Winnewissa Falls Hike
Waterfall | Minnesota
0.8 mi loop
48 ft
Easy
Winnewissa Falls Hike at a Glance
The Winnewissa Falls hike via the Circle Trail is 0.8 mi loop with 48 ft of elevation gain.
| Elevation at the falls | ≈ 1,710 ft |
|---|---|
| Trail | Circle Trail |
| Distance | 0.8 mi loop |
| Elevation gain | 48 ft |
| Difficulty | Easy |
Your time: about 15 min of moving time at Naismith pace (3 mph plus 1 hour per 2,000 ft climbed); about 20 min at a relaxed pace. A 160 lb hiker with a daypack burns roughly 160 kcal.
Adjust for your pace and breaks →Route line not shown. The 0.8 mi distance and 48 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 Winnewissa Falls
Winnewissa Falls is a waterfall in Minnesota, on land managed by National Park Service (Pipestone National Monument).
The Hike
The hike to the falls follows the Circle Trail: 0.8 miles as a loop with about 48 feet of elevation gain, from Pipestone National Monument Visitor Center. Allow 45 minutes to an hour. Distance from hikingproject.com. By the National Park Service difficulty formula (distance against climb) that puts it at Easy.
Before You Go
- There is no fee to visit the park or walk the trail. (nps.gov)
- Pets must be on a 6-foot leash and visitors must clean up after them. (nps.gov)
- The trail is paved and has benches along the way. (nps.gov)
- The trail is not ADA-compliant but may be wheelchair accessible with some assistance. (nps.gov)
- The trail often floods in spring, causing partial or total closure. (nps.gov)
- Steps climb the side of Winnewissa Falls. (nps.gov)
- Rock around waterfalls is slick when wet; stay on the trail and back from the edge.
- Check National Park Service (Pipestone National Monument) for current conditions, closures and parking before you go.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the hike to Winnewissa Falls?
The Circle Trail to Winnewissa Falls is 0.8 miles as a loop with about 48 feet of elevation gain. Allow 45 minutes to an hour.
Where does the Winnewissa Falls hike start?
It starts from Pipestone National Monument Visitor Center.
Is there a fee to hike to Winnewissa Falls?
There is no fee to visit the park or walk the trail.
Are dogs allowed on the Winnewissa Falls trail?
Pets must be on a 6-foot leash and visitors must clean up after them.
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 Winnewissa Falls Guide
Where the trail data, elevation and route line on this page come from.
- Verified against
- hikingproject.com
- Distance
- hikingproject.com
- Falls location
- waterfallhikes.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 Winnewissa Falls.