Hidden Falls (Nerstrand) Hike
Waterfall | Minnesota
1 mi round trip
98 ft
Easy
Hidden Falls (Nerstrand) Hike at a Glance
The Hidden Falls (Nerstrand) hike via the Hidden Falls Trail is 1 mi round trip with 98 ft of elevation gain.
| Elevation at the falls | ≈ 1,140 ft |
|---|---|
| Trail | Hidden Falls Trail |
| Distance | 1 mi round trip |
| Elevation gain | 98 ft |
| Difficulty | Easy |
Your time: about 25 min of moving time at Naismith pace (3 mph plus 1 hour per 2,000 ft climbed); about 30 min at a relaxed pace. A 160 lb hiker with a daypack burns roughly 220 kcal.
Adjust for your pace and breaks →Route line not shown. The 1 mi distance and 98 ft of gain for this hike are verified (hikingproject.com), but we don't yet have a trail track we trust, so the map shows only the destination. Carry an official map.
About Hidden Falls (Nerstrand)
Hidden Falls (Nerstrand) is a waterfall in Minnesota, on land managed by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (Nerstrand Big Woods State Park).
The Hike
The hike to the falls follows the Hidden Falls Trail: 1 miles round trip with about 98 feet of elevation gain, from Picnic area parking lot. Distance from hikingproject.com. By the National Park Service difficulty formula (distance against climb) that puts it at Easy.
Before You Go
- Vehicle permits are required and can be purchased at the visitor center or online. (files.dnr.state.mn.us)
- Pets must be kept on a 6-foot leash, picked up after, attended at all times, and are not allowed in buildings. (files.dnr.state.mn.us)
- A boardwalk and stairs lead through endangered Minnesota Dwarf Trout Lily colonies. (files.dnr.state.mn.us)
- Rock around waterfalls is slick when wet; stay on the trail and back from the edge.
- Check Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (Nerstrand Big Woods State Park) for current conditions, closures and parking before you go.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the hike to Hidden Falls (Nerstrand)?
The Hidden Falls Trail to Hidden Falls (Nerstrand) is 1 miles round trip with about 98 feet of elevation gain.
Where does the Hidden Falls (Nerstrand) hike start?
It starts from Picnic area parking lot.
Is there a fee to hike to Hidden Falls (Nerstrand)?
Vehicle permits are required and can be purchased at the visitor center or online.
Are dogs allowed on the Hidden Falls (Nerstrand) trail?
Pets must be kept on a 6-foot leash, picked up after, attended at all times, and are not allowed in buildings.
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 Hidden Falls (Nerstrand) Guide
Where the trail data, elevation and route line on this page come from.
- Verified against
- hikingproject.com
- Distance
- hikingproject.com
- 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.