Seeing a waterfall at sunset in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was part of our first night on our summer trip to the Dakotas and Mount Rushmore.
This summer, I am detailing our road trip to the Dakotas as a series for a family adventure you might want to do! We live in the St. Louis area so our first night was spent in Sioux Falls.
At the Hotel
We stayed at the Country Inn and Suites in downtown Sioux Falls where you can walk to the falls from the hotel.
Starting the Walk
Our hotel is near the Arc of Dreams sculpture along the Big Sioux River. Parking is also available along the street if you are not staying at a nearby hotel. The paved Sioux Falls Bike Trail goes along the river to the waterfall from the hotel.
Going Towards the Falls
The riverwalk has places you can stop along such as the rocky area in the photo. We headed under the Sixth Street Bridge passing by some geese with goslings. Then crossed railroad tracks when I noticed a paved side trail leading to an overlook.
The Falls
This paved path led to an overlook at the top of the falls. An average of 7,400 gallons of water drop 100 feet over the course of the Falls each second.
A number of paved paths follow the red rock falls down to a pedestrian bridge.
Queen Bee Mill
Next, the trail goes by the ruins of the Queen Bee Mill.
The Queen Bee Mill ground its first flour on Oct. 25, 1881. It had once been seven stories, but only two stories remain after it burned in a fire in 1956. Constructed of Sioux Quartzite quarried on site.
Below the ruins is a millrace and dam that once powered the mill. Today the millrace is a viewing platform.
Up from here is the Falls Overlook Café in the old Sioux Falls Light and Power Company hydroelectric plant, which was completed in 1908 and housed three 500-kilowatt generators.
Our Time by the Falls
We walked along the side of the rapids and falls checking out the fast-moving water.
Then we took the pedestrian bridge to the other side of the river.
Here you could walk out along the rocks along paths.
Heading Back
After wandering around the rocks we headed back across the bridge to the hotel after a bit more exploring the falls and the park.
Added Attraction: Falls Park Visitor Center
Further up the river from the falls is the Falls Park Visitor Information Center which includes a five-story viewing tower. Parking is also available by it if you just want to walk around the falls.
If you walk along the river north of the Visitor Information Center you go by a former horse barn now home to the Stockyards Ag Experience.
It was getting dark so we didn’t have time to do this.
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Final Thoughts
This was an easy hike although there are some up and down areas near the falls. Be careful near the rocks which can be slippery if you go off the trails and near the falls.
Overall it was a worthwhile experience as a second stop on our way to Mount Rushmore and the Badlands.
Arc of Dreams at Night
Since we stayed the night nearby, I walked by the Arc of Dreams at night across a wooden bridge that spans the river in front of it and found it lit in different colors. Worth doing if you are near the river at night.
The falls are lit up for the Christmas season if you come up to Sioux Falls in the winter.
DETAILS:
Drive: From St. Louis take Interstate 70 west to downtown Kansas City then head north on Interstate 29 to Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Next, take exit 75 for Interstate 229 then take exit 6 and make a left onto Tenth Street then a right onto Franklin Avenue, and then a left onto Eighth Street, and then right onto Cherapa Place for the riverwalk to the falls or take the second right for hotel parking.
Falls Hours: Closed 12 a.m. to 5 a.m.
Hotel Address: 200 E 8th St, Sioux Falls, SD 57103
IF DRIVING THROUGH MINNESOTA TO SOUTH DAKOTA
Driving to the Highest Point in Iowa
Drive: From St. Louis take U.S. Highway 61 north through Iowa and follow this route north as it becomes Missouri Highway 27 then U.S. Highway 218 then Interstate 380.
In Waterloo, Iowa, turn onto Highway 218 then make a left onto U.S. Highway 18 near Floyd, Iowa.
Next exit onto Interstate 35 then take exit 159A and go west on Interstate 90 then exit onto U.S. Highway 59 and go southwest around Worthington.
Make a right onto Iowa Highway 60 then a left onto 130th Street for a short bit because the campground and high point are right off this highway.
Hawkeye Point is about nine hours from St. Louis.
Hours: 7 a.m. – 10 pm. daily
Address:
5463 130th St, Sibley, IA 51249
DRIVING ONTO TO SIOUX FALLS WATERFALL FROM IOWA HIGHEST POINT
Take Iowa Highway 60 south then make a right onto Iowa Highway 9 on going west which becomes South Dakota 42 and then becomes Tenth Street then a right onto Franklin Avenue, and then a left onto Eighth Street, and then right onto Cherapa Place for the riverwalk to the falls or take the second right for hotel parking.
