Minnehaha Falls
4.7(2.8K)google
4.7(49)yelp
Hiking TrailScenic LookoutFamilyOutdoorPhoto SpotFreeMust-SeeLocal FavoriteWaterfallRiverForest
Overview
Minnehaha Park is a city park in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, and home to Minnehaha Falls and the lower reaches of Minnehaha Creek. Officially named Minnehaha Regional Park, it is part of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board system and lies within the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, a unit of the National Park Service. The park was designed by landscape architect Horace W.S. Cleveland in 1883 as part of the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway system, and was part of the popular steamboat Upper Mississippi River "Fashionable Tour" in the 1800s.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration1.5-3 hours
Best TimeTwo peak windows define this 53-foot waterfall: late spring from May to June for thunderous water volume fed by seasonal rain, or deep winter (January/February) when the cascade freezes completely into a magnificent, glowing blue ice wall. Arrive by 8:00 AM on a crisp morning to capture the gorge in pristine solitude for fine art photos.
Getting ThereNestled beautifully within Minnehaha Regional Park at 4801 S Minnehaha Dr. Transit convenience is supreme: ride the METRO Blue Line light rail directly to the 50th St/Minnehaha Park station, exit, and enjoy a flat, scenic 2-minute stroll across the park lawns straight to the gorge edge. Paid metered municipal lot spaces are available.
Travel Tips
- Winter freezing turns the gorge pathways beneath the falls into an unpredictable ice sheet; trespassing past the lower wooden security barricades into the basin pool area is illegal and incurs a $250 municipal fine.
- The dedicated East and West parking lots reject cash and exclude federal Interagency Pass use; drivers must utilize the MPLS Parking mobile application to pay hourly regional parking rates.
- Summer weekend crowds cause 90-minute order bottlenecks at the adjacent Sea Salt Eatery; bypass the line by heading 10 minutes upriver along Minnehaha Creek toward neighboring off-park food truck alternatives.
Reviews
Positive
- A magnificent 53-foot natural waterfall hidden right in the heart of the city; rushing in spring and freezing into a spectacular ice wall in winter, it fully delivers.
- This is a completely free municipal park; it is lined with paved stairways, ample trash bins, and benches, blending raw wilderness with city convenience seamlessly.
- Transit accessibility is pristine with a Light Rail Blue Line station right at the park; a short walk brings you to the falls, making it effortless by train or car.
- The on-site Sea Salt Eatery is famous; dining on authentic fried seafood and craft beer under the green canopy provides a remarkably relaxing vacation vibe.
Heads up
- Being famous and free, weekend and warm summer afternoon crowds are intense; boardwalks are packed shoulder-to-shoulder, making peaceful nature viewing impossible.
- The park's self-serve metered parking stalls are limited; during peak hours, snagging a spot forces you to circle the tight, one-way park ring roads for a long time.
- The steps leading to the bottom of the gorge become treacherous with ice in winter; despite closure warning signs, the lack of rigid barriers poses slips and safety risks.
- During dry late summer or early autumn seasons, the water volume can drop drastically, shrinking the cascade to a trickle that can disappoint those expecting a roar.