Minnehaha Park

This was the most fun I’ve had exploring Minneapolis in the few months I’ve lived here. The park (even when covered in snow) is beautiful. There is a lovely overlook to see the falls and plenty of opportunity and angles to get some killer pictures. Or you can be a rebel and cross the Do Not Trespass sign (everyone was doing it, it wasn’t too rebellish) and SLOWLY walk down the slippery stairs to see the falls up close and personal. Make sure you wear good shoes with traction (real boots, not fuzzy Uggs ladies) and take your time. Enjoy the beauty.

This is such a beautiful must-​see in Minneapolis! It’s peaceful and a nice place to hike. It also lends itself to some good photos!

This is definitely a gem. Even with all the lakes and trees everywhere else, it is still amazing that this huge park exists so close to the city. I didn’t explore the entire park, just leisurely walked around and checked out the waterfall (looks better in person than in pictures), but I can imagine spending hours here. I didn’t make it here until my third time in Minneapolis, but I definitely recommend making some time to find some peace here!

We came on a recommendation from a friend and former resident. It was a vast park with lots to see. It is very common for cycling and runners since it has a trail that runs into the adjacent parks and offers some good views of the Mississippi and of course the infamous falls. The park is also located sort of near downtown so we were able to stop in on the way to see other sights. To be honest, this was my favorite destination in town. My family went a few miles down mostly tree covered trails just enjoying the surrounding. Very peaceful, although busy, slice of tranquility.

Minnehaha Park is my favorite places in the city. For a park in the heart of the Twin Cities, it’s impressively packed with trails, playgrounds, the falls, several beach and fishing spots, and a shelter where you can get delicious food and beer (search for Sea Salt!). Parking is a beast, but there are plenty spots and not too expensive. And now that Minnehaha Avenue is open again, getting around the area is not as brutal.
This park is worth a visit for out of towners and locals alike. Grab your bug spray, since the mosquitos are relentless. Multiple visits required to experience the falls during all seasons. So bookmark this park already and come back often!

This gem of a park was on the bucket list for a friend who recently moved to the area. I went out to visit her last week and we decided to strike this off her To-Do’s with a short visit and walk through. The falls are located in the large park — look for the stairs and ramps and you’ll find it.
A gorgeous little river (Called the Mississippi, haha) tumbles over the falls. It’s quite a drop so the imagery is stunning. Photo op to say the least! The girls and I posed and snapped along with the rest of the visitors but also just took a few moments to enjoy the magical, almost fairy land like, atmosphere.
There’s also a lovely old white historical house with a totally darling garden. It’s called the John Harrington Stevens House. He was the first «authorized» resident ever on the West side of the Mississippi River and built the place in 1850 — although it wasn’t the original site and has been since moved to the park. Another beautiful spot to explore or maybe take wedding pictures at.
A day in the Minnehaha Park is a day well spent among the greenery, towering trees and hidden corners to explore. If you need a stroll or some nature time — I very much suggest it!

A beautiful park in the vicinity of the city, with a waterfall that comes from a stream gliding through the city towards the Mississippi. Stairs to the bottom of the waterfall (forget handicapped friendliness, it was over 108 on the count on the way up), and a couple routes lead to lookouts rather than up all the way, so watch out.
Popular place for proposals (we passed by one) and they have these rental bikes for families and shared experiences. Fun times, and not too expensive. Parking along the roads in the park is credit card, and cheap, you don’t have to carry quarters everywhere.
Lots of space for bikers and people jogging, kids to run around, and in the winter the fall apparently freezes over and people can ice climb up to the top!

How amazing is it to see a waterfall, in a park, inside the city! There are many levels to this park. Sea Salt eatery, music, movies, waterfalls, bike and walking/​hiking trails and more. There are always people and dogs out enjoying nature here. I have also done some bike rides and 5k runs through this park. It’s open all year round. The fall is beautiful once the trees start to change colors! I also love to go here during the winter. Once the falls have frozen, the frozen views are beautiful. There are parts of the falls that are safe to climb behind and take photos.
This is a great park to take out of town guests to visit!

Great view of the falls and loved hiking to see the Mississippi River. It was muddy in parts but the hike I did was a little over 3 miles.

My husband and I were visiting Minneapolis and we brought our dog with us. We decided to go to this park because it was a dog friendly activity, we were intrigued by the waterfall, and we wanted to do something that would wear out our dog so he would sleep most of the afternoon.
We parked and walked towards the waterfall. The waterfall was lovely. It was 9:30 AM and there weren’t many people. We decided to keep walking and before we knew it, we were on a hike. The trail follows the creek as it flows towards the Mississippi River. It was so neat walking up to the Mississippi River. All the nature was just beautiful. We also stumbled upon a quaint old train station.
Overall, I would definitely recommend. It was a neat experience as a tourist and isn’t something that I normally would do. But the park and the nature was so lovely and such a cool spot in the middle of a metropolitan area.

Not a bad park to spend 2 hours. We started off at the waterfall, which may have been more impressive than normal due to the recent rainfall, and walked down to the Mississippi River. The ground was pretty muddy at points due to the rain. However, the park is beautiful and worth a visit. Parking is $ 1 per hour.
I wasn’t planning to go deep into the park so I wasn’t prepared with bug spray. I HIGHLY recommend using it because I got bitten 3 times on my neck and face… Because everywhere else was covered. Thanks nature.

«Stefanie,» I whispered, «What are we doing? What is this?»
We met at the falls because we had nowhere else to go. Her father, the flour baron, would never let me anywhere near his daughter and their Linden Hills estate. Me, a lowly miller at one of his mills along the Mississippi. All of my family’s possessions combined would barely be worth one of Baron Caulfield’s chandeliers. Yet there I was, a poor miller not long off the boat from a Bulgarian village, holding hands with Stefanie Caulfield in a cave behind Minnehaha Falls.
«I don’t know Anton. I just know what I feel. Father be damned!» Stefanie was shouting now, her voice echoing throughout the cave. «For heaven’s sake it’s 1922! I’m a modern woman and I choose who I love.»
«Stefanie please keep you voice down,» I cautioned, «you know your father’s henchmen have eyes all over the city.»
«Let’s run away Anton. Let’s go anywhere at all. My father can’t be everywhere and besides…»
All at once the cave was full of gruff men in heavy coats. Before I could yell Stefanie’s name I was silence by a baton to the head. Half of the men descended upon me with batons and clubs. The other half surrounded Stefanie and easily dragged her out of the cave. «Your father wants you home now,» I overheard as I slipped out of consciousness, «and you’re not to be seen with that Bulgarian mill rat ever again!»
When I came to maybe an hour later the only hint that Stefanie had been there at all was her floral print scarf, tossed on the cave’s floor during the scuffle. I clutched the scarf to my chest. The waterfall continued it’s ceaseless pounding. I knew that by nightfall I would seek revenge on Baron Caulfield. I stepped out of the cave and watched as the water flowed from the falls into the creek below. Eventually that water would reach the Mississippi and begin a journey southward. In a day’s time, Stefanie and I would follow that river on a journey of our own, a journey of escape. For now, though, there was nothing to do but wait and let the pounding of the waterfall echo the pounding in my chest.

This is an absolutely beautiful park! Clean grounds (and clean air) with a lot of walking you can do around here.
Of course, you have the Minnehaha Falls which was a gorgeous experience! With a little trespassing (not sure if that’s a constant thing), but I got to see the falls up close and personal. It’s too bad that the falls were frozen, but it was still an amazing site.
Although somewhat irrelevant to the park, I have never been honked at some many times in one area — literally 5+ times. Taking your time and slowing things down to enjoy nature and its beauty is apparently not okay! Either way, hope to see the falls in the future when it’s flowing!

Always a beautiful area of the cities. The park is free but parking is by permit or meter and be advised keeping with the rumor the digital meters have a difficult time with credit card transactions in frigid weather. A place for a winter walk or summer stroll and always something to see. In Feb. the falls was frozen, so here’s another picture of the completely frozen falls. You never see this image from the Chamber of Commerce.

This is a must see in the Twin Cities! It was a chilly day when we went, but it was worth it. We walked around and saw a few of the bridges in the area, took in the beautiful scenery, and, of course, checked out the frozen falls.
We had a bit of trouble figuring out where to park and walk down, but some locals were kind enough to point us in the right direction. It is free to park and walk around the park.
I appreciated that they had a path to walk on through the woods. The walkway is close to the river/​creek and would have been slippery and frozen. Even though I like nature to be left as is, I found that it made the park more accessible for everyone.
This area is beautiful! Make sure to check out this FREE place when in the area.

I went to Minnehaha Park for a mini walk. Minne what? Minnie-​ha-​ha. Yup, that’s the name of the park. I know, I was confused too. This isn’t your everyday park with a playground. It has the Minnehaha Fall that is a 53 foot waterfall. This Minnehaha Park is on Minnehaha Creek that connects to the Mississippi River.
This is a great park to visit during the fall season when the leaves are golden. There’s a lot to see here with the trees, waterfall, creek, and just nature itself. It’s peaceful and relaxing to just sit around the park. It’s also a great place to work out if you want to run around.
There’s a flat hiking trail that leads you to the Mississippi River. There’s plenty of beautiful spots for pictures at the Minnehaha Park.

Love this park! So do my children! So much so that my kids asked that we live very near it! An amazing natural resource to the City of Minneapolis!
The much needed updating of the playground is definitely a big hit with my kiddos!
The Stevens House «tour» was actually very interesting and very much enjoyed by my children.
Love hiking the trails anytime of year although the stairs during winter can be morphed into an ice ramp!
Have taken countless people to Minnehaha Falls over the decades!
Parking can be a challenge. Bike if you can.
Great food at the Sea Salt!

Wow what a mighty waterfall!
Simply gorgeous and great lil trails to take a walk or ride bikes.
I don’t see many waterfalls. the biggest I’ve ever seen so far was in Portland but, something about Minnehaha Falls and being able to get so close felt really special and full of energy.
This place is an absolute must see if you’re ever in MN!

Trails!
Forests!
Waterfalls!
Large though crowded
Park with nature and history in spades.

I love this park, the only problem is that many others love the park too so parking can be a pain.
There are lot of easy paved places to view the falls but also plenty of trails if you want to get a little further away. I would recommend wearing sturdy sandals or tennis shoes if you plan to take the trails. Also be prepared to get a little muddy, there are some places where you may have to walk through water or mud. There are also a few slippery spots and areas where you need stable footing.
I would recommend the falls and top part of the park to anyone because it is accessible to all but I would say the trails on the bottom are a little more difficult and not for strollers or anyone who has difficulty walking.