Minnesota's Prairie Waterfall Trail Leads To A Magnificent Hidden Oasis
By Betsy Rathburn|Published June 12, 2021
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Betsy Rathburn
Author
Betsy is a Minneapolis-based writer who's lived in Minnesota for 20 years. If you know of any amazing Minnesota restaurants, nature areas, or other attractions, feel free to let her know about them at brathburn@onlyinyourstate.com or on Twitter @betsyrathburn.
As far as beautiful nature areas go, northern Minnesota gets all the attention. And it makes sense: that region is filled with pristine lakes, thick forests, and rushing waterfalls. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t gorgeous nature areas in the rest of the state. In fact, one of Minnesota’s most unexpected waterfalls is tucked away in one of the most overlooked regions. But if you take the time to visit, you’ll soon count it among your favorite spots in the state. If you’re looking for a peaceful nature sanctuary, consider heading down to southwestern Minnesota to follow the Prairie Waterfall Trail. It leads to a magnificent hidden oasis that you don’t want to miss. Take a look:
In southwestern Minnesota, near the small town of Luverne, is a beautiful tallgrass prairie. Known as Touch the Sky Prairie, it's an increasingly rare landscape that should be seen by all Minnesota nature lovers.
Visitors to the prairie will find a flat grassland full of tall, waving grasses as far as the eye can see. The prairie covers hundreds of acres. Under the big, empty sky, this is nothing short of breathtaking.
There are also hikes throughout the prairie. The flat, grass-lined trails are a wonderful way to see the landscape up close. One in particular, the Prairie Waterfall Trail, also leads to a beautiful surprise.
As you hike the 1.3-mile trail, you'll likely spot many beautiful scenes. Wildflowers are abundant in the summer months, and you might even spot animals such as butterflies and birds.
Soon, you will hear the trickle of water. A small rock-lined creek cuts through the prairie. A few trees shade the creek, giving this place a secluded feel.
But you won't only find a rocky creek here. The creek becomes a small but beautiful waterfall. While the drop isn't very tall, it is absolutely beautiful.
The water tumbles over a rocky ledge to create a small prairie waterfall. Given the wide open prairie surroundings, this waterfall is unlike any other in Minnesota. It makes for a magnificent hidden oasis tucked away in the prairie.
Have you ever visited the waterfall at Touch the Sky Prairie? Do you know of any other little-known waterfalls in Minnesota? Let us know in the comments! And if you want to learn more about Touch the Sky Prairie, visit its Facebook page. If you do visit the area, be sure to check out nearby attractions like Blue Mounds State Park and Pipestone National Monument.
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