As we concluded our May 2021 trip to Montana and the Dakotas, we stopped in Sioux Falls, South Dakota to visit Falls Park. This 128-acre park is immediately north of downtown Sioux Falls and surrounds the Big Sioux River as it drops about 100 feet over a series of cascades and waterfalls. The ruins of the 1881 Queen Bee Mill are preserved on the east side of the river. Among other amenities, the park includes public restrooms, a visitor center with a viewing tower, and a cafe. A pedestrian bridge crosses the river, linking the visitor center and cafe. A BNSF railroad bridge also crosses the river at the southern boundary of the park.
We didn't plan our visit to the park as it was a spur-of-the-moment decision to visit based on a sign we saw along Interstate 29. We had a wonderful time wandering around the park. Even though services were limited, we still had some hand-dipped ice cream at the cafe. This park is a hidden gem in the middle of a city and well worth the time to visit.
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| BNSF bridge over the river |
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| One of the numerous cascades throughout the park |
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| Another waterfall |
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| Queen Bee mill turbine house |
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| Main channel of the river |
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| A closer look at the upper falls |
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| Main channel from the pedestrian bridge |
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| The Light and Power building now houses the Falls Overlook Cafe |
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| Ruins of the Queen Bee mill |
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| Turbine house |
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| More of the ruins |
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| More of the falls |
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| Even more of the falls |
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| Monarch of the Plains |
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| Light and Power Company building |
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| Pedestrian bridge from the tower |
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| Queen Bee mill ruins from the tower |
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| BNSF train crossing the river |
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| Old county courthouse clock tower |
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| Visitor center and tower |
There is no entry fee at Falls Park. Free parking is also available.
The city park website is https://www.siouxfalls.org/parks/parks/locations/falls-park. While the city tourism website for the park is https://www.experiencesiouxfalls.com/falls-park.
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