It’s well-known that Minnesota is the Land of 10,000 Lakes (the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said it’s actually closer to 11,842), but that’s not the only aquatic feature in Minnesota. There is a fair share of waterfalls in Minnesota as well, with approximately 133 named falls to be exact.
While there are waterfalls across much of Minnesota, most of the state’s waterfalls can be found along the North Shore of Lake Superior, including High Falls on the Pigeon River, the state’s tallest waterfall at 120 feet.
Although Minnesota has many waterfalls, not all of them are ideal for swimming. There are many risks associated with swimming in waterfalls, and the activity is banned at several waterfall sites, including Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis’ Minnehaha Park.
Despite that, there are still waterfalls where visitors can wade around in the water, or go for a swim. From waterfalls that tower from massive heights into pools below, to gentle cascades that stretch across several falls, here are some of the waterfalls in Minnesota that you can actually swim in.
1. High Falls
Where is it: Tettegouche State Park, 5702 MN-61, Silver Bay, Minn.
How to get there: From the Tettegouche State Park Visitor Center, take the trail to the mouth of the Baptism River, and follow a side stairway, which will take visitors to Two Step Falls, as well as High Falls. High Falls is a 1.5-mile hike one-way from the Visitor Center.
Where to park: Parking is available at the main Visitor Center lot
Best time of year to visit: Summer for swimming, late April or early May for peak waterfall flow viewing because of snowmelt
The name High Falls isn’t an exaggeration when it comes to the Tettegouche State Park waterfall. Standing at 63 feet tall, High Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in the state. There is a lookout from above the waterfall, but importantly for swimmers, the soaring fall empties into a large pool. Swimming isn’t regularly advised at High Falls, although not banned altogether, and wading is permitted.
Another swimming option near the massive waterfall is the much shorter Two Step Falls. Located just downstream along the Baptism River from High Falls, Two Step Falls is a 12-foot waterfall, which features water cascading gently down a rocky drop, ending in a gentle pool that is optimal for swimming. Also located inside the State Park is Lake Superior Beach, or Baptism River Beach, giving visitors another swimming option.
2. Big Spring Falls
Where is it: Banning State Park, 61101 Banning Park Road, Sandstone, Minn.
How to get there: From Sandstone, take Main St. to Third St. heading east. After approximately 0.3 miles, turn right on Pine Ave. North, and follow the road for 1.5 miles until arriving at a small parking lot for the Big Spring Falls trailhead.
Where to park: In the small parking lot near the trailhead
Best time of year to visit: Summer
Big Spring Falls, located near Sandstone, Minn., isn’t the tallest waterfall, but what it lacks in height it makes up for in scenic beauty. Located near a small island in the Kettle River, with rapids on the other side, Big Spring Falls is surrounded by picturesque rock formations and empties into the flowing river, where swimmers can take a dip. If the current at Big Spring Falls is a bit too strong for swimming, try Wolf Creek Falls, a small waterfall also located in Banning State Park.
The waterfall is part of the Kettle River, an 83.6-mile-long river in eastern Minnesota that is a tributary of the St. Croix River. Technically, the falls are part of Banning State Park, but aren’t actually located within the main part of the park. Instead, visitors can access the falls by either paddling downriver for 1.5 miles from Robinson Park, or driving from the city of Sandstone, Minn.
3. Caribou Falls
Where is it: Caribou Falls State Wayside, 7232 MN-61, Silver Bay, Minn.
How to get there: Located directly off of State Highway 61, there is a 0.75-mile trail from the Caribou Falls State Wayside that leads to Caribou Falls.
Where to park: At the Caribou Falls State Wayside parking lot
Best time of year to visit: Open from May through mid-November; the best time for swimming is during the summer
Some waterfalls are hidden away and take a lengthy hike to reach, but that’s not the case for Caribou Falls, a 40-foot-tall waterfall located near State Highway 61. The waterfall cascades down nearby cliffs and drops into a calm pool that’s ideal for swimming when the water flow from the Caribou River isn’t too heavy.
It’s best to swim at Caribou Falls during the summer, not just because the weather is warmer than spring or fall, but also because it is when there is the lowest water flow; otherwise, there might be dangerous currents.
4. Illgen Falls
Where is it: Tettegouche State Park, 5702 MN-61, Silver Bay, Minn.
How to get there: Travel north past Tettegouche State Park, and then turn left onto State Highway 1 West. After 1.6 miles, there will be a gravel pull-off on the left. Follow a path for 0.2 miles past a cabin, which will end at the top of the falls. Another path takes visitors to the base of the falls.
Where to park: At the gravel pull-off
Best time of year to visit: Summer for swimming, springtime for peak water flow
At Illgen Falls, in Tettegouche State Park, water roars down the 40-foot waterfall and tumbles into a large pool at the bottom of the falls, making it an enticing swimming spot for anyone who ventures out to the waterfall. Visitors can use the pool at the bottom of Illgen Falls for swimming or cliff jumping, but should be careful of slippery rocks and strong currents, as the water continues along the river.
Named for nearby Illgen City, Illgen Falls is located along the Baptism River, just like fellow Tettegouche State Park waterfall, High Falls, and can be reached easily by a 0.2-mile hike.
5. Lester River Trail
Where is it: Lester Park, 61 Lester River Road, Duluth, Minn.
How to get there: From the Lester Trail Center parking lot, follow signs for the Lester River Trail.
Where to park: Free parking is available at the Lester Trail Center parking lot
Best time of year to visit: Springtime for heavy flow in waterfalls, summer for ideal weather and good swimming conditions, fall for autumnal foliage
Rather than visiting one waterfall, a hike around the Lester River Trail allows visitors the chance to see, and swim in, two named waterfalls, as well as some smaller cascades. The loop trail starts in Duluth’s Lester Park, and spans more than five miles, along Amity Creek and the Lester River.
Both Amity Falls and Lester Falls are approximately 20 feet tall, and fall into gentle pools that are optimal for swimming. Swimming is allowed in Lester Park, although there are no lifeguards, so it’s recommended to exercise caution while swimming in the park’s rivers and waterfalls.
6. Big Falls
Where is it: Big Falls, Minn.
How to get there: From the city of Big Falls, head north on US-71 North, and take a left onto the first small access road almost immediately after crossing the Big Fork River, then turn left and there will be a parking lot
Where to park: There is parking near the waterfall
Best time of year to visit: During the summer when water levels are lower
More a series of rapids, rather than one specific waterfall, Big Falls is appropriately located in the city of Big Falls, Minn. The Koochiching County-based city was named for the famed waterfall.
You could pay a lot of money to go to a waterpark, or you could enjoy a naturally-formed waterpark during the summer months at Big Falls, located in the city of Big Falls, Minn. Located along the Big Fork River, Big Falls drops 40 feet over a series of rapids within a 0.25-mile stretch of the river, creating many natural water slides and small waterfalls that are perfect for swimming in during the summer.
It’s inadvisable to swim in the river during the springtime because of the weather and because the current will be much stronger and faster due to more water from snowmelt.
What are the risks of swimming in waterfalls?
Before hitting the road in search of one of Minnesota’s many waterfalls, be sure to learn the risks that can be associated with swimming in the scenic natural wonders, as many of Minnesota’s waterfalls are unsuitable for swimming.
Waterfalls can be dangerous swimming areas for many reasons, like strong and fast-moving currents caused by the falls themselves, slippery rocks, extremely cold water, or the pooled water underneath a waterfall can be a host to a number of different bacteria.
If you do go swimming in waterfalls, don’t trespass, pay attention to posted signage, and exercise caution.
This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
