Are there fees or permits required for Minnehaha Falls?

No, there are no fees required to visit Minnehaha Falls.

Is swimming allowed at Minnehaha Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Minnehaha Falls.

Live Conditions · 17 ft³/s · About average

Minnehaha Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Minnehaha Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Minnehaha Falls. Dogs must be leashed in Minneapolis parks; the off-leash area at the south end of the park requires a permit and is being decommissioned.

Minnesota • 53 ft

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Also For 1 other waterfall also named Minnehaha Falls, see below

Minnehaha Park LP · CITY

Photo Credits (5)

Joe Passe CC BY-SA 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Easy

Trail Length

0.4 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

Elevation Gain

50 ft

About Minnehaha Falls

Minnehaha Falls drops 53 feet on Minnehaha Creek inside Minnehaha Regional Park in Minneapolis, a short distance above the creek's confluence with the Mississippi River. The park is run by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and lies within the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. Flow depends on the creek: it is strongest in spring and after rain, can slow to a trickle in dry summers, and often freezes in winter.

The Setting

Minnehaha Falls sits at 810 feet within Minnehaha Park, fed by the Minnehaha Creek, in the foothills of Minnesota. The falls drop 53 feet.

Height: 53 feet

Trail & Hike Details

0.4 mi distance 50 ft climbed

The Approach

The easy 0.4-mile out-and-back trail gains 50 feet of elevation on the way to the falls.

Trail Description

The primary approach to Minnehaha Falls is a short, well‑maintained walk from nearby parking to the main viewing platform. The out-and-back route is approximately 0.4 miles round trip with roughly 50 feet of elevation gain and is rated easy, making it accessible for families and most visitors. Trails around the falls are mostly paved and connect along Minnehaha Creek down to the Mississippi River, offering additional scenic strolls beyond the main viewpoint.

What to Expect

The falls drop 53 feet. Dogs are welcome.

Accessibility

The trail is short and relatively flat, but the surface may be uneven. Contact the managing agency for accessibility details.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Minnehaha Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed
Dogs must be leashed in Minneapolis parks; the off-leash area at the south end of the park requires a permit and is being decommissioned.

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Minnehaha Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall winter

Spring and summer are ideal for lush greenery and flowing water, while winter offers a unique view of the frozen falls. Fall provides beautiful autumn foliage.

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.

Safety Information

Water temperature is currently 48°F — cold enough to cause numbness quickly. Avoid prolonged water contact and use caution near the falls.

Stay on designated trails and viewing platforms. Do not climb on rocks near the falls, as they can be slippery and dangerous. Be cautious during winter, as icy conditions may make paths slippery.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 2 hours ago Barely Flowing

17 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

About average for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

1 3 72 183

Based on 21 years of record

12.38 ft

Water depth at gauge

48°F

Very cold

Expect numbness within minutes

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is about average for this time of year. Water temperature is very cold at 48 degrees F, expect numbness within minutes. Mineral content is moderate.

Water Quality

575 µS/cm

Conductance

Dissolved minerals in the water

About This Gauge

MINNEHAHA CREEK AT HIAWATHA AVE. IN MINNEAPOLIS,MN

USGS 05289800

0.2 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 176 sq mi

Altitude: 791 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge MINNEHAHA CREEK AT HIAWATHA AVE. IN MINNEAPOLIS,MN (0 km away).

High confidence

Barely Flowing right now

17 cfs

↓ Falling

Today

Barely Flowing

17 cfs

5/10

Tomorrow

Barely Flowing

18 cfs

5/10

Thu

Barely Flowing

20 cfs

5/10

Fri

Barely Flowing

18 cfs

5/10

Sat

Barely Flowing

15 cfs

5/10

Sun

Barely Flowing

15 cfs

5/10

Mon

Barely Flowing

15 cfs

5/10

Best window: Today — barely flowing flow, mostly sunny (trip score 5/10).

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from early May to early July, peaking in June.

How we calculate this

This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.

Know when to go.

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

Is Minnehaha Falls Frozen?

Updated about 7 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded

Minnehaha Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 65°F to 38°F.

Days below freezing: 0 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 0 of the next 7
Flow: 17 ft³/s

Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.

Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail. See every frozen waterfall in Minnesota.

Weather Forecast

The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR

Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.

1-meter lidar measures about 79 feet of descent through Minnehaha Falls, a steep tiered drop rather than a single free fall. That is more than the listed 53 feet because the gorge keeps dropping below the falls themselves. The brink sits at about 811 feet above sea level.

Water arrives on almost flat ground and leaves through a ravine that loses about 63 feet in the first 500 feet below the falls. Facing northeast, the falls stay mostly shaded, with soft, even light all day.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Minnehaha Falls near Mendota, Minnesota, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Minnehaha Falls near Mendota, Minnesota, showing about 79 feet of drop, a steep tiered drop, facing northeast

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.

Ground elevation: 811 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 79 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: Northeast; Mostly shaded, so the light stays soft and even all day.

Ground profile through the falls

A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading northeast).

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Location & Access

Getting There

The park is at 4801 S Minnehaha Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55417, and is reachable by car, bike or the METRO Blue Line (50th St/Minnehaha Park station).

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

The park has a pay parking lot, a free parking lot, and on-street parking with pay kiosks. Lots fill quickly on busy days, so arrive early.

Hours

Elevation

810 feet above sea level

Coordinates

44.914688° N, -93.209945° W

Land Management

Minnehaha Park LP

Managed by CITY

Visitor Tips & Gear

Visit early in the morning or on weekdays to avoid crowds. Wear comfortable walking shoes if you plan to explore the trails. Bring a camera to capture the beauty of the falls and surrounding park.

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For this easy 0.4 miles trail, lightweight trail shoes and a water bottle are usually sufficient. Icy conditions are common in winter — traction cleats are a smart addition.