Discovering the Sioux Falls Waterfall

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.

Country Inn and Suites
Country Inn and Suites

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.

Arc of Dreams
Arc of Dreams is a stainless-steel sculpture created by South Dakota Artist Laureate, Dale Claude Lamphere spans the Big Sioux River nearly the length of a football field between 6th and 8th streets. At the center of the Arc of Dreams is a 15-foot gap, 85 feet above the river, representing the leap of faith dreamers take to see their dreams come true.

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.

My son Andrew standing on rocks along the river walk.
My son Andrew standing on rocks along the river walk.

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.

Top of the falls
Top of the falls

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.

Following the river down.
Following the river down.

A number of paved paths follow the red rock falls down to a pedestrian bridge.

Ruins of the mill
Ruins of the mill

Queen Bee Mill

Next, the trail goes by the ruins of the Queen Bee Mill.

The sign provides information on the mill.
The sign provides information on the 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.

Mill race ruins
Mill race ruins

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

Video of the waterfall
View of the falls seeing walkways on the other side.
View of the falls seeing walkways on the other side.

We walked along the side of the rapids and falls checking out the fast-moving water.

View of the pedestrian bridge we took to go to the other side of the falls.

Then we took the pedestrian bridge to the other side of the river.

My son and I by the waterfall
My son and I by the waterfall.
Smaller falls among the rock
Smaller falls among the rock

Here you could walk out along the rocks along paths.

Sun going down over the fast-moving water.
Sun going down over the fast-moving water.

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.

Photo from Falls Park Visitors Center

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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View of the mill ruins and falls together.
View of the mill ruins and falls together.

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

 Spans the river and is lit up at night.
Spans the river and is lit up 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.

Near the Queen Bee ruins is a sign that the area was once part of an inland sea.
Near the Queen Bee ruins is a sign that the area was once part of an inland sea.

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.

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