Manitou Cascades Hike
Waterfall | Minnesota
2 mi round trip
Manitou Cascades Hike at a Glance
The Manitou Cascades hike via the Middle Trail is 2 mi round trip.
| Elevation at the falls | ≈ 1,390 ft |
|---|---|
| Trail | Middle Trail |
| Distance | 2 mi round trip |
Your time: about 40 min of moving time at Naismith pace (3 mph plus 1 hour per 2,000 ft climbed); about 50 min at a relaxed pace. A 160 lb hiker with a daypack burns roughly 380 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 2 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 Manitou Cascades
Manitou Cascades is a waterfall in Minnesota, on land managed by George H. Crosby Manitou State Park (Minnesota DNR).
The Hike
The hike to the falls follows the Middle Trail: 2 miles round trip, from George H. Crosby Manitou State Park main parking area. Distance from files.dnr.state.mn.us.
Before You Go
- A vehicle permit is required and can be bought at the entrance kiosk. (files.dnr.state.mn.us)
- Pets must be kept on a leash, picked up after and attended at all times, and are not allowed in buildings or beaches. (files.dnr.state.mn.us)
- The park landscape is rugged and hilly. (files.dnr.state.mn.us)
- Rock around waterfalls is slick when wet; stay on the trail and back from the edge.
- Check George H. Crosby Manitou State Park (Minnesota DNR) for current conditions, closures and parking before you go.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the hike to Manitou Cascades?
The Middle Trail to Manitou Cascades is 2 miles round trip.
Where does the Manitou Cascades hike start?
It starts from George H. Crosby Manitou State Park main parking area.
Is there a fee to hike to Manitou Cascades?
A vehicle permit is required and can be bought at the entrance kiosk.
Are dogs allowed on the Manitou Cascades trail?
Pets must be kept on a leash, picked up after and attended at all times, and are not allowed in buildings or 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 Manitou Cascades 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
- gowaterfalling.com
- 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 Manitou Cascades.