Minnesota’s North Shore gets plenty of publicity for beautiful waterfalls, and rightfully so with places like Gooseberry Falls and Cascade Falls. However, you might be surprised to find the following nine stunning waterfalls in southern Minnesota that are just waiting to be explored. And for those of you looking for something new this summer or fall, southern Minnesota might be the answer you never considered! Check it out:

  1. Hidden Falls is definitely the highlight of Nerstrand Big Woods State Park and offers a tranquil place to relax and enjoy southern Minnesota’s true beauty.

Wikimedia/McGhiever Hidden Falls, 9700 170th St E, Nerstrand, MN 55053, USA

  1. The small cascades downtown in Cannon Falls on the Cannon River are always fun to watch peacefully roll through the town.

Flickr/Doug Kerr Cannon Falls, MN 55009, USA

  1. Winnewissa Falls in Pipestone is truly one of a kind and makes any visit to the National Monument that much more memorable.

Flickr/Ben Schaffhausen Winnewissa Falls, Sweet Township, MN 56164, USA

  1. The falls at Ramsey Park in Redwood Falls are always beautiful.

wikimedia commons/JonHarder Ramsey Falls, Redwood Falls, MN 56283, USA

  1. The Vermillion River Falls in Hastings are truly gorgeous, cascading down in multiple layers for an epic view.

Wikipedia/Nuqrat Vermillion Falls, Hastings, MN 55033, USA

  1. Minnemishinona Falls in Mankato follow a narrow path 42 feet down and are simply beautiful.

youtube/ringo999999

Minnemishinona Falls, Belgrade Township, MN 56003, USA

  1. The stunning Minneopa Lower Falls are 39-feet tall. A limestone staircase will take you to the bottom so you can experience the best view.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Minneopa State Park, 54497 Gadwall Rd, Mankato, MN 56001, USA

  1. Minneopa Upper Falls are 10 feet of cascading beauty adjacent to the picnic area at Minneopa State Park.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Minneopa State Park, 54497 Gadwall Rd, Mankato, MN 56001, USA

  1. We could never forget Minnehaha Falls, the pride of the metro area and definitely a candidate for the most gorgeous falls in the southern half of Minnesota. However, these falls aren’t necessarily in what most people consider to be the “real” southern Minnesota.

Wikipedia Minnehaha Falls, Minneapolis, MN 55417, USA

Do you frequently find yourself searching for the best waterfalls in southern Minnesota? Did you already know about any of these nine incredible MN waterfalls? What are some of your favorite waterfalls to visit? Share with us your thoughts in the comments!

Wikimedia/McGhiever

Hidden Falls, 9700 170th St E, Nerstrand, MN 55053, USA

Flickr/Doug Kerr

Cannon Falls, MN 55009, USA

Flickr/Ben Schaffhausen

Winnewissa Falls, Sweet Township, MN 56164, USA

wikimedia commons/JonHarder

Ramsey Falls, Redwood Falls, MN 56283, USA

Wikipedia/Nuqrat

Vermillion Falls, Hastings, MN 55033, USA

youtube/ringo999999

Minnemishinona Falls, Belgrade Township, MN 56003, USA

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

Minneopa State Park, 54497 Gadwall Rd, Mankato, MN 56001, USA

Wikipedia

Minnehaha Falls, Minneapolis, MN 55417, USA

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Waterfalls in Southern Minnesota May 06, 2022 Jennifer Young What are three of the best waterfall hikes in Minnesota that are scenic and filled with lots of adventure? When it comes to waterfalls and hiking trails, Minnesota is home to some of the very best. There are several hiking trails with waterfalls in Minnesota that are certainly worth exploring, and we’ve listed three of our favorites below.

  1. Devil’s Kettle Devil’s Kettle is located inside Judge C.R. Magney State Park. It’s a 2-mile out-and-back trail with a moderate rating of difficulty and takes nearly an hour to hike. in addition to hiking, this trail is also a popular spot for camping and birding. It’s also a great trail to explore all year long.
  2. Mississippi Gorge Loop Trail Minnesota’s Mississippi Gorge Loop is located inside Mississippi Gorge Park. This 5.6-mile loop trail has an easy level of difficulty, which means everyone should be able to hike it. Because this is a longer trail, it’ll take at least two hours to complete for most people. Like Devil’s Kettle, this trail is also great for exploring all year.
  3. Fifth Falls and Superior Hiking Trail Loop Located inside Gooseberry Falls State Park is the Fifth Falls and Superior Hiking Trail Loop. It’s a 3-mile loop trail with an easy level of difficulty and is a popular spot for road biking and birding, in addition to hiking. The months of March through October are the best time of year to experience this trail. Where will you find one of Minnesota’s most unique waterfalls? There are numerous waterfalls located throughout the state of Minnesota, including some that are pretty unique. One of the state’s most unique waterfalls is the Minneopa Falls of Minneopa Creek. Minneopa Falls in Minnesota is quite unique because it’s a double waterfall. This Minneopa State Park waterfall, which is approximately 40-feet tall, is truly spectacular and a definite must-see.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Waterfalls in Southern Minnesota

May 06, 2022

Jennifer Young

What are three of the best waterfall hikes in Minnesota that are scenic and filled with lots of adventure? When it comes to waterfalls and hiking trails, Minnesota is home to some of the very best. There are several hiking trails with waterfalls in Minnesota that are certainly worth exploring, and we’ve listed three of our favorites below.

  1. Devil’s Kettle Devil’s Kettle is located inside Judge C.R. Magney State Park. It’s a 2-mile out-and-back trail with a moderate rating of difficulty and takes nearly an hour to hike. in addition to hiking, this trail is also a popular spot for camping and birding. It’s also a great trail to explore all year long.
  2. Mississippi Gorge Loop Trail Minnesota’s Mississippi Gorge Loop is located inside Mississippi Gorge Park. This 5.6-mile loop trail has an easy level of difficulty, which means everyone should be able to hike it. Because this is a longer trail, it’ll take at least two hours to complete for most people. Like Devil’s Kettle, this trail is also great for exploring all year.
  3. Fifth Falls and Superior Hiking Trail Loop Located inside Gooseberry Falls State Park is the Fifth Falls and Superior Hiking Trail Loop. It’s a 3-mile loop trail with an easy level of difficulty and is a popular spot for road biking and birding, in addition to hiking. The months of March through October are the best time of year to experience this trail. Where will you find one of Minnesota’s most unique waterfalls? There are numerous waterfalls located throughout the state of Minnesota, including some that are pretty unique. One of the state’s most unique waterfalls is the Minneopa Falls of Minneopa Creek. Minneopa Falls in Minnesota is quite unique because it’s a double waterfall. This Minneopa State Park waterfall, which is approximately 40-feet tall, is truly spectacular and a definite must-see.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

When it comes to waterfalls and hiking trails, Minnesota is home to some of the very best. There are several hiking trails with waterfalls in Minnesota that are certainly worth exploring, and we’ve listed three of our favorites below.

  1. Devil’s Kettle

Devil’s Kettle is located inside Judge C.R. Magney State Park. It’s a 2-mile out-and-back trail with a moderate rating of difficulty and takes nearly an hour to hike. in addition to hiking, this trail is also a popular spot for camping and birding. It’s also a great trail to explore all year long.

  1. Mississippi Gorge Loop Trail

Minnesota’s Mississippi Gorge Loop is located inside Mississippi Gorge Park. This 5.6-mile loop trail has an easy level of difficulty, which means everyone should be able to hike it. Because this is a longer trail, it’ll take at least two hours to complete for most people. Like Devil’s Kettle, this trail is also great for exploring all year.

  1. Fifth Falls and Superior Hiking Trail Loop

Located inside Gooseberry Falls State Park is the Fifth Falls and Superior Hiking Trail Loop. It’s a 3-mile loop trail with an easy level of difficulty and is a popular spot for road biking and birding, in addition to hiking. The months of March through October are the best time of year to experience this trail.

Where will you find one of Minnesota’s most unique waterfalls?

There are numerous waterfalls located throughout the state of Minnesota, including some that are pretty unique. One of the state’s most unique waterfalls is the Minneopa Falls of Minneopa Creek. Minneopa Falls in Minnesota is quite unique because it’s a double waterfall. This Minneopa State Park waterfall, which is approximately 40-feet tall, is truly spectacular and a definite must-see.