It may be known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes — but make no mistake about it, Minnesota has some incredible waterfalls to discover, too! From the northerly Superior shoreline to easily accessible, urban falls tucked into the state’s biggest cities, here are the Minnesota waterfalls you don’t want to miss… and all the details you need to see them up close and personal for yourself.
Top 10 Waterfalls in Minnesota
Visiting Waterfalls in Minnesota
Devil’s Kettle
Tucked along the Brule River close to where it pours into Lake Superior, Devil’s Kettle is actually something of a mystery. While part of the waterfall straightforwardly cascades down from the volcanic rock ledge above, continuing along the river, another section of it seems to disappear into the ground entirely.
Devil’s Kettle is accessible along a two-mile round-trip trail that climbs some 400 undulating feet, and is ranked as moderate — so there will certainly be some steep and rocky portions along the way. Wear solid hiking boots and bring trekking poles, but take heart: this unique waterfall destination is more than worth the effort.
Things to do near Devil’s Kettle
This unique formation is part of the larger landscape of Judge C.R. Magney State Park, which is itself situated within the larger context of the vast Superior National Forest. Suffice to say: if there’s any sort of outdoor adventure opportunity you’ve been craving, chances are good you’ll find it here.
Beaver River Falls
Beaver River Falls is a flowing set of cascades that drop some 300 cumulative feet in a gradual set of rapids, flowing down from the river into Beaver Bay below. One of the best things about this waterfall is how easy it is to access; the falls are visible from Highway 61 above. If you want a better viewpoint, it’s only a short walk from the dedicated parking area.
Things to do near Beaver River Falls
In case the falls themselves weren’t incentive enough, know that Beaver Bay is considered one of the best small towns in Minnesota by locals and visitors alike. Small but quaint and filled with shops, eateries, and unbeatable waterfront views, it’s a great place to hang out while you’re exploring the local wilderness.
Minnehaha Falls
Not every state is lucky enough to have stellar waterfall access even in some of its most densely populated areas — but Minnesota isn’t every state. Case in point, the beautiful vista created by the 53-foot-tall Minnehaha Falls. This waterfall is preserved and exhibited by a regional park right in the heart of Minneapolis. The park also features more than 160 acres of additional attractions, including hiking and biking trails, picnic areas, the well-manicured Longfellow Gardens, and more.
Things to do near Minnehaha Falls
Minneapolis is well known as one of the coolest cities in the midwest; it’s got a rich literary culture as well as excellent dining, art museums, and more. And fear not — although Minneapolis is about as urban as it gets, there are still some excellent RV parks and campgrounds in the area.
Hidden Falls
Another one-of-a-kind urban waterfall only a few miles away from Minnehaha, Hidden Falls is tucked inside Hidden Falls Regional Park, another glorious green space set aside by the Twin Cities planners. These falls lie along the mighty Mississippi River, and are another easy-to-access option with a hike of only a little more than a single round-trip mile and almost no elevation gain.
Seasonally, visitors also wade in nearby pools to beat the surprisingly hot Minnesota summer sun, not to mention the bike paths and other attractions to take advantage of.
Things to do near Hidden Falls
Once again, not every state is lucky enough to offer this kind of outdoor experience so close to a major city — let alone its capital — but Minnesota is. St. Paul, not to mention nearby Minneapolis, have so much to offer visitors and residents alike.
Hidden Falls, Round Two
That’s right — there’s not one, but two Hidden Falls on our list of top-10 Minnesota waterfalls. This second one is located not in St. Paul, but in the wilds of Nerstrand Big Woods State Park. Located about an hour south of Minneapolis, Nerstrand Big Woods State Park’s crowning jewel is Hidden Falls. The falls are quite stunning despite their relatively short stature, standing only about 20 feet tall.
The park also offers about 11 miles of wilderness hiking trails, and it’s also home to some rare and endangered Minnesota foliage.
Things to do near Hidden Falls
Just east of the smaller town of Faribault — though, again, only about an hour from Minneapolis — Hidden Falls offers city dwellers a great opportunity to get away from it all and feel like they’re truly off the beaten path without actually requiring too much driving. While you’re in the area, you could also check out the nearby River Bend Nature Center.
Winnewissa Falls
Tucked into the expanse of Pipestone National Monument just north of the Minnesota city of Pipestone, Winnewissa Falls tumbles beautifully among the rocks that characterize this area.
Along with the falls, this national monument is known for its gorgeous and unique pink quartzite rock formations. It is also a state wildlife management area offering refuge to many local plants and animals that have been displaced over the years. All things considered, it’s well worth the journey towards Minnesota’s western border.
Things to do near Winnewissa Falls
After taking in all of what Pipestone National Monument has to offer, be sure to check out the town of Pipestone itself, which offers basics like stores and watering holes as well as landmarks and educational opportunities like the Pipestone County Museum.
The Best Minnesota Waterfalls for RVers
Minneopa Falls
Just outside the town of Mankato, preserved by the small but scenic Minneopa State Park, you’ll find Minneopa Falls. This waterfall stands just shy of 40 feet tall and cascades beautifully down the magnificently carved rock face behind it, streaming along the Minneopa Creek as it runs to feed into the Minnesota River.
The fall features a stunning bridge over top, giving many visitors the opportunity to get a beautiful, unobstructed view without having to take on a big hiking project. It’s a great spot to get wedding photos or portraits taken, as well as to simply relax and enjoy the one-of-a-kind scenery.
Why This Waterfall is Perfect for RVers
The state park features onsite camping, which is perfect for RVers who want to stay near the waterfall and other adventures.
Things to do near Minneopa Falls
Along with the falls themselves, Minneopa State Park offers 300 acres of outdoor adventure attractions, including hiking and biking trails. There’s even a herd of wild bison that live on-site in the state park, which you can enjoy from the safety of your car as they feast idyllically on the grasses. Plus, the nearby city of Mankato, a college town, has its own bevy of unique cultural attractions to check out!
Ramsey Falls
Located in the town of Redwood Falls, Ramsey Falls are really one of the biggest draws to this part of south-central Minnesota. Cascading scenically out of the surrounding rock gorge that’s sometimes known as the Little Yellowstone of Minnesota, it’s no wonder this one-of-a-kind waterfall is preserved by the biggest municipal park in the state, Ramsey Park.
Along with the falls themselves, which are accessible by a variety of hiking paths (including paved options), the 250-acre park offers playgrounds, a golf course, and even an on-site zoo including a petting zoo for the little ones.
Why This Waterfall is Perfect for RVers
This is another park that features an onsite campground. We recommend parking your RV there and spending a few days in order to see and do it all.
Things to do near Ramsey Falls
The town of Redwood Falls offers all the basic amenities you need to enjoy a great vacation, as well as some one-of-a-kind extras like the Redwood County Museum. It’s all set in the vast rural landscape of Minnesota, a land of enchanting beauty and plenty of friendly, small towns.
Gooseberry Falls
Preserved in its very own namesake Gooseberry Falls State Park, Gooseberry Falls has long had destination status amongst Minnesotans and those from further afield alike — and for good reason. The falls crash over a broad series of tiered rock ledges, creating a kind of thunderous waterfall amphitheatre; visitors can even sit back and relax on a rock island that separates out their three sections — upper, middle, and lower falls, all with their own hiking opportunities.
As if that weren’t enough, this 1,600+ acre park also features two more waterfalls that aren’t connected to Gooseberry Falls at all. In short, if chasing waterfalls is your jam and you’re in Minnesota, you absolutely can’t miss Gooseberry Falls State Park.
Why This Waterfall is Perfect for RVers
Yet another state park with onsite RV camping, this is a great waterfall for RVers who wish to camp close to the adventure and beauty.
Things to do near Gooseberry Falls
Along with waterfalls, Gooseberry Falls State Park offers many other attractions that make it a worthwhile destination: scenic agate beach offers incredible waterfront, and the park is populated by a variety of buildings constructed by the CCC.
Wolf Creek Falls
Moving away from the shoreline into the heart of Minnesota, you’ll find yourself at Banning State Park. This place draws its visitors for a wide variety of reasons: the skiing, canoeing, and hiking opportunities are all golden, as is the chance to check out the historic Sandstone Quarry that’s preserved here.
Banning State Park is also home to Wolf Creek Falls. Better still, the hike to see these falls up close and personal is a relatively friendly one, traveling only about a mile and a half altogether and seeing about 121 feet of elevation gain. This one’s a great opportunity for those traveling with kids or well-behaved dogs on leashes!
Why This Waterfall is Perfect for RVers
One of the main draws to Banning State Park is its on-site campground, which generously offers both water/electric hookups and even some full hookup sites for very affordable nightly prices.
Things to do near Wolf Creek Falls
Obviously, you’ll want to spend some time exploring the rest of the park.
Planning an RV Trip to Minnesota
As bountiful and beautiful as its waterfalls may be, the cascades are far from the only reason to visit Minnesota! You’ll also want to see the best state parks and campgrounds in the state while RVing in Minnesota. Of course, urban centers like Minneapolis and St. Paul are also worth visiting.
