10 Most Beautiful Waterfalls in Minnesota (2026 Updated)
Ranked by what visitors photograph and rate five stars, these are the 10 most beautiful of Minnesota's 42 named waterfalls, starting with Gooseberry Falls. The list spans the North Shore and the Arrowhead, Minnesota River Valley, and Twin Cities and the Kettle River.
How We Picked
Beauty is subjective, so we let visitors decide. Among 25 publicly accessible Minnesota waterfalls with Google reviews and photos, we ranked by three signals: the share of five-star reviews, how many photos visitors have posted, and how often reviews mention scenery and views. Every waterfall links to a full page with coordinates, maps and nearby falls.
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1. Gooseberry Falls
Two Harbors, MN · Lake County · North Shore and the Arrowhead
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 784 photos of it on Google, about 7.4 for every review. 87% of its 106 reviewers rate it five stars (4.8 average). Its listing describes it as: "Beautiful group of waterfalls & namesake of Gooseberry Falls State Park, with paths & viewpoints." Reviewers single out its views, scenery, and beautiful place. 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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2. Ramsey Falls
Redwood Falls, MN · Redwood County · Minnesota River Valley
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 177 photos of it on Google, about 2.7 for every review. 83% of its 65 reviewers rate it five stars (4.8 average). Its listing describes it as: "Scenic waterfall with a lookout in a large state park with camping & hiking trails." Reviewers single out its scenery. The setting includes Lake Redwood (lake, 1.0 mi). 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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3. Minnehaha Falls
Mendota Heights, MN · Hennepin County · Twin Cities and the Kettle River
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 8,381 photos of it on Google, about 2.9 for every review. 81% of its 2,855 reviewers rate it five stars (4.7 average). Its listing describes it as: "Cycling, walking & seasonal wading pools are big draws to these cascading falls in a namesake park." The setting includes Lake Hiawatha (lake, 1.4 mi) and Lake Nokomis (lake, 1.6 mi). It is one of 5 named falls in the Twin Cities and the Kettle River region. The nearest town is Mendota Heights, about 4.1 miles to the southeast.
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4. Big Spring Falls
Sandstone, MN · Pine County · Twin Cities and the Kettle River
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 144 photos of it on Google. 85% of its 73 reviewers rate it five stars (4.6 average). Reviewers single out its views. It is one of 5 named falls in the Twin Cities and the Kettle River region. The nearest town is Sandstone, about 1.3 miles to the north.
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5. Caribou Falls
Silver Bay, MN · Lake County · North Shore and the Arrowhead
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 278 photos of it on Google, about 3.3 for every review. 90% of its 84 reviewers rate it five stars (4.9 average). 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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6. Partridge Falls
Grand Marais, MN · Cook County · North Shore and the Arrowhead
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 73 photos of it on Google, about 3.3 for every review. 86% of its 22 reviewers rate it five stars (4.8 average). Reviewers single out its gorgeous falls. 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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7. Pigeon Falls
Grand Marais, MN · Cook County · North Shore and the Arrowhead
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 297 photos of it on Google, about 7.2 for every review. 90% of its 41 reviewers rate it five stars (4.9 average). It is one of 31 named falls in the North Shore and the Arrowhead region. The nearest town is Grand Marais, about 38 miles to the southwest.
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8. Cascade Falls
Grand Marais, MN · Cook County · North Shore and the Arrowhead
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 102 photos of it on Google, about 2.3 for every review. 98% of its 45 reviewers rate it five stars (4.9 average). 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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9. Minneopa Falls
North Mankato, MN · Nicollet County · Minnesota River Valley
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 580 photos of it on Google, about 3.2 for every review. 79% of its 184 reviewers rate it five stars (4.7 average). It is one of 6 named falls in the Minnesota River Valley region. The nearest town is North Mankato, about 3.3 miles to the northeast.
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10. Little American Falls
Keewatin, MN · Koochiching County · North Shore and the Arrowhead
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 83 photos of it on Google, about 2.8 for every review. 77% of its 30 reviewers rate it five stars (4.7 average). Reviewers single out its beautiful area. It is one of 31 named falls in the North Shore and the Arrowhead region. The nearest town is Keewatin, about 44 miles to the southeast.
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. For better pictures, see our waterfall photography tips.
Explore More Minnesota Waterfalls
See all 42 waterfalls in the Minnesota waterfall guide, or browse by town: Two Harbors, Redwood Falls, Mendota Heights, Sandstone, Silver Bay, Grand Marais, North Mankato, Keewatin.
More Minnesota Waterfall Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most beautiful waterfall in Minnesota?
Gooseberry Falls tops our 2026 list, with a 4.8-star rating from 106 Google reviews. It is near Two Harbors in Lake County.
How was this list made?
Beauty is subjective, so we let visitors decide. Among 25 publicly accessible Minnesota waterfalls with Google reviews and photos, we ranked by three signals: the share of five-star reviews, how many photos visitors have posted, and how often reviews mention scenery and views.
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.
Does Minnehaha Falls freeze in winter?
It often does during prolonged cold, forming a column of ice that draws visitors to the park. In dry summers, by contrast, its flow can dwindle to a trickle.