LiDAR terrain view · USGS 3DEP
Wheelbarrow Falls
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainBefore 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 a multi-day canoe trip, not by a hiking trail.
About Wheelbarrow Falls
Wheelbarrow Falls is a set of falls on the Basswood River, the border river between Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Ontario's Quetico Provincial Park, between Upper Basswood Falls and Lower Basswood Falls. It is a canoe-route destination deep in the wilderness, reached by paddling across Basswood Lake rather than by a hiking trail. Paddlers carry around it on a rocky portage of about 50 rods.
The Setting
Wheelbarrow Falls sits at 1,260 feet within Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, in the foothills of Minnesota.
Trail & Hike Details
Trail Description
There is no hiking trail. The Wheelbarrow Falls portage is about 50 rods (roughly 275 yards) and rocky at both ends and along the trail; a shorter portage is also marked on maps but adds about a mile of paddling.
What to Expect
Dogs are welcome.
Accessibility
Reachable only by canoe with rocky portages; not suitable for visitors with limited mobility.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Wheelbarrow 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?
🤑 Fees are required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Wheelbarrow Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and early summer are ideal times to visit, as the waterfall flow is typically strongest due to snowmelt and rainfall.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.
Safety Information
Approach portage landings well away from the top of the falls, wear a life jacket, and portage rather than running the rapids.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Basswood River, 3 miles away, not on Wheelbarrow Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
1,080 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
About average for this time of year
Based on 95 years of record
3.48 ft
Water depth at gauge
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is about average for this time of year.
About This Gauge
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge BASSWOOD RIVER NEAR WINTON, MN (5 km away).
Today
Roaring
1166 cfs
6/10Tomorrow
Roaring
1109 cfs
8/10Fri
Roaring
1063 cfs
9/10Sat
Roaring
1052 cfs
9/10Sun
Roaring
1069 cfs
9/10Mon
Roaring
1069 cfs
9/10Tue
Roaring
1085 cfs
9/10Best window: Fri — roaring flow, mostly sunny (trip score 9/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late April to late July, peaking in May.
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 Winton hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Wheelbarrow Falls Frozen?
Updated about 5 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately big river, rarely freezes solid 1 more freezing day forecast
Wheelbarrow Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 51°F to 32°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
- 1030 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.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
Wheelbarrow Falls is reached by a multi-day canoe trip. Routes typically start at Boundary Waters entry points east of Ely, cross Basswood Lake, and continue down the Basswood River past Upper Basswood Falls.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Park at the Boundary Waters entry point where your trip begins; there is no road access to the falls.
Elevation
1,260 feet above sea level
Coordinates
48.117394° N, -91.691514° W
Land Management
Managed by USFS Restricted Access
Visitor Tips & Gear
Campsites below Lower Basswood Falls are considered the best on the river and fill early, so plan to arrive early in the day. Watch your footing on the rocky portage.
Where to Stay
Paddle Inn
Stay Inn Ely
Adventure Inn
Grand Ely Lodge
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
11.5 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
Upper Basswood Falls upstream and Lower Basswood Falls downstream on the Basswood River, with Crooked Lake below.
Wildlife
The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, birds, and small mammals. Keep an eye out for bald eagles and other bird species near the river.
Cities near Wheelbarrow Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
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