{"id":580,"date":"2016-01-24T15:52:03","date_gmt":"2016-01-24T21:52:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/daytripper28.com\/?p=580"},"modified":"2024-01-16T14:20:54","modified_gmt":"2024-01-16T20:20:54","slug":"the-frozen-falls","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/daytripper28.com\/the-frozen-falls\/","title":{"rendered":"Frozen Minnehaha Falls in Winter: How to see it legally"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Minnehaha\u2019s Frozen Waterfall is not to be missed. But how do you see it safely?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who are not accustomed to the north, winter can be one of the most beautiful times of the year. There have been many instances where I have wanted to stop the car just to capture what\u2019s in front of me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But nothing compares to seeing a waterfall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thankfully, Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis is just 30 minutes from my house, in the heart of Minneapolis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When most people think of looking at a waterfall, they think they have to venture into the woods. With these falls, go into the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The History Of Minnehaha Falls In Winter<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Minnehaha Falls Regional Park has been a part of Minnesota History for a while. It is home to the Minnehaha Depot<\/a>, built in 1875, the Longfellow House, and the John H. Stevens House.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The waterfalls first gained notoriety from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow\u2019s poem The Song of Hiawatha<\/a>. However, today it\u2019s known best for the pictures from those who ventured behind Minnehaha Falls in winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Minnehaha Falls is fed by Minnehaha Creek, before flowing into the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers. It is most famous for its ice cave. Every year people love to explore the frozen water that forms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The falls are part of the much larger Minnehaha Regional Park. The urban park is one of many in Minneapolis, but this is probably the most popular.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"The<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Does Minnehaha Falls Freeze In The Winter?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Yes, Minnehaha Falls does freeze in the winter. The falls, which are located in Minnesota, are known for their stunning appearance when they are frozen over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The freezing of the falls is a natural occurrence that happens each year when the temperature drops below freezing for an extended period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What To Do At Minnehaha Falls In Winter?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Minnehaha Falls has a lot going on at all times of the year. But during winter, it draws in most people who are looking to see the frozen falls. Besides the falls, there are also a lot of trails to take advantage of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the Gardens, biking, and caf\u00e9 that are popular in the summer will all be closed during winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Glimpse Of The Frozen Minnehaha Falls<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At the top of the falls, you can see water misting out from it. The base of the falls had a big mound of ice from where the water had been piling up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because the water is constantly moving, it is always changing. If we went back in a couple of weeks, we could probably notice a bunch of differences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You could see open water at the base of the falls where the ice had not fully formed. There are usually big openings between the frozen falls where you can see behind them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s these openings that people take advantage of. They use this to get behind the falls to see the ice cave formations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Frozen<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n
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\"Creek\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n
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\"Walkway\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The Dangers Of Minnehaha Falls In Winter<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As a warning, going to the base of the frozen falls is illegal, and even worse, behind the frozen falls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They have barricades up and no trespassing signs all over the place. To get down to the falls, you have to climb over a barricade that looks like a mangled fence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then going down a set of icy stairs that are not maintained at all in winter or scale down the snowy side of the riverbanks\u2019 walls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is when people venture out onto the ice, of unknown thickness and make their way through an opening in the wall of ice. Those who venture in are rewarded with a view of an ice cave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Notice you don\u2019t see a picture behind the falls? That\u2019s because it\u2019s illegal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legal Risks Of Minnehaha Falls<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

It is not safe for you to go down there, even if you are just planning on staying on the paved trails. The people that walked on the ice were just crazy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You are putting yourself at risk, along with anyone else that may try to rescue you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it comes down to ice conditions in a situation like this, don\u2019t do it. It\u2019s one thing to venture onto a lake, but when there is moving water involved, it\u2019s another story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The park is littered with No Trespassing signs at the stairs. If someone ignores these warning signs and enters the restricted area, they could be cited for trespassing or other offenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2017, falling ice injured a group of people as they went behind the falls<\/a>. Be smart and just don\u2019t do it. I wish that was just a single occurrence, but it happens every year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Safe Way To Explore Frozen Waterfalls<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Instead, stay up top and explore the park from all angles. Minnehaha Falls Regional Park has a great footbridge allowing guests to walk over the river from above, getting a new perspective on everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This allows guests to easily access the Falls from both sides. This will give you the best views of the falls.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"20160124_105803\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Another thing to do is walk around both sides of the falls. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the Parking lot side of the park, take the paved trail above the falls to the far end. There you\u2019ll get to stand right in front of the Frozen Minnehaha Falls from a distance.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Minnehaha<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Other Things to Know<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

How much does it cost to visit minnehaha Falls<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The waterfall is free to visit. Because of its popularity, they charge for parking. Don\u2019t worry, it\u2019s only $1.5 an hour and they take credit cards. On weekdays it\u2019s cheaper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can park near the waterfall on both sides of the park. One side is street parking and on the other, there is a parking lot. They have a free parking lot to the West of the falls by the Longfellow Gardens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to get to Minnehaha Falls<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Getting to Minnehaha Falls Regional Park is easy. It\u2019s right off of Hwy55.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As long as the snow isn\u2019t falling, the Minneapolis Park systems do an excellent job of keeping the pathways around the falls clean and dry, including the bridge going over the falls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are unsure of where to go from the parking lot, just follow the mass of people heading toward the river. You can\u2019t miss it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tips for your visit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n