Apr 15 2010
Minneopa Falls-Minneopa State Park near Mankato, Minnesota
What is it about waterfalls that draws us to them, watching and listening, feeling the spray, and wandering as close as we can? There’s something about a waterfall that pulls me back, again and again.
Just outside of Mankato, Minnesota, lies Minneopa Falls. Part of Minneopa State Park, a park permit is required to view the falls. There are two parts to Minneopa: the upper falls are smaller and wider, the rush of water through the creek. These falls are accessible by a paved path.
Crossing the bridge and continuing down the path, it is also possible to see the larger falls from the top, and those with a stroller or with mobility difficulties may wish to make this their vantage point.
For those who can navigate stairs and a short hike, however, continuing down to the creek offers a closer view of the falls.
Once at the bottom of the staircase, a bridge crosses the creek, and you can choose a path on either side that has been made by previous explorers. Although not a developed path, it’s well-worn, and children will probably be able to navigate it more easily than grandparents. If the water levels are particularly low, you may even be able to walk on the creek bed itself. At these times, the falls will be a mere trickle. After a rainy summer, the water will rush over the falls.
The falls section of the park also includes a picnic area, and a campground is located down the road in another part of the park.
If you like waterfalls and are in the Mankato area, you’ll also enjoy Minnemishinona Falls, just off the Judson Bottom Road near North Mankato.
I love reading your entries about places in my stomping grounds.
We love Minneopa and had our first child’s first birthday party there many years ago.
.-= Alicia´s last blog ..Photography Goodness =-.
On my goodness, I love those waterfall photos. How wonderful it must be to have access to them in Minnesota. We have a “waterfall” near our house, but it’s a scrawny undernourished one, typical for Southern California.
.-= Jennifer´s last blog ..US National Parks and American Vacations =-.
[...] Minneopa Falls, near Mankato, Minnesota. Also part of a state park, these falls can range from rushing and gushing in springtime to barely a trickle during a dry summer. Hiking trails and bridges above and below the falls allow you to get close to the water. [...]
[...] Minneopa Falls near Mankato. As part of Minneopa State Park, these falls can range from a mere trickle in a dry summer to a loud rush during spring thaw. Easily viewed from the top, or follow the paths and stairs to see from the bottom. [...]
[...] the Mankato area, stop to see a waterfall–either Minneopa Falls off MN 68 (state park admission required), or Minnemishinona Falls off the Judson Bottom Road (take [...]