Falls Park is a 123-acre urban park which surrounds the cascades on the Big Sioux River from which the city of Sioux Falls takes its name. The river here drops over 100' in three distinct sections, all of which can be seen from a paved network of paths which run alongside them. The upper drop is the least dramatic, though it is still beautiful as the Big Sioux drops perhaps five feet in a veil of water which just about spans the entire width of the river. The middle falls is the most impressive and the highest. The scene viewing these falls is as awesome as it is dramatic, from any viewpoint, as the river crashes over and around huge red cliffs. The lower drop of the falls is smaller, though no less dramatic. Best seen from the pedestrian bridge which crosses the river, the power of the Big Sioux here is compressed into a narrow channel barely a dozen yards wide. On the east side of the river there's also a bit of history to enjoy. A restaurant occupies what used to be Sioux Falls Light & Power building which was built in 1908. Then there's the ruins of the once impressive Queen Bee Mill which, when completed in 1881, stood over six-stories above the nearby river. Unfortunately the old mill all but completely burned in 1956, leaving the remains which are seen today. Finally there's the observation tower at the north end of the park. Free to climb, the 50' tower offers an awesome panorama of the entire park, the three falls, all backed by the skyline of Sioux Falls beyond.

This was my second visit to Falls Park, and I was no less impressed on this stop than the last. The Big Sioux was running quite high as well, only adding to the spectacular scene. This album doesn't really involve a hike in the truest sense. It's just a photo tour of Falls Park as seen if you stroll the trails along the river, taking time to scramble out on the rocks occasionally to gain different vantage points. This is a place I'd highly recommend visiting should you find yourself in the Sioux Falls vicinity. Even if you're only passing through I'd encourage a quick detour here. You will not be disappointed...

7-5-2019

Falls Park @ Sioux Falls

Upper Falls Area
The uppermost drop of the falls is the least dramatic but still beautiful as it spans the entire width of the river...
Upper Falls Area
Looking upstream along the Big Sioux River from the upper falls. The city of Sioux Falls can be seen in the distance...
Upper Falls Area
A side-on view of the upper section of falls...
Upper Falls Area
A quick vid of the upper drop of falls as Falls Park...
Middle Falls Area
The middle drop of the falls is the highest and most dramatic as it cascades over multiple levels and through various channels in the reddish cliffs...
Middle Falls Area
A quick vid of the middle section of falls at Falls Park...
Middle Falls Area
A panoramic shot of the middle drop at Falls Park...
Middle Falls Area
A view of the middle falls from the rocks below...
Middle Falls Area
A quick vid of the middle falls from the rocks below...
Lower Falls Area
The lower falls are the most powerful, as the Big Sioux is compressed into a narrow channel directly beneath the bridge across the river...
Lower Falls Area
A quick vid of the power lower drop of the falls at Falls Park. This was shot from the bridge spanning the Big Sioux River...
Lower Falls Area
Crossing to the other side of the river and looking back at the footbridge spanning the Big Sioux. The lower falls are located beneath the bridge...
Generator Building
What I believe to be an old generator building sits right alongside the middle drop of the falls...
Middle Falls Area
A shot of the middle falls from below the generator building...
Generator Building & Middle Falls Area
An above view of the middle falls from alongside the old generator building...
Queen Bee Mill (ca. 1881)
Once a towering stone structure over six stories high, the ruins of the old Queen Bee Mill are located up the hillside on the east side of the park. Despite its once-impressive appearance, the mill never achieved the production needed to keep it solvent. Unfortunately most of the structure was destroyed by fire in 1956...
Queen Bee Mill (ca. 1881)
Once a towering stone structure over six stories high, the ruins of the old Queen Bee Mill are located up the hillside on the east side of the park. Despite its once-impressive appearance, the mill never achieved the production needed to keep it solvent. Unfortunately most of the structure was destroyed by fire in 1956...
Falls Park from Observation Tower
A perfect place to end a visit to Falls Park is the observation tower located at its northern end. The entirety of the falls on the Big Sioux can be seen from here, the historic structures surrounding them, and the skyline of the City of Sioux Falls beyond...
Falls Park from Observation Tower
A perfect place to end a visit to Falls Park is the observation tower located at its northern end. The entirety of the falls on the Big Sioux can be seen from here, the historic structures surrounding them, and the skyline of the City of Sioux Falls beyond...
Falls Park from Observation Tower
A perfect place to end a visit to Falls Park is the observation tower located at its northern end. The entirety of the falls on the Big Sioux can be seen from here, the historic structures surrounding them, and the skyline of the City of Sioux Falls beyond...

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Falls Park @ Sioux Falls

Falls Park @ Sioux Falls