Waterfall Hikes Near Forest Lake, MN

20,553 residents
Chicago Time Zone
6 Waterfalls

within 50 miles

Looking for the best waterfalls to hike near Forest Lake? There are 6 waterfall hiking trails within a 50-mile radius of Forest Lake. These trails range from easy to moderate difficulty, providing options for both casual hikers and experienced adventurers looking to explore the region's natural beauty.

Located at 45.2536°N, -92.9582°W

Map of Waterfalls Near Forest Lake

Today's Conditions

Live data from USGS gauges & National Weather Service

Water Flow

3 of 6 gauged

3 waterfalls near Forest Lake have live flow data today

Apple River Falls Moderate Big Spring Falls Barely Flowing Minnehaha Falls Barely Flowing

Updated about 1 hour ago via USGS

Best Day to Hike

Monday

Sunny · 81°F

Thu 83°F Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy
Fri 83°F Mostly Sunny
Sat 80°F Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Sun 80°F Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
Mon 81°F Sunny Best
Tue 82°F Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Wed 81°F Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Flowing best right now near Forest Lake

Updated about 3 hours ago

Ranked by live stream-gauge flow versus each waterfall's seasonal normal.

  1. 1 Apple River Falls Moderate · 220 cfs 53rd percentile
  2. 2 Big Spring Falls Barely Flowing · 73 cfs 4th percentile
  3. 3 Minnehaha Falls Barely Flowing · 7 cfs 0th percentile

Know when to go.

Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Forest Lake hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Find waterfalls to hike near Forest Lake

Have your own travel site? Embed these waterfalls for free.

🚗 Easy Waterfall Hikes Near Forest Lake (3 waterfalls)

Easy access waterfalls are drive-up or short-walk friendly. Perfect for families, casual visitors, or anyone who loves waterfalls but is "so-so" about hiking.

Apple River Falls waterfall

Apple River Falls

13.1 miles away
Wisconsin
Easy
0.4 miles 50 ft
Saint Anthony Falls waterfall

Saint Anthony Falls

41.2 miles away
Minnesota
Easy
0.5 miles 50 ft
Minnehaha Falls waterfall

Minnehaha Falls

42.6 miles away
Minnesota
Easy
0.4 miles 50 ft

🐕 Dog-Friendly Waterfall Hikes Around Forest Lake (5 waterfalls)

Bring your four-legged friend along! These waterfalls welcome dogs on their trails.

Shadow Falls waterfall CC

Shadow Falls

40.7 miles away
Minnesota
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Big Spring Falls waterfall

Big Spring Falls

44.4 miles away
Minnesota
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Wolf Creek Falls waterfall

Wolf Creek Falls

46.2 miles away
Minnesota
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

All 6 Waterfalls Near Forest Lake

Apple River Falls waterfall

Apple River Falls

13.1 miles away
Wisconsin
Easy
0.4 miles 50 ft
Shadow Falls waterfall CC

Shadow Falls

40.7 miles away
Minnesota
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Saint Anthony Falls waterfall

Saint Anthony Falls

41.2 miles away
Minnesota
Easy
0.5 miles 50 ft
Minnehaha Falls waterfall

Minnehaha Falls

42.6 miles away
Minnesota
Easy
0.4 miles 50 ft
Big Spring Falls waterfall

Big Spring Falls

44.4 miles away
Minnesota
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Wolf Creek Falls waterfall

Wolf Creek Falls

46.2 miles away
Minnesota
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Frequently Asked Questions About Waterfalls Near Forest Lake

Are there free waterfalls near Forest Lake?

There are 3 free waterfalls near Forest Lake, including Apple River Falls.

Are there easy waterfall hikes near Forest Lake?

There are 3 easy waterfall hikes near Forest Lake, including Apple River Falls.

Are there dog friendly waterfalls in Forest Lake?

There are 5 dog-friendly waterfalls near Forest Lake, including Big Spring Falls.

Are there kid-friendly waterfalls near Forest Lake?

There are 5 kid-friendly waterfalls near Forest Lake, including Big Spring Falls.

What is the shortest waterfall hike near Forest Lake?

The shortest waterfall hike near Forest Lake is Apple River Falls at 0.4 miles round trip.

How tall are the waterfalls near Forest Lake?

The tallest waterfall near Forest Lake is Minnehaha Falls at 53 feet.

Do any waterfalls near Forest Lake require permits?

Yes, 1 waterfall near Forest Lake requires a permit. Check individual trail pages for current permit details.

What is the closest waterfall to Forest Lake?

The closest waterfall to Forest Lake is Apple River Falls, approximately 15.1 miles away.

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Where to Stay

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Glamping Hipcamp

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RV Rentals Outdoorsy

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