trip without a non-disposable water bottle. 

Then this collapsible silicone foldable water bottle would work well for you as well.

This foldable water-resistant backpack would be great for a daily go-pack.

These quick-dry slip-on Aqua shoes will be useful at pools or spas you happen to visit along the way.

These men’s quick-dry trunks are essential.

For women, this one-strap one-piece bathing suit is amazing.

Consider bringing along quick-dry super-absorbent microfiber towels.

This wet-dry bag with handles is a good option.

These unisex polarized sunglasses come in many lens colors and frame designs and are extremely affordable, too.

If you like aviator-style sunglasses, these polarized aviators may interest you.

As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from your qualifying purchases.

Waterfalls in Minnesota: Gooseberry Falls

Gooseberry Falls State Park is in Two Harbors, Minnesota.

If you want to see multiple waterfalls in Minnesota in one stop, you’ll absolutely want to go to Gooseberry Falls State Park.

The park is home to three separate waterfalls, making up the Gooseberry Falls.

Each of them is accessible by hiking trails with different difficulty levels.

The falls are all close together; you can see all of them from just one lookout towards the middle of the falls.

They are beautiful if you are visiting during fall in Minnesota.

Depending on your hiking skill level and how much time you have, you can get closer to each fall.

Two other smaller falls in the park aren’t directly connected to the main Gooseberry Falls.

Gooseberry Falls is an absolute must-see set of Minnesota falls.

High Falls, Tettegouche State Park

In the Tettegouche State Park is the second Minnesota Waterfall to be known as High Falls.

These High Falls are located at the Tettegouche State Park just outside of Silver Bay, Minnesota.

It is the highest fall in Minnesota, because the High Falls in Grand Portage State Park are technically partially in Canada.

This is part of why both falls are named ‘High Falls’.

The hike to get to these High Falls is about 1.8 miles round trip and is considered a fairly moderate hike.

Due to the rough terrain in some spots, and potential flooding in others, expect to be hiking for close to 90 minutes total.

If you feel comfortable hiking that long and in rugged terrain, then the High Falls are definitely worth a visit.

There is a suspension bridge and a few lookout points where you can get glimpses of these waterfalls in Minnesota if you aren’t interested in hiking the full trail.

Vermillion Falls For An Urban Waterfall

Vermillion Falls is actually one of the few urban waterfalls in Minnesota.

The Vermillion Falls are located in Downtown Hastings, Minnesota.

They are actually in the factory district and at one point powered the factories.

Vermillion Falls are 35 feet and feature a few ‘steps’ in the falls.

You can view them by taking one of the many walking paths in the area.

For really great views, you can climb down into the gorge.

There is no walking trail to the gorge, but people frequently climb down there.

Vermillion Falls in MN is one of the fun things to do in Minnesota!

Best Waterfalls In Minnesota: Kawishiwi Falls

The Kawishiwi Falls are considered a hidden gem of Minnesota in the town of Ely.

The trail to get to them isn’t very long, but it is a bit rough terrain-wise.

You’ll want to make sure you’re wearing the appropriate shoes to hike this trail.

Most of what makes the terrain on the trail rough is the elaborate root system of the old pine trees and large rocks.

The hike itself is a very pretty woodland walk past the centuries-old pine trees and is only 1/2 mile long.

At the end of the trail, you’ll get a breathtaking view of the Kawishiwi Falls.

Kawishiwi Falls are a great example of MN waterfalls you must see!