Ultimate Guide to Minnehaha Park, Minnesota (Tours, Pricing, History, Map)

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Minnehaha Park in Minneapolis is one of the oldest parks in Minnesota. It is a top-rated park and attracts more than 850,000 visitors. Overlooking the Mississippi River, the park has a 53 ft waterfall, limestone bluffs, various trees, and native woodland wildflowers. 

Minnehaha Falls Ice Caves are safe to visit, but one must exercise caution and follow the warning signs to avoid injury. Walking on the cave floor can be a bit slippery, and icicles can block your path. Many want to view the frozen falls without entering the ice caves beyond. For them, the lower public viewing platform is a good option, but one needs to get down 120 well-maintained steps.

History of Minnehaha Park

Minnehaha Falls were discovered by the White settlers around 1820, shortly after they have arrived in Minnesota. Located on the Mississippi River, the area along with Fort Snelling was one of the first places inhabited by the settlers of this region. In the 1850s, a small mill was built near the Falls, but the Minnehaha Falls produced less power than the neighboring St Anthony Falls, which was also on the Mississippi. Ultimately the mill was very soon abandoned.

Minnehaha Falls became a popular tourist destination after the publication of the poem, The Song of Hiawatha, in 1855. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote the song. Ironically, Longfellow never visited the Falls himself, but he was thoroughly impressed by the images and works of Native American scholars.

The land was finally purchased in 1889 by Minneapolis, and Horace Cleveland made plans for the park, which we see today. In 1890 tables and chairs were placed on the northern side of the Falls, and swings, restrooms, and hammocks were also constructed. The park became a pride for the city of Minneapolis as it overlooked the confluence of Minnehaha Creek and the Mississippi River.

In 1906, Minnehaha Park became one of the first state parks in the US that included the grounds of Mississippi Park and the parkways that are located on either side of the river, which is now known as Riverside Park. Since that time, Minnehaha Park has been a popular tourist destination for locals and tourists. 

Geological Cave Formations

Visitors to the park will view the ancient geological history of Minnesota as you walk the path that leads you to the Mississippi River. The uppermost layer of soils in Minnesota was deposited during the Ice Age almost 10,000 years ago. There have been four ice ages, and these have managed to sweep away all traces of the Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras. At the base of the Minnehaha Falls, one would enter the level of the Saint Peter Sandstone Formation made from pure white quartz sandstone. 

Wildlife in Minnehaha Park

Minnehaha Park is home to various birds, mammals, and insects. One would come across many fish species such as common carp, Smallmouth bass, and Walleye. 

Is Minnehaha Park Haunted?

There are many urban legends that say there are ghosts in the park, and people have seen them for more than 100 years. Some people say that a building used to be an orphanage and three children were killed in a fire, but none of these are true as there was never an orphanage on the site. 

People say that it is common at night to hear children’s laughter and run along the walks even if you are the only one in the park. There is no possible explanation for this as there never was an orphanage at the site. It is now believed that these sightings were all rumors. 

How Big is Minnehaha Park?

Minnehaha Park is spread over an area of 69 hectares. 

Minnehaha Park Tours

Getting to Minnehaha Falls is easy as you need to head down the steps and hike towards the far right of the Falls. There is no official park trail, but if you keep hiking to the far right side, you will encounter an opening in the ice caves that never freezes shut. One needs to duck the icicles and quickly get inside. The ground behind the Falls is level and is always full of ice in the winter. 

As you walk behind the Falls, you will witness the bright blue and aquamarine blue-colored ice. They look magical, and as you walk deeper into the cave, you will find the rainbow-streaked ice that varies as per temperature and the number of sunbeams hitting it.

As you continue, you will find that the ice has several openings, and you must stay away from them or slide down to the pond. So, it is a good idea to keep away from the openings and stay closer to the walls of the limestone bluff. Many families come with their children to the Falls to explore the surroundings, but we would personally not recommend coming here and exploring the Falls with children. 

Minnehaha Park Tour Prices and Discounts

There are no fees for entering Minnehaha Park or accessing the caves behind the waterfall. 

Is Minnehaha Park Cold?

The beautiful ice cave is formed by the frozen 53 ft high waterfall accessible by foot after a short hike. 

What to Wear?

Minnehaha Falls Park cave is the chief attraction here, but you need to go down several stairs to get a good view. We advise you wear comfortable walking shoes and loose clothing if you are coming in summer. In winter, however, do carry good warm clothes with you. If you are keen to go behind the Falls and explore the cave, we recommend wearing snow boots or a pair of hiking boots with a good grip. 

Minnehaha Park Hours

Minnehaha Park remains open from 6 am to 10 pm. 

What to Do at Minnehaha Park (Beside Tours)

Most people come to Minnehaha Park to view the beautiful water feature. Still, the park has a good collection of historical sculptures, a volleyball court, a picnic area, a wading pool, and gardens. 

View the sculptures

The park has a couple of sculptures, but the most well-known is the life-size bronze cast of Minnehaha & Hiawatha, the two characters from The Song of Hiawatha by Longfellow. The sculpture is on an island in the creek, very close to the Falls. 

See the Chief Little Crow’s mask

There is a mask of the Chief Little Crow near the Falls. The chief got killed in the 1862 Dakota conflict, and the mask represents the sacredness of the space. 

Walk the trails

You can walk on the miles of trails that span Minnehaha Park, going past the Minnehaha Falls and the limestone bluffs. You can also use the rental bikes on these trails in the summer. 

Check out the historical sites

You can tour the Longfellow House and the John H. Stevens House, which is the birthplace of ‘Minneapolis.’ Do not forget to visit the Princess Depot, which was on the 1st railroad line of the Mississippi River. 

Stroll through the gardens

You can smell the flowers at the Longfellow Garden, the song of Hiawatha Garden, and the Pergola Garden. The park grounds are beautified with birdbaths and fountains. The Pergola Garden is a favorite spot for photographers and selfie lovers. 

Best Time to Visit Minnehaha Park

Try to come to Minnehaha Park between early and late winter so that you can witness a fantastic spectacle with the Falls wholly frozen in the middle of winter. You can still access the cave if you like, but you will surely miss out on the melancholy sound of flowing water that you get to hear in the warmer months. The trail into the ice cave is closed to the public due to safety considerations. 

How to Get to Minnehaha Park

Minnehaha Park is at the intersection of Hiawatha Avenue and Minnehaha Parkway, which are on the banks of Mississippi in Minneapolis. The park is just across the river from the Highland Park neighborhood. To reach here, you can take the Hiawatha Light Rail Line to the Minnehaha Park Station. The park is very close to the station.

If you are coming here by your car, do remember that parking is limited only to metered spaces, and for the parking spots, you need to pay parking fees. The weekends are super busy here, so you must come here early. 

Hotels near Minnehaha Park

There are no camping sites at Minnehaha Park, but you can choose any of the hotels close to this place. The Snelling Motel, Intercontinental Minneapolis, and Quality Inn St Paul are some of the best hotels near this park. 

Minnehaha Park Fun Facts

• In the Native American Dakota language, Minnehaha means ‘falling water,’ which refers to the 10,000-year-old Falls. 
• The Minnehaha Falls is the most photographed location in the state and is visited by more than 850,000 people every year. 
• The park is known for its extensive collection of trees such as oak, silver maple, basswood, elm, cottonwood, and hackberry trees. 

Minnehaha Park Details 

• Length: The park is spread over 69 hectares, and the Minnehaha Falls Ice Cave is formed by a frozen 53 ft high waterfall. 
• Time Recommended: 1 to 2 hours
• Difficulty: Easy 
• Kid-friendly: No
• Dog-friendly: No
• Fees: Free, but parking is charged at USD 1.25
• Hours: 6 am to 10 pm  

Visiting Minnehaha Park

Do you need more information before visiting Minnehaha Park? Call (612) 230-6400 or email Minnehaha Park for an information packet. 

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