Before you go
A Boundary Waters permit is required for every visit: a free self-issued permit for day trips, and a reserved quota permit with per-person fees for overnight trips from May 1 to September 30. The falls are reached by canoe from Fall Lake, not by a hiking trail.
Photo Credits (5)
About Pipestone Falls
Pipestone Falls is a series of falls and rapids at the north end of Newton Lake, where the water drops into Pipestone Bay of Basswood Lake in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness near Winton, east of Ely. It is named for Pipestone Bay and is unrelated to Pipestone National Monument in southwestern Minnesota. It is reached by canoe from the Fall Lake entry point (Entry Point 24), not by a hiking trail.
The Setting
Pipestone Falls sits at 1,322 feet within Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, in the foothills of Minnesota.
Trail & Hike Details
Trail Description
There is no hiking trail. From the Fall Lake landing, paddle northwest to the Newton Falls portage (about 40 to 80 rods) into Newton Lake, paddle about 2 miles to its north end, and take the Pipestone Falls portage into Pipestone Bay; published lengths for that portage range from 40 to 90 rods.
What to Expect
Dogs are welcome.
Accessibility
Reachable only by canoe with portages over uneven, rocky ground.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Pipestone Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Dogs are allowed in the Boundary Waters but must be kept on a leash 6 feet or shorter when not inside a tent.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Pipestone Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and early summer are ideal for visiting, as the water flow is typically stronger due to snowmelt and rainfall.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.
Safety Information
Land well away from the top of the falls when starting the portage, and wear a life jacket on the water.
Know when to go.
Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Winton hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Pipestone Falls Frozen?
Updated about 5 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately 1 more freezing day forecast
Pipestone Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 51°F to 34°F. 1 freezing day are forecast, so ice may start to form.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 1 of the next 7
- Flow
- no gauge
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.
Through the falls the surface drops roughly 64 feet over a short, steep run of tiers. Elevation at the pin is about 1,322 feet.
The ground changes about 55 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 35 feet in the 500 feet below. Facing east, the falls catch soft morning light.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 1,322 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 64 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- East
- Catches soft morning light.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading east).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
Start at Boundary Waters Entry Point 24 on Fall Lake, next to the Forest Service's Fall Lake Campground near Winton. Paddle to the Newton Falls portage, cross Newton Lake, and the falls are at its north end.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Park at the Fall Lake entry point, which has a canoe landing and boat ramp next to Fall Lake Campground.
Elevation
1,322 feet above sea level
Coordinates
48.001838° N, -91.731520° W
Land Management
Managed by USFS Restricted Access
Visitor Tips & Gear
Get a Boundary Waters permit before launching; a free self-issued permit covers day trips. Wear sturdy shoes for the rocky portage landings.
Where to Stay
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
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Nearby Campground
FALL LAKE
3.5 miles away · 66 sites
Overview Fall Lake Campground is located on the shores of Fall Lake and provides direct access into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). The campground opens in early May in time for walleye fishing season, making it a popular place for anglers. Others are drawn to Fall Lake for its birding, swimming, hiking and boating opportunities. Superior National Forest, located in northeastern Minnesota's arrowhead region, is comprised of 3 million acres. The forest spans 150 miles along the
Book on Recreation.govAdditional Information
Nearby Attractions
Newton Falls on the way in, Fall Lake Campground at the entry point, and Basswood Lake beyond Pipestone Bay.
Wildlife
This is northern forest and lake country with black bears; on overnight trips store food and dog food in bear-resistant containers.
Cities near Pipestone Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
LiDAR
Other waterfalls named Pipestone Falls
1 other waterfall shares this name across the U.S.
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