Minneopa State Park is Minnesota’s third oldest state park, established 1905 to preserve upper and lower Minneopa Falls and later expanded to include the prairie and Minnesota River valley north of MN 68. In 2015, 340 acres of the native prairie would be enclosed and landscaped to establish a self-sustaining heard of up to 50 genetically pure bison.
Key features of the park include upper and lower Minneopa Falls, the American Bison herd and Seppmann Mill.
"Early Fall In the Minneopa Valley"
Minneopa Falls
Minneopa, in the Dakota language, is interpreted to mean "water falling twice." As softer layers of rock beneath Minneopa Creek have eroded more rapidly since the last ice age, more resistant layers have allowed for the creation of Minneopa's upper and lower waterfalls.
The view of Minneopa Falls is just a short walk from the parking area. Continuing along the paved path around the falls leads to alimestone staircaseand access to the south side of Minneopa Falls.
"Minneopa Falls in Early August"
Bison Herd
In 2015 the Minnesota DNR introduced 13 genetically pure bison into the park’s native prairie grasslands.
"Bison on the Roadway"
Native Prairie Grasslands
Prior to European settlement, 1/3 of Minnesota was prairie grassland. Today, approximately 1% (250,000 acres) of native prairie remains.
"Looking Down On a Field Of Goldenrod" September 2, 2018
Seppmann Mill
At the end of the Bison Range road is Seppmann Mill, a German-style mill completed in 1864
"Seppmann Mill Stonework"
Minneopa Falls in drought
Minneopa Falls after a summer of drought
Minneopa Creek, Minneopa State Park
Minneopa State Park natural prairie in early September
"The Path To Minneopa Falls"
Minneopa Creek and fall colors after sunset - fall 2018
"The Long Twilight"
Minneopa Creek and fall colors after sunset - fall 2018
"Fall Colors Along Minneopa Creek"
Minneopa Creek and fall colors after sunset - fall 2018
"Fall Twilight In the Minneopa Valley"
Minneopa Creek and fall colors after sunset - fall 2018
"The Rocky Banks Of Minneopa Creek"
Minneopa Creek - Minneopa State Park
"Early Fall In the Minneopa Valley"
Minneopa Creek and developing falls colors
"High Water On Minneopa Creek"
3 days after heavy rain the creek is overflowing its banks
"Stay On Trail"
Footbridge over Minneopa Creek
"Water Rushing Down Minneopa Creek"
Long exposure of water flowing rapidly down Minneopa Creek below the falls
"Self Portrait at Minneopa State Park"
Sitting on the limestone steps next to Minneopa Creek
"The Limestone Steps In September"
Limestone steps leading to Minneopa Creek
"Minneopa Falls Through the Leaves"
View of Minneopa Falls through the leaves along the ridge
"Minneopa Creek In September"
Walking bridge over Minneopa Creek
"Signs Of Fall at Minneopa State Park"
Leaves changing color above Minneopa Falls
"Minneopa Falls Through the Trees"
Walking bridge over Minneopa Creek
"Looking Over the Bridge"
Looking over the bridge over Minneopa Creek
"Looking Across the Minneopa Creek Bridge"
Looking across the Minneopa Creek bridge in the rain
"The Edge Of Upper Minneopa Falls"
Upper Minneopa Falls and the sandy ledge
"Upper Minneopa Falls In September"
Water flowing over Upper Minneopa Creek
"Upper Minneopa Falls Framed By Leaves"
Upper Minneopa Falls and leaves changing color as fall approaches
"Upper Minneopa Falls In the Rain"
Water flowing over Upper Minneopa Falls
"Upper Minneopa Falls In the Rain 2"
Long exposure of Upper Minneopa Falls taken from the walking bridge
"Bench Across Upper Minneopa Falls"
Upper Minneopa Falls and a bench
"Bridge Over Minneopa Falls"
Looking downstream at the bridge over Minneopa Creek
"Minneopa Creek Tinted Green"
Minneopa Creek in mid-September
"Limestone Steps at Minneopa State Park"
Steps leading down to Minneopa Creek
"Seppmann Mill Stonework"
Wood plank window of Seppmann Mill
"Tree Bark"
Found along the path overlooking Minneopa Falls
"Sunflower In the Creekbed"
Sunflower in a creek on the south side of the Bison range
"Bison In the Rain"
Large bison next to the road at Minneopa State Park
"Passing By"
Someone entering and someone leaving the bison range after sunset
"The Prairie Road at Sunset"
Looking westward down the road after sunset
"Fog Setting In at Twilight"
Fog over the prairie after sunset at Minneopa State Park
"Sunset Reflecting In Fog"
Fog reflecting orange from the sky after sunset at Minneopa State Park
"Twilight Sky at Minneopa State Park"
Sky glowing with color after sunset at Minneopa State Park
"The Prairie Sky at Sunset"
Sky glowing with color after sunset at Minneopa State Park
"Clouds Passing the Minneopa Valley at Twilight"
Looking south at sunset inside the bison enclosure at Minneopa State Park
"Sun Setting On the Prairie"
Sun setting in the bison enclosure at Minneopa State Park
"A Sea Of Yellow Under Blue Sky"
Field of goldenrod
"A Field Of Goldenrod"
Minneopa State Park prairie
"Looking Down On a Field Of Goldenrod"
Minneopa State Park prairie
"Layers Of Clouds Beneath Blue Sky"
A Field Of GoldenrodA Field Of Goldenrod with blue sky and clouds breaking up at sunset at Minneopa State Park
"Bison Grazing at Sunset"
Bison grazing at Minneopa State Park
"Please Remain In Your Vehicle"
Visitor leaving car to get a better photo of the Bison at Minneopa State Park
"Bison on the Roadway"
Bison on the park road at Minneopa State Park
"Beneath the Rocky Overhang"
Minneopa Falls Minneopa State Park
"Minneopa Falls In the Rain"
Minneopa Falls Minneopa State Park
"Minneopa Prairie and an Approaching Storm"
Wild flowers growing the Bison enclosure
"Minneopa Falls in Early August"
Log resting in low water of Minneopa Creek below Minneopa Falls Minneopa State Park
"Minneopa Creek After the Rain"
Minneopa Creek with Minneopa Falls in the background at Minneopa State Park
"Life On a Rock"
Minneopa Creek below the falls at Minneopa State Park
"Young Acorn Tree Along Minneopa Creek"
Acorn tree growing along the trail to Minneopa Falls at Minneopa State Park
"Minnesota's Natural Prairie"
Bison herd, wild grass and flowers at Minneopa State Park
"The Greens of Spring"
Minneopa Creek below the falls in spring | Minneopa State Park
"Fresh Snow at Minneopa Creek"
Minneopa creek and fresh snow | Minneopa State Park
"The Flow of Water"
Long exposure of the current in Minneopa creek during winter snow storm | Minneopa State Park
"Fresh Snow at Upper Minneopa Falls"
Late winter snow on Upper Minneopa Falls | Minneopa State Park
"Minneopa State Park in Early Spring"
Water flowing in Minneopa creek in early spring | Minneopa State Park
"Snow in the Valley"
Deep snow in the valley of Minneopa Creek | Minneopa State Park
"Beaver in Minneopa Creek"
Beaver in Minneopa Creek | Minneopa State Park
"Cold Human for Scale"
Minneopa Falls Ice build up during cold stretch | Minneopa State Park
"Minneopa Falls Sub Zero"
Minneopa Falls Ice build up during cold stretch | Minneopa State Park
"Minneopa Creek in December"
Ice hanging off Minneopa Falls | Minneopa State Park
"Minneopa State Park Trail"
Man hiking trail along Minneopa Creek in December | Minneopa State Park
"Minneopa State Park Buffalo Herd"
Buffalo grazing at Minneopa State Park
"Upper Minneopa Falls in December"
Upper Minneopa Falls on a warm December afternoon | Minneopa State Park
"Water and Ice"
Water flowing and ice building on rocks of Upper Minneopa Falls | Minneopa State Park
"After All the Leaves Have Fallen"
Standing in the shallow water fo Minneopa Creek below Minneopa Falls in late October | Minneopa State Park
"Autumn Hike at Minneopa State Park"
Hiking at Minneopa State Park and falls colors - Asolo TPS 535 boots | Minneopa State Park
"Minneopa Creek in September"
Low water in Minneopa Creek below Minneopa Falls | Minneopa State Park
"Low Water at Minneopa Falls"
Minneopa Falls barely flowing during late summer | Minneopa State Park
"Forest and River Scene"
Long exposue of water flowing over rock in Minneopa Creek | Minneopa State Park
"Minneopa Creek in August"
Low water during summer on Minneopa Creek | Minneopa State Park
"Alone"
Man in the distance standing on rocks below Minneopa Falls in late spring | Minneopa State Park
"Exploring the River Valley"
Man standing on rocks of Minneopa Creek in the Minneopa Valley | Minneopa State Park
"The Last Day of Winter"
Leaves on a rock in Minneopa Creek on the last day of winter 2017 | Minneopa State Park
"Into the Dark"
Minneopa Creek flowing into tunnel | Minneopa State Park
"The Path Down"
Looking down old path at the top of the bluff | Minneopa State Park
"Down Along the River in Winter"
Minneopa Falls at sunset during winter | Minneopa State Park
"Asolo TPS 535 Hiking Boots"
Hiking in winter at Minneopa State Park - Asolo TPS 535 Hiking Boots | Minneopa State Park
"Weathered Wood in Ice"
Dead tree trunk surrounded by ice in Minneopa Creek | Minneopa State Park
"Mist Becomes Ice"
Ice building up on sandstone below Minneopa Falls | Minneopa State Park
"Winter Wonderland"
Man standing on the rocks below Minneopa Falls in winter | Minneopa State Park
"Water on Ice"
Water flowing over frozen Minneopa Creek below the falls | Minneopa State Park
"Winter Explorer"
Man standing on the icy shore of Minneopa Creek and frozen Minneopa Falls | Minneopa State Park
"Surreal Landscape"
Girl standing on ice below frozen Minneopa Falls on New Year's Day | Minneopa State Park
"Roots"
Roots growing out of sandstone below Minneopa Falls | Minneopa State Park
"Frozen"
Ice covered rocks and fauna at the base of Minneopa Falls | Minneopa State Park
"Edge of the Falls"
Ice on the rocks of Upper Minneopa Falls | Minneopa State Park
"Upper Minneopa Waterfall"
Water flowing over Upper Minneopa Falls | Minneopa State Park
"Sandstone Cliffs"
Moss and tree growing out of sandstone cliffs | Minneopa State Park
"The Last Leaves of Autumn"
Colorful leaves on the banks of Minneopa Creek | Minneopa State Park
"Birch Bark"
Weather birch tree along the banks of Minneopa Creek | Minneopa State Park
"Portrait of a River"
Water flowing over Minneopa Falls in October | Minneopa State Park
"Below the Falls"
Minneopa Falls and Minneopa Creek in autumn | Minneopa State Park
"Minneopa Falls"
Minneopa Falls at sunset | Minneopa State Park
"Minneopa Tree"
Dead tree on prairie at Minneopa State Park
"Minneopa State Park"
Prairie at sunset prior to reintroduction of bison
