Waterfalls in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota

There are only a couple of known waterfalls in North Dakota, but there are some others not too far away that you can visit. If you’re up for a long day trip, or even an overnight getaway, there are even more waterfalls to explore only a few hours away. Check out some of our favorite spots at Rydell Chevrolet Buick GMC.

Turtle River State Park

Located west of Grand Forks and about 8 miles from Larimore, there’s an easy walking trail in Turtle River State Park that will take you right to a waterfall. While it’s not a huge waterfall, Turtle River State Park still makes for a great outing. The trail is short, under 3/4 of a mile. It loops around, so you’ll end right where you start — no worries about getting lost.

The waterfalls here were constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) back in the 1930s.  Fisher Loop is the trail you want to locate for the waterfall. The trail begins at the CCC Shelter. Start walking from here, and you’ll be at the small waterfall in no time. To get back, follow the trail as it goes beyond the waterfall, across the river, and then into the wooded area. If you keep walking, you’ll eventually find yourself right back at the CCC Shelter again.

Overall, there are over 10 miles of trails at Turtle River State Park. The park also features year-round activities such as camping, cross-country skiing, sledding, mountain biking, and more.

Mineral Springs Waterfall

Mineral Springs is North Dakota’s only registered natural waterfall. It’s located in the Sheyenne State Forest, about 2.5 hours drive from Grand Forks. Motorized vehicles are prohibited on the trail. The trail is only open to people hiking, on horseback, or riding a bicycle.

Once you get on the trail, you’ll be hiking for a little over 2 miles before you reach the clearing of the second campsite. Here, you’ll see views of the small waterfall as it spills over the cliff. Mineral Springs Waterfall forms from a small underground spring that ultimately flows into the Sheyenne River.

While the waterfall isn’t on the scale of Niagara Falls, it’s still impressive. It’s pretty much a permanent waterfall, but it does freeze into ice formations during the winter.

Currently, the trail ends at the waterfall, but there are plans to extend it another two or three miles to reach Fort Ransom. Be sure to dress appropriately for a forest hike, which includes bringing bug spray. Hiking in early summer means a greater risk of ticks, so repellent is crucial.

Rendezvous Park

Located about 1.5 hours from Grand Forks in West Fargo, you can find Rendezvous Park with a small waterfall area that hosts ceremonies and other events. Although the waterfall is manmade, it is still a scenic spot to visit.

There’s no shortage of things to do at Rendezvous Park either. This includes basketball courts, a soccer field, batting cages, baseball diamonds, a skate park, two disc golf courses, and a sand volleyball court. During the winter months, you’ll find an ice rink, cross-country ski trails, a warming house, and more.

Rendezvous Park is a great option if you are hiking with someone who has limited mobility or who isn’t up for a mile or more walk. Here, they can still escape to nature without a strenuous hike.

Winnewissa Falls at Pipestone National Monument, Minnesota

About five hours south of Grand Forks, you’ll find Winnewissa Falls in Pipestone, Minnesota. Pipestone National Monument is home to the Pipestone quarries, which American Indians used for centuries. The red pipestone found here was used for ceremonial pipes.

You’ll find a museum, visitor center, gift shop, and seasonal pipestone carving demonstrations. Winnewissa Falls is about a 3/4 mile walk on a paved trail. It’s predominantly in the shade along the way, too. If you’re up for it, climb up some steps to get to the top of the falls for a great view. Just be careful, as it can be quite slippery.

The walk is interesting, as you’ll pass through some quarries and tall prairie grass. There are fascinating quartzite rock formations, and trail markers talk about the history of the region.

If you can time your visit after a good storm, the falls should be flowing even more than usual.

Falls Park in Sioux Falls, South Dakota

If you’re already making a weekend road trip to Winnewissa Falls, just under an hour away from there is Sioux Falls’s top attraction: the waterfalls at Falls Park. These waterfalls are right in town — in fact, you can walk to them from downtown. Falls Park is large, covering 123 acres. The waterfalls are an important part of Native American history and have remained a central focal point of the city since it was founded in 1856.

As you stroll along the park trails, you’ll see permanent sculptures and some of the city’s first buildings. There’s also a free five-story, 50-foot viewing tower where you can get a gorgeous panoramic view of the park.

During the winter months, the waterfalls get a festive look with Christmas-colored lights. Come back in the summer and have a bite to eat at the Falls Overlook Cafe, located in the original Sioux Falls Light and Power Company’s building. The building dates back to 1908, was abandoned in the 1970s, and was given to the city of Sioux Falls a few short years later.

Minneopa Falls in Mankato, Minnesota

Minneopa Falls is almost a six-hour drive headed toward Minneapolis. The trade-off is you get to see one of the biggest waterfalls in the southern part of Minnesota. Minneopa Falls is located at Minneopa State Park.

The waterfall overlook is a short walk from the parking lot area. You can cross the bridge between the two drops. The park is divided into two sections, with the falls on the smaller southern side. On the northern side, there are hiking trails, a 19th-century windmill, and a campground.

Know of Any Waterfalls We Missed?

Are there any other waterfalls closer to Grand Forks that we missed? Which waterfalls are your favorite to take a day trip to or enjoy as part of a weekend overnight adventure? Contact us at Rydell Chevrolet Buick GMC to share your favorites, so we can add them to our list.

Tags: Hiking, Outdoor Activities, Waterfalls
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