Minnehaha Falls Loop Hiking Guide
Minnehaha Falls is the only waterfall most people will ever reach by light rail. Five minutes from the Blue Line's 50th Street station, Minnehaha Creek drops 53 feet over a limestone ledge into a wooded glen before winding on to the Mississippi. The loop around the falls is under a mile — short enough for a lunch break, and a different place in every season, from April's roar to the frozen column of February.
The Loop
The loop is about 0.9 miles with roughly 100 feet of gain, most of it on the stone staircases that lead down into the glen and back up. The WPA-era stairs are the main effort: steep, uneven and busy on summer weekends. From the bottom, a path follows the creek downstream through the glen, with views back up at the falls, before climbing back to the park.
South-Side Access
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board has reported that the south side of the falls — its stairs, walls and viewing areas — has been largely inaccessible because of deteriorating WPA-era stonework and eroding slopes, while the north-side stairs and viewing area remain open. A repair project was planned, including rebuilding the Lower Glen boardwalk, but completion dates have not been confirmed. Follow posted signs and fencing, and check the MPRB Minnehaha project page for the latest status.
Seasons
Peak flow comes with snowmelt from late April into mid-May, when the falls are loudest. In dry late summers the creek can shrink to a trickle. In winter, the falls often freeze into a column of ice from late January through mid-February, one of the most photographed sights in the Twin Cities. The stairs are icy in winter; traction devices help.
Getting There and Parking
The METRO Blue Line's 50th Street/Minnehaha Park station is about a five-minute walk from the falls, which is the easiest way to avoid parking. By car, the park has paid lots and metered street parking, with some free street parking in the surrounding neighbourhood. The main lot fills before mid-morning on summer weekends. Developed areas of the park are open from 6 a.m. to midnight.
Practicalities
There is no entry fee. Dogs are allowed on leash; the park's former off-leash area is being decommissioned. The glen is shaded and cooler than the city on hot days, but crowds are heavy on summer weekends, so go early or on a weekday. The creek trail continues downstream toward the Mississippi if you want a longer walk.
Hiking tips for Minnehaha Falls Loop
- Take the Blue Line to 50th Street/Minnehaha Park and skip the parking hunt entirely.
- Follow the posted fencing — the south-side stairs and viewing areas have been closed for repairs.
- Come from late April to mid-May for peak snowmelt flow.
- Wear traction on the stone stairs in winter; the frozen falls draw crowds and the steps ice over.
- Go early on summer weekends, when the lot fills before mid-morning.
Nearby trails to explore
- Pike Island Loop
- Theodore Wirth Loop
- Hyland and Bush Lakes Loop
Hike this trail with TrailMates
Minnehaha Falls is the easiest outdoor meetup in Minneapolis. Use TrailMates to find Twin Cities hikers for a lunchtime loop or a frozen-falls morning. Download the TrailMates app to connect.