Boaters on the Blue Earth River State Water Trail will be amazed to learn that they can beach their boats and take an easy hike to a triple waterfall in Minnesota. You just have to know where to look.
The Blue Earth River State Water Trail begins in the town of Blue Earth, near the Iowa border, and winds northward over more than 100 river miles to the Minnesota River.
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Sibley Park, in Mankato, is the official terminus of the water trail at its confluence with the Minnesota.
Paddlers on the trail, and other boaters on the Blue Earth, particularly enjoy the last dozen or so river miles of the trail.
James Jensen/Google Below the Rapidan Dam, the Blue Earth River enters a gorge, and the landscape becomes rugged and dramatic. Features like a set of class I rapids, the “Big Moe” boulder, and Devil’s Gulch ravine reveal themselves.
You can find another dramatic feature in this part of the river between miles eight and nine, just south of Mankato.
Minnesota DNR Look for a small stream cutting through the bluff on the west bank of the Blue Earth, near river mile nine, and beach your boat.
Follow the creek upstream for a short distance - it’s an easy hike from the mouth.
Miss aleshea “Miss Aleshea” T/Google
And you’ll find a triple waterfall cascading down from the limestone bluffs.
Jessie’s Drone Adventures/Google The waterfall is typically referred to as simply “Triple Falls.”
Of course, the flow rate of the stream will affect the waterfall’s appearance.
Miss aleshea “Miss Aleshea” T/Google You may be disappointed if you go during a dry spell.
The waterfall is taller than it seems at first, and as you approach, it becomes more and more impressive.
Steve Allen/Google It’s definitely worth the short hike up from the river.
The waterfall is marked on Google maps, as well as on the river trail map available from the DNR. Those looking for an incredible winter waterfall hike should check out the Kadunce River gorge in northern Minnesota.
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Sibley Park, in Mankato, is the official terminus of the water trail at its confluence with the Minnesota.
James Jensen/Google
Below the Rapidan Dam, the Blue Earth River enters a gorge, and the landscape becomes rugged and dramatic. Features like a set of class I rapids, the “Big Moe” boulder, and Devil’s Gulch ravine reveal themselves.
Minnesota DNR
Look for a small stream cutting through the bluff on the west bank of the Blue Earth, near river mile nine, and beach your boat.
Miss aleshea “Miss Aleshea” T/Google
Jessie’s Drone Adventures/Google
The waterfall is typically referred to as simply “Triple Falls.”
You may be disappointed if you go during a dry spell.
Steve Allen/Google
It’s definitely worth the short hike up from the river.
Have you hiked to Triple Falls from the Blue Earth River? What other hidden gem waterfalls can be found in the Land of 10,000 Lakes?
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