These are the Minnesota waterfalls that draw the biggest crowds, measured by Google review volume and led by Minnehaha Falls. Popular does not have to mean packed if you time it right.
For every waterfall we track nearby, see the full list of waterfalls in Minnesota, or browse by town: Mendota Heights, North Mankato, Two Harbors, Minneapolis, Silver Bay. You can also compare our best waterfalls in Minnesota and most beautiful waterfalls in Minnesota.
How we picked: Ranked purely by the number of Google reviews, the best public signal of how many people visit. Together these five account for 85% of all Google reviews of Minnesota waterfalls.
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1. Minnehaha Falls
Minnehaha Falls near Mendota Heights takes the top spot, rated 4.7 out of 5 from 2,855 reviews.
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2,855 Google reviews make it the most visited waterfall in Minnesota, about 74% of all reviews of the state's waterfalls. That is 15.5 times as many as Minneopa Falls in second place. Visitors have shared 8,381 photos of it. It averages 4.7 stars, with 81% five-star reviews. "Cycling, walking & seasonal wading pools are big draws to these cascading falls in a namesake park." Expect company: arrive early on weekends and holidays, when parking fills first. The nearest town is Mendota Heights, about 4.1 miles to the southeast.
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2. Minneopa Falls
Minneopa Falls, near North Mankato, is next up, rated 4.7 out of 5 from 184 reviews.
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184 Google reviews make it number 2 in Minnesota, about 5% of all reviews of the state's waterfalls. Visitors have shared 580 photos of it. It averages 4.7 stars, with 79% five-star reviews. The nearest town is North Mankato, about 3.3 miles to the northeast.
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3. Gooseberry Falls
Gooseberry Falls, near Two Harbors, is next up, rated 4.8 out of 5 from 106 reviews. Visitors come here for paved trail, walking trails, and peaceful experience.
Silver Creek Township, MN 55616
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106 Google reviews make it number 3 in Minnesota, about 3% of all reviews of the state's waterfalls. Visitors have shared 784 photos of it. It averages 4.8 stars, with 87% five-star reviews. "Beautiful group of waterfalls & namesake of Gooseberry Falls State Park, with paths & viewpoints." Reviews most often mention paved trail, walking trails, and peaceful experience. The nearest town is Two Harbors, about 13 miles to the southwest.
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4. Saint Anthony Falls
Saint Anthony Falls in Minneapolis is another strong option, rated 4.7 out of 5 from 84 reviews.
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84 Google reviews make it number 4 in Minnesota, about 2% of all reviews of the state's waterfalls. Visitors have shared 418 photos of it. It averages 4.7 stars, with 77% five-star reviews. "Historic urban waterfall known for its hydroelectric dam & lock system & heritage trail loop." It is right in Minneapolis.
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5. Caribou Falls
Caribou Falls near Silver Bay rounds out this stretch of the list, rated 4.9 out of 5 from 84 reviews.
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84 Google reviews make it number 5 in Minnesota, about 2% of all reviews of the state's waterfalls. Visitors have shared 278 photos of it. It averages 4.9 stars, with 90% five-star reviews. The nearest town is Silver Bay, about 16 miles to the southwest.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most visited waterfall in Minnesota?
Minnehaha Falls tops our 2026 list, with a 4.7-star rating from 2,855 Google reviews. It is near Mendota Heights in Hennepin County.
How was this list made?
Ranked purely by the number of Google reviews, the best public signal of how many people visit. Together these five account for 85% of all Google reviews of Minnesota waterfalls.
How many waterfalls are in Minnesota?
Our directory lists 42 waterfalls in Minnesota. See every one, with filters and a map, on the Minnesota waterfalls page.
Does Minnehaha Falls freeze in winter?
It often does during prolonged cold, forming a column of ice that draws visitors to the park. In dry summers, by contrast, its flow can dwindle to a trickle.
Summary
Minnehaha Falls near Mendota Heights is our top pick for most visited waterfalls in Minnesota, rated 4.7 out of 5 from 2,855 reviews. Ratings and review counts reflect public data at the time of writing and can change, and trail access, water levels and road conditions vary through the year, so confirm current conditions before you drive out.
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 options, see every waterfall on the Minnesota waterfalls page, read 15 Best Waterfalls in Minnesota, or check our waterfall safety tips before you go.