15 Best Waterfalls in Minnesota (2026 Updated)
Of the 42 named waterfalls in Minnesota, these 15 earn the strongest visitor ratings, led by Caribou Falls, Cascade Falls, and Pigeon Falls. The list spans the North Shore and the Arrowhead, Minnesota River Valley, and Twin Cities and the Kettle River.
How We Picked
We ranked the 25 publicly accessible Minnesota waterfalls with at least five Google reviews by a weighted rating that balances score against review volume, so a 4.9 from a dozen reviewers counts for less than a 4.8 from thousands. Every waterfall links to a full page with coordinates, maps and nearby falls.
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1. Caribou Falls
Silver Bay, MN · Lake County · North Shore and the Arrowhead
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.9-star Google rating and is the 5th most reviewed in the state, with 84 reviews. 90% of reviewers give it five stars. It is one of 31 named falls in the North Shore and the Arrowhead region. The nearest town is Silver Bay, about 16 miles to the southwest.
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2. Cascade Falls
Grand Marais, MN · Cook County · North Shore and the Arrowhead
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.9-star Google rating and is the 10th most reviewed in the state, with 45 reviews. 98% of reviewers give it five stars. It is one of 31 named falls in the North Shore and the Arrowhead region. The nearest town is Grand Marais, about 9.3 miles to the east.
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3. Pigeon Falls
Grand Marais, MN · Cook County · North Shore and the Arrowhead
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.9 stars across 41 reviews. 90% of reviewers give it five stars. Older records also call it High Falls. It is one of 31 named falls in the North Shore and the Arrowhead region. Middle Falls is only 1.0 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Grand Marais, about 38 miles to the southwest.
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4. Beaver River Falls
Silver Bay, MN · Lake County · North Shore and the Arrowhead
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 5.0 stars across 15 reviews. It is one of 31 named falls in the North Shore and the Arrowhead region. Glenn Avon Falls is only 2.1 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Silver Bay, about 2.8 miles to the northeast.
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5. Winnewissa Falls
Pipestone, MN · Pipestone County · Minnesota River Valley
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.9 stars across 19 reviews. Reviews most often mention walking and falls. It is one of 6 named falls in the Minnesota River Valley region. The nearest town is Pipestone, about 1.0 miles to the south.
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6. Gooseberry Falls
Two Harbors, MN · Lake County · North Shore and the Arrowhead
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.8-star Google rating and is the 3rd most reviewed in the state, with 106 reviews. 87% of reviewers give it five stars. Google's listing sums it up as: "Beautiful group of waterfalls & namesake of Gooseberry Falls State Park, with paths & viewpoints." Reviews most often mention paved trail, walking trails, peaceful experience, and views. It is one of 31 named falls in the North Shore and the Arrowhead region. The nearest town is Two Harbors, about 13 miles to the southwest.
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7. Ramsey Falls
Redwood Falls, MN · Redwood County · Minnesota River Valley
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.8-star Google rating and is the 7th most reviewed in the state, with 65 reviews. 83% of reviewers give it five stars. Google's listing sums it up as: "Scenic waterfall with a lookout in a large state park with camping & hiking trails." Reviews most often mention trails, suspension bridge, cleanliness, and scenery. It is one of 6 named falls in the Minnesota River Valley region. The nearest town is Redwood Falls, about 0.6 miles to the southeast.
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8. Johnson Falls
Grand Marais, MN · Cook County · North Shore and the Arrowhead
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 5.0 stars across 6 reviews. It is one of 31 named falls in the North Shore and the Arrowhead region. The nearest town is Grand Marais, about 22 miles to the south.
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9. Partridge Falls
Grand Marais, MN · Cook County · North Shore and the Arrowhead
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.8 stars across 22 reviews. 86% of reviewers give it five stars. Reviews most often mention gorgeous falls, rough road, trail to falls, and wheel. It is one of 31 named falls in the North Shore and the Arrowhead region. The nearest town is Grand Marais, about 28 miles to the southwest.
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10. Middle Falls
Grand Marais, MN · Cook County · North Shore and the Arrowhead
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.8 stars across 21 reviews. 81% of reviewers give it five stars. Reviews most often mention hike. Older records also call it Little Falls and High Falls. It is one of 31 named falls in the North Shore and the Arrowhead region. Pigeon Falls is only 1.0 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Grand Marais, about 38 miles to the southwest.
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11. Hidden Falls
Silver Bay, MN · Cook County · North Shore and the Arrowhead
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.8 stars across 15 reviews. It is one of 31 named falls in the North Shore and the Arrowhead region. The nearest town is Silver Bay, about 25 miles to the southwest.
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12. Minnehaha Falls
Mendota Heights, MN · Hennepin County · Twin Cities and the Kettle River
Why it made the list
It is the most reviewed waterfall in Minnesota, holding 4.7 stars across 2,855 Google reviews. 81% of reviewers give it five stars. Google's listing sums it up as: "Cycling, walking & seasonal wading pools are big draws to these cascading falls in a namesake park." Older records also call it Brown's Falls and Mini Haha. It is one of 5 named falls in the Twin Cities and the Kettle River region. Shadow Falls is only 2.0 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Mendota Heights, about 4.1 miles to the southeast.
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13. Minneopa Falls
North Mankato, MN · Nicollet County · Minnesota River Valley
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.7-star Google rating and is the 2nd most reviewed in the state, with 184 reviews. 79% of reviewers give it five stars. It is one of 6 named falls in the Minnesota River Valley region. Minnemishinona Falls is only 1.5 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is North Mankato, about 3.3 miles to the northeast.
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14. Saint Anthony Falls
Minneapolis, MN · Hennepin County · Twin Cities and the Kettle River
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.7-star Google rating and is the 4th most reviewed in the state, with 84 reviews. 77% of reviewers give it five stars. Google's listing sums it up as: "Historic urban waterfall known for its hydroelectric dam & lock system & heritage trail loop." Name history: "Named by a French missionary, because ""of the many favors received through the intercession of that saint.""" Older records also call it Hahamina and Falls of Saint Anthony. It is one of 5 named falls in the Twin Cities and the Kettle River region. It is right in Minneapolis.
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15. Illgen Falls
Silver Bay, MN · Lake County · North Shore and the Arrowhead
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.7-star Google rating and is the 9th most reviewed in the state, with 47 reviews. 85% of reviewers give it five stars. It is one of 31 named falls in the North Shore and the Arrowhead region. The nearest town is Silver Bay, about 4.9 miles to the southwest.
When to Visit Minnesota's Waterfalls
Spring snowmelt drives Minnesota's peak season. On the North Shore, rivers typically surge from mid-April through May as the snowpack melts, and the falls can be thunderous then before thinning considerably by late summer. Heavy summer rains can refill them briefly. In the south, Minnehaha and Minneopa are fullest in spring and after storms, and Minnehaha can slow to a trickle during summer droughts. Late September to early October brings vivid fall color to the North Shore, along with heavy weekend traffic on Highway 61. Winter is long and cold: many falls freeze into ice columns, and some parks keep paths open for winter viewing, but icy stairs and ledges demand traction devices.
Before You Go
Most of Minnesota's falls are on public land. The North Shore falls are largely protected by state parks and waysides, Minneapolis falls are in city and regional parks, and falls around Ely lie in or near the Superior National Forest and the Boundary Waters, where some require canoe travel. State parks require a vehicle permit, and popular lots at places such as Gooseberry Falls fill on summer and autumn weekends. North Shore rivers drop through narrow gorges with steep, wet rock; slipping into the river above a falls is a recurring cause of serious accidents, and spring flows are powerful. Lake Superior's water stays cold all year. In winter, ice-covered rocks and frozen spray are hazardous.
Read our waterfall safety rules and packing list before heading out.
Explore More Minnesota Waterfalls
See all 42 waterfalls in the Minnesota waterfall guide, or browse by town: Silver Bay, Grand Marais, Pipestone, Two Harbors, Redwood Falls, Mendota Heights, North Mankato, Minneapolis.
More Minnesota Waterfall Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best waterfall in Minnesota?
Caribou Falls tops our 2026 list, with a 4.9-star rating from 84 Google reviews. It is near Silver Bay in Lake County.
How was this list made?
We ranked the 25 publicly accessible Minnesota waterfalls with at least five Google reviews by a weighted rating that balances score against review volume, so a 4.9 from a dozen reviewers counts for less than a 4.8 from thousands.
How many waterfalls are in Minnesota?
Our directory lists 42 named waterfalls in Minnesota. See them all, sorted by town, in the Minnesota waterfall guide.
Why are so many Minnesota waterfalls along Lake Superior?
North Shore rivers descend steeply from the uplands to the lake over hard volcanic rock from the ancient Midcontinent Rift. That short, steep drop over resistant rock produces many falls in a short distance.