Minnehaha Falls
Minneapolis, MN
A 16 m waterfall in a city park near the Mississippi, made famous by Longfellow’s The Song of Hiawatha. Paid parking lots fill on summer weekends; stairs lead down to the creek below the falls.
Minnehaha Falls is a waterfall in Minnehaha Falls Regional Park in Minneapolis, Minnesota (4801 S Minnehaha Drive). Minnehaha Creek plunges about 53 ft (16 m) into a gorge. At the foot of the gorge lies a sandy beach where the creek meets the Mississippi. The park is run by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board.
The falls became famous through Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem "The Song of Hiawatha". Longfellow never saw the falls himself. At the northwest end of the park, the Longfellow House Hospitality Center provides information on the Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway, a loop of about 50 miles (80 km) through the city. Paths along Minnehaha Parkway are used for running, cycling and inline skating.
Please check opening hours and on-site services beforehand.
- Nearest town
- Minneapolis, MN
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 44.9153, -93.2111
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and July–August. Cold, short days in November–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Lebanon Hills Campground West LoopCampsite10 mi from Minnehaha Falls · 57 pitchesCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Lebanon Hills Campground East LoopCampsite10 mi from Minnehaha Falls · 24 pitchesTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
- Bunker Hills CampgroundCampsite21 mi from Minnehaha FallsWaste disposal
- Afton State Park River SideCampsite22 mi from Minnehaha FallsTentsDrinking water
- Baker Park Reserve CampgroundCampsite22 mi from Minnehaha Falls · 200 pitchesTentsElectricity
- lake auburn campgroundCampsite23 mi from Minnehaha Falls · 57 pitchesTentsCaravansToilets
All campsites in Minnesota · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Minnehaha Falls?
Minnehaha Falls is in Minneapolis, MN, at GPS 44.9153, -93.2111. It is about 41 mi from Red Wing.
Can you camp near Minnehaha Falls?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Lebanon Hills Campground North Loop, about 10 mi away; within 25 mi there are 17 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Minnehaha Falls?
Minnehaha Falls is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Up the Mississippi to its source at Lake Itasca.
What is there to see near Minnehaha Falls?
Places worth a stop nearby: Mill City Museum (5 mi), Historic Downtown Stillwater (22 mi), Interstate State Park (43 mi) and SPAM Museum (87 mi).
When is the best time to visit Minnehaha Falls?
The most pleasant months are usually June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and July–August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)