Cascade River Falls Hike
Waterfall | Minnesota
0.5 mi loop
Cascade River Falls Hike at a Glance
The Cascade River Falls hike via the Cascade River Lower Loop is 0.5 mi loop.
| Elevation at the falls | ≈ 720 ft |
|---|---|
| Trail | Cascade River Lower Loop |
| Distance | 0.5 mi loop |
Your time: about 10 min of moving time at Naismith pace (3 mph plus 1 hour per 2,000 ft climbed). A 160 lb hiker with a daypack burns roughly 90 kcal. No elevation gain is published for this route, so climbing time isn’t included.
Adjust for your pace and breaks →Route line not shown. The 0.5 mi distance for this hike is verified (files.dnr.state.mn.us), but we don't yet have a trail track we trust, so the map shows only the destination. Carry an official map.
About Cascade River Falls
Cascade River Falls is a waterfall in Minnesota, on land managed by Cascade River State Park (Minnesota DNR).
The Hike
The hike to the falls follows the Cascade River Lower Loop: 0.5 miles as a loop, from Highway 61 parking area at the mouth of the Cascade River. Distance from files.dnr.state.mn.us.
Before You Go
- A vehicle permit is required and can be bought at the park office or entrance kiosk. (files.dnr.state.mn.us)
- Pets must be kept on a 6-foot leash, picked up after and attended at all times, and are not allowed in buildings or at beaches. (files.dnr.state.mn.us)
- Swimming is not recommended. (files.dnr.state.mn.us)
- Rock around waterfalls is slick when wet; stay on the trail and back from the edge.
- Check Cascade River State Park (Minnesota DNR) for current conditions, closures and parking before you go.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the hike to Cascade River Falls?
The Cascade River Lower Loop to Cascade River Falls is 0.5 miles as a loop.
Where does the Cascade River Falls hike start?
It starts from Highway 61 parking area at the mouth of the Cascade River.
Is there a fee to hike to Cascade River Falls?
A vehicle permit is required and can be bought at the park office or entrance kiosk.
Are dogs allowed on the Cascade River Falls trail?
Pets must be kept on a 6-foot leash, picked up after and attended at all times, and are not allowed in buildings or at beaches.
Safety Information
Current Hazards
- Slippery wet rock near the falls
- Fast, high water after rain or snowmelt
- Check weather before departure
Turn-Around Time
3:00 PM
Plan to reach the falls by this time so you are back before dark.
Essential Gear Checklist
* Critical items - do not hike without these
Emergency Contacts
Emergency / Search & Rescue
911Point Forecast
NWS Point Forecast →In most of the US, backcountry search and rescue is dispatched through 911 — tell the operator you have a hiker emergency and your GPS coordinates.
Downloads
Sources for The Cascade River Falls Guide
Where the trail data, elevation and route line on this page come from.
- Verified against
- files.dnr.state.mn.us
- Distance
- files.dnr.state.mn.us
- Falls location
- openstreetmap.org
- Elevation
- ≈ Copernicus GLO-90 elevation model at the falls coordinates (via Open-Meteo)
Conditions change. Check the land manager for closures, fees and weather before you go.
Nearby Hikes
Other hikes within 30 miles of Cascade River Falls.