St. Anthony Falls is the only major waterfall on the Mississippi River, an engineered spillway in downtown Minneapolis where the river drops about 50 feet. The Stone Arch Bridge gives the iconic view.
Yes. It's the historic heart of Minneapolis, the only waterfall on the Mississippi, and the Stone Arch Bridge view is one of the best urban scenes in the country. Add Mill Ruins Park for the industrial history.
There is a history in all men's lives.Carved on the bridge approach, paraphrasing Shakespeare's Henry IV
Spring
Wikimedia / Sharon Mollerus
Summer
Wikimedia / Sharon Mollerus
Fall
Wikimedia / Sharon Mollerus
Winter
Wikimedia / Sharon Mollerus
Originally a natural waterfall over Platteville limestone, but the soft St. Peter sandstone underneath eroded so quickly that by 1869 the falls were collapsing. The Army Corps of Engineers built a concrete spillway to stabilize it. The falls today is a managed feature, but the geology that created it is the same as Minnehaha 8 miles south.
The park is 22 acres and easy to pair with a longer walk.
Stone Arch Bridge swarming with locals on lunch break. Spring runoff has the spillway running hard. New Guthrie Theater amber endless cantilever still the best photo angle from the bridge mid-span.
For personal use, no permit is usually required. Stay on signed trails and overlooks, and avoid climbing wet rock near the falls.
Best light is early morning and the last hour of daylight; midday sun can flatten the water and blow out highlights.
For commercial photography, drone use, or large equipment, check permit rules with Minneapolis Park & Rec Board.
Engagement and wedding shoots are common at accessible overlooks and bridge viewpoints.
For ceremonies or reserved areas, check availability and permit rules with Minneapolis Park & Rec Board.
Reserve early for popular weekends and bring any needed power, audio, and weather backup yourself.
Spring runoff (April-June) for the strongest flow. Year-round for the Stone Arch Bridge views.
Yes, the Stone Arch Bridge is a pedestrian-only span giving the best falls view. The bridge is wheelchair accessible.
Yes, in the Mill City Museum (admission required) and at the Water Power Park overlook.
Yes, but it's an engineered spillway. The original natural falls were stabilized in concrete in 1869 to prevent collapse from rapid erosion of the underlying sandstone.
