The best waterfalls near Saint Paul, Minnesota are Minnehaha Falls, Saint Anthony Falls, Shadow Falls and 5 more, ranked by visitor ratings and distance from the city. The closest is Shadow Falls, about 5 miles west of Saint Paul.
For more waterfalls around Saint Paul, browse the nearest towns: Mendota Heights, Falcon Heights, Minneapolis, North Mankato, Sandstone, Redwood Falls, Granite Falls, Two Harbors. You can also see every waterfall on the Minnesota waterfalls page.
How we picked: We looked at the 8 publicly accessible Minnesota waterfalls within 100 straight-line miles of Saint Paul that have at least five Google reviews, then ranked them by a weighted rating with a small penalty for distance, so a great waterfall close to town edges out an equally rated one far away.
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1. Minnehaha Falls
6 miles west of Saint Paul. Our top pick near the city 4.7 out of 5 from 2,855 reviews.
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Minnehaha Falls is about 6.1 miles west of Saint Paul, near Mendota Heights. Visitors rate it 4.7 stars across 2,855 Google reviews, and 81% of them give it five stars. In short: "Cycling, walking & seasonal wading pools are big draws to these cascading falls in a namesake park." Older records also call it Brown's Falls and Mini Haha.
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2. Saint Anthony Falls
8 miles west of Saint Paul. Rated 4.7 out of 5 from 84 reviews.
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Saint Anthony Falls is about 8.3 miles west of Saint Paul, in Minneapolis. Visitors rate it 4.7 stars across 84 Google reviews, and 77% of them give it five stars. In short: "Historic urban waterfall known for its hydroelectric dam & lock system & heritage trail loop." Name history: "Named by a French missionary, because ""of the many favors received through the intercession of that saint."""
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3. Shadow Falls
5 miles west of Saint Paul. Rated 4.6 out of 5 from 29 reviews.
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Shadow Falls is about 5.1 miles west of Saint Paul, near Falcon Heights. Visitors rate it 4.6 stars across 29 Google reviews, and 76% of them give it five stars.
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4. Minneopa Falls
74 miles southwest of Saint Paul. Rated 4.7 out of 5 from 184 reviews.
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Minneopa Falls is about 74 miles southwest of Saint Paul, near North Mankato. Visitors rate it 4.7 stars across 184 Google reviews, and 79% of them give it five stars.
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5. Wolf Creek Falls
84 miles north of Saint Paul. Rated 4.7 out of 5 from 34 reviews.
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Wolf Creek Falls is about 84 miles north of Saint Paul, near Sandstone. Visitors rate it 4.7 stars across 34 Google reviews, and 79% of them give it five stars. Reviews most often mention climbing, park, and hike.
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6. Big Spring Falls
82 miles north of Saint Paul. Rated 4.6 out of 5 from 73 reviews.
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Big Spring Falls is about 82 miles north of Saint Paul, near Sandstone. Visitors rate it 4.6 stars across 73 Google reviews, and 85% of them give it five stars. Reviews most often mention quiet place, river, and exploring.
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7. Minnemishinona Falls
72 miles southwest of Saint Paul. Rated 4.2 out of 5 from 54 reviews.
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Minnemishinona Falls is about 72 miles southwest of Saint Paul, near North Mankato. Visitors rate it 4.2 stars across 54 Google reviews, and 48% of them give it five stars. In short: "Formerly private, this 42-ft. waterfall offers public parking, picnic facilities & a viewing area."
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8. Minnewankon Falls
72 miles southwest of Saint Paul. Rated 1.6 out of 5 from 13 reviews.
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Minnewankon Falls is about 72 miles southwest of Saint Paul, near North Mankato. Visitors rate it 1.6 stars across 13 Google reviews.
Waterfall Day Trips From Saint Paul
| Waterfall | Distance | Nearest town | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shadow Falls | 5 mi west | Falcon Heights | 4.6 |
| Minnehaha Falls | 6 mi west | Mendota Heights | 4.7 |
| Saint Anthony Falls | 8 mi west | Minneapolis | 4.7 |
| Minnewankon Falls | 72 mi southwest | North Mankato | 1.6 |
| Minnemishinona Falls | 72 mi southwest | North Mankato | 4.2 |
| Minneopa Falls | 74 mi southwest | North Mankato | 4.7 |
| Big Spring Falls | 82 mi north | Sandstone | 4.6 |
| Wolf Creek Falls | 84 mi north | Sandstone | 4.7 |
Straight-line distances from downtown Saint Paul. Driving distances are longer, especially in the mountains.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best waterfall near Saint Paul?
Minnehaha Falls tops our 2026 list. It is about 6 miles west of Saint Paul and rated 4.7 stars from 2,855 Google reviews.
What is the closest waterfall to Saint Paul?
Of the waterfalls on this list, Shadow Falls is the closest, about 5 straight-line miles west of the city, near Falcon Heights.
How many waterfalls are near Saint Paul?
We track 8 publicly accessible, reviewed waterfalls in Minnesota within 100 miles of Saint Paul, 3 of this list's picks within 50 miles. See every waterfall in the state on the Minnesota waterfalls page.
How was this list made?
We looked at the 8 publicly accessible Minnesota waterfalls within 100 straight-line miles of Saint Paul that have at least five Google reviews, then ranked them by a weighted rating with a small penalty for distance, so a great waterfall close to town edges out an equally rated one far away.
Why are so many Minnesota waterfalls along Lake Superior?
North Shore rivers descend steeply from the uplands to the lake over hard volcanic rock from the ancient Midcontinent Rift. That short, steep drop over resistant rock produces many falls in a short distance.
Summary
Minnehaha Falls is our top waterfall pick near Saint Paul, rated 4.7 out of 5 and about 6 miles from the city. Ratings and review counts reflect public data at the time of writing and can change, and trail access and water levels vary through the year, so confirm conditions before you go.
Spring snowmelt drives Minnesota's peak season. On the North Shore, rivers typically surge from mid-April through May as the snowpack melts, and the falls can be thunderous then before thinning considerably by late summer. Heavy summer rains can refill them briefly. In the south, Minnehaha and Minneopa are fullest in spring and after storms, and Minnehaha can slow to a trickle during summer droughts. Late September to early October brings vivid fall color to the North Shore, along with heavy weekend traffic on Highway 61. Winter is long and cold: many falls freeze into ice columns, and some parks keep paths open for winter viewing, but icy stairs and ledges demand traction devices.
For more Minnesota waterfalls, see the full Minnesota waterfalls page, or read 15 Best Waterfalls in Minnesota, 10 Most Beautiful Waterfalls in Minnesota and 5 Must-See Waterfalls in Minnesota.