Waterfalls of Minnesota

Vermillion Falls, Vermillion River Location: In Vermillion Falls Park and near the Ramsey Mill Ruins. Address/GPS for the Falls: Located off Hwy. 61 and 21st St. E, Hastings, 55033; 44° 43'32.10" N, 92° 50'41.76" W. Directions: If you are heading south on Hwy. 61, you'll want to turn left after the ConAgra Flour Mill onto 21st St. E, and the park will be on your left. Website: www.hastingsmn.gov/city-government/city-departments/parks-recreation Waterway: Vermillion River. Nearest Town: Hastings. Height: The Main Falls are approximately 45 feet high; the Upper Falls are 8 feet high. Crest: Approximately 35-45 feet. Hike Difficulty: Easy. Trail Quality: Good, short paved trail. Round-trip Distance: 0.1 mile. Admission: None. Trip Report & Tips: From the parking lot, it's a short and easy walk to the covered gazebo for your first look at Vermillion Falls. Walk down the paved path to find a more scenic view than the fenced-in overlooks. Here you'll see--and hear--the very loud falls as the water plummets deep into the gorge. If you head farther down, you'll find a pedestrian bridge crossing over the gorge that will lead you to Old Mill Park. Looking at the falls, they first flow over a man-made cement ledge that's about 6-8 feet high. You can get very close to the short falls and actually sit on the ledge. The water then glides over the surface for a bit and plunges down a good 35-45 feet as it hits the rocky river floor. In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the river was used for water power for area gristmills; one was even built by Alexander Ramsey, Minnesota's first governor. The area's milling ties continue to this day: To the north of the river is the massive ConAgra flour mill. Excerpted from Waterfalls of Minnesota by Lisa Crayford All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.