Wolf Creek Falls Hike
Waterfall · about 20 ft high | Minnesota
4 mi loop
Wolf Creek Falls Hike at a Glance
The Wolf Creek Falls hike via the Wolf Creek Falls Loop is 4 mi loop.
| Falls height | About 20 ft |
|---|---|
| Elevation at the falls | ≈ 1,050 ft |
| Trail | Wolf Creek Falls Loop |
| Distance | 4 mi loop |
Your time: about 1 h 20 min of moving time at Naismith pace (3 mph plus 1 hour per 2,000 ft climbed); about 1 h 40 min at a relaxed pace. A 160 lb hiker with a daypack burns roughly 750 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 4 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 Wolf Creek Falls
Wolf Creek Falls is a waterfall in Minnesota, about 20 feet high, on land managed by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (Banning State Park). Its height is from files.dnr.state.mn.us.
The Hike
The hike to the falls follows the Wolf Creek Falls Loop: 4 miles as a loop. Distance from files.dnr.state.mn.us.
Before You Go
- Vehicle permits are required and can be purchased at the ranger station or entrance kiosk. (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 or at beaches. (files.dnr.state.mn.us)
- The Kettle River has powerful currents and is not recommended for swimming. (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 (Banning State Park) for current conditions, closures and parking before you go.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the hike to Wolf Creek Falls?
The Wolf Creek Falls Loop to Wolf Creek Falls is 4 miles as a loop.
How tall is Wolf Creek Falls?
Wolf Creek Falls is about 20 feet high.
Is there a fee to hike to Wolf Creek Falls?
Vehicle permits are required and can be purchased at the ranger station or entrance kiosk.
Are dogs allowed on the Wolf Creek Falls trail?
Pets must be kept on a 6-foot leash, picked up after, 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 Wolf Creek 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 height
- 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.