Backyard Destinations

If you’re craving a dose of nature that’s not too far from Minneapolis, Minnehaha Falls Regional Park is a great place to go. It’s just 5 to 6 miles south of Downtown Minneapolis, is free to enter, and is easily accessible via the Metro Blue Line. If you decide to drive, then there is parking on site where you’ll have to pay a fee.

The highlight at the park is the 53-foot waterfall – Minnehaha Falls – which received national fame through New England poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s “Song of Hiawatha.” But fun fact: Longfellow never actually saw the falls 😛

Getting to the Minnehaha Falls is pretty easy: from the front of the park, you just have to walk toward this area:

… and go down a little over 100 steps (I counted 113) before you’ll be able to see it. But there’s also a 5-mile trail you can take and you’re allowed to bring your dog on a leash there if you have one!

Minnehaha Falls is a beautiful, scenic gem in Minneapolis that attracts more than 850,000 visitors per year. The best place to really see it and take pictures is behind a fence with a sign that says “KEEP OUT,” (a number of people went behind the fence, btw) but if you continue across the bridge on site, there’s a pocket of space on the right side where you can also get a decent view of the falls.

A nice view of the falls from this spot

It’s really a relaxing spot to indulge in and just listen to the water flow down Minnehaha creek.

I visited the park mainly just for the falls, but there are other things to check out as well, including the John H. Stevens House, Song of Hiawatha Garden, Minnehaha Falls Pergola Garden, the Off-Leash Dog Park, Longfellow House, Longfellow Gardens, and Princess Depot.

As an outdoor enthusiast, this place is really one of my favorites in Minneapolis. I highly recommend a visit for those who happen to be in the area. It’s always good to get outside 🙂

Minnehaha Regional Park is located at:
4801 S Minnehaha Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55417

It’s open from 6 a.m. to midnight.