Right now
Right now as of Oct 27, 2026
- Permit None needed.
Status note (Oct 27, 2026): Winter Wonderland lights Nov 20, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027, 5pm-midnight (City of Sioux Falls). The park is open daily, 5am to 11:59pm. What the status labels mean
Falls Park is a free city park in Sioux Falls where the Big Sioux River drops about 100 feet over a series of cascades. Paved paths, overlooks and a five-story viewing tower give you views of the falls and downtown. The park is open 5am to 11:59pm daily, and the free Winter Wonderland lights run November 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027.
About Falls Park
The falls here are not one big plunge. On average about 7,400 gallons a second spill roughly 100 feet over a series of cascades, according to Experience Sioux Falls. The falls are also known as the Falls of the Big Sioux River.
The park mixes river views with history. According to Experience Sioux Falls, the seven-story Queen Bee Mill opened on October 25, 1881, and could process 1,500 bushels of wheat a day. It closed by 1883, short on both water power and wheat.
A 1956 fire gutted the mill building, and only its ruins remain in the park today. Nearby, the Falls Overlook Cafe operates in the former 1908 Light and Power Company hydroelectric building.
Is Falls Park man-made?
The waterfall isn't man-made. It is the Big Sioux River itself, dropping about 100 feet over a series of cascades, per Experience Sioux Falls. People built the paths, overlooks, tower and mill around it.
The mill used the local rock. Wikipedia says the Queen Bee Mill was built of Sioux quartzite quarried on site.
Things to do at Falls Park
The city lists an observation tower, the Overlook Cafe, a farmers market, an accessible playground, restrooms and a picnic shelter with electricity among the park's amenities.
The Falls Overlook Cafe serves family-friendly foods, ice cream treats and beverages, per Experience Sioux Falls. Its own site lists hours of 11am to 4pm and says the cafe can close for bad weather or private events.
We did not confirm the farmers market's season or days, so check with the city if you're planning around it.
Getting there and parking
Falls Park is at 131 E. Falls Park Dr., Sioux Falls, SD 57103. The City of Sioux Falls Parks & Recreation department manages it.
Parking
The city's Falls Park page doesn't name parking lots or prices, so check with the City of Sioux Falls before you go.
The park also connects to the city's Recreation Trail, a bike path, if you would rather arrive on foot or by bike.
There is no charge to enter. The city says, "There is no cost to visit Falls Park, even during Winter Wonderland". Restrooms are listed among the park's amenities.
Map and nearby falls
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The walk
Falls Park is a stroll, not a hike. Paved walking paths and overlooks wrap around the falls, so you can see the cascades from several angles.
For a view from above, head to the five-story viewing tower at the Visitor Information Center. Experience Sioux Falls says it gives a panoramic view of the falls and downtown.
The tower is equipped with an elevator. It closes 10 minutes before the Visitor Center closes, per Experience Sioux Falls.
Experience Sioux Falls lists these center hours, which it says are subject to change: September 1 to October 31, 9am to 6pm daily. November 1 to 20, 10am to 5pm on weekends. November 21 to December 31, 5 to 9pm weekdays and 1 to 9pm weekends.
The center closes on Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Summer hours and any tower fee were not confirmed, so check before you plan around the tower.
When to visit
The park is open year-round, 5am to 11:59pm daily, so early morning and evening visits are easy to fit in.
Winter Wonderland Christmas lights
Winter Wonderland 2026 runs November 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027, according to the City of Sioux Falls. The lights and holiday music turn on daily from 5pm to midnight, and it's free.
Kickoff night is Friday, November 20. The city lights The Falls at 5pm, then lights the large Holiday tree at Jacobson Plaza at 6pm. A fireworks show follows the tree lighting.
Winter Wonderland 2026 is the event's 23rd consecutive year. The city lists more than 29 miles of lights and 280 decorated trees. Tune to FM 97.7 for the music.
To see it from your car, the city suggests driving along North Weber Avenue or North Phillips Avenue for the full display.
More South Dakota waterfalls
Want a canyon hike instead of a city stroll? Across the state in the Black Hills, Spearfish Falls sits at the end of a short trail down into Spearfish Canyon.
Our South Dakota waterfalls guide lists the state's other falls.
When is the water highest?
At a USGS stream gauge about 0.9 mi from the falls, the flow averages highest in April and lowest in January, based on 30 years of records (1995 to 2024).
Show the numbers
| Month | Average flow (cfs) |
|---|---|
| January | 215 |
| February | 262 |
| March | 1,344 |
| April | 2,546 |
| May | 1,894 |
| June | 1,507 |
| July | 1,041 |
| August | 603 |
| September | 731 |
| October | 653 |
| November | 478 |
| December | 311 |
| Height | 100 ftNote: total drop of about 100 ft over a series of cascades, not a single drop, per Experience Sioux Falls |
|---|---|
| Trail | Paved walking paths and overlooks around the falls, linked to the city Recreation Trail |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Entry fee | Free: the city says there is no cost to visit, even during Winter Wonderland. Viewing tower fee not confirmed. |
| Permit / reservation | None needed |
| Parking | 131 E. Falls Park Dr.; check the city for parking |
| Hours / season | Park open 5am to 11:59pm daily (City of Sioux Falls). Viewing tower open only during Visitor Information Center hours. |
| Swimming | No official rule found; the river is fast and the rock is slippery |
| Walk behind the falls | No |
| Restrooms | Yes (City of Sioux Falls) |
| Best time to visit | Year-round; Winter Wonderland lights run November 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027 |
| Managed by | City of Sioux Falls Parks & Recreation |
Safety and swimming
We could not find an official city rule on swimming here. The river runs fast over the cascades and the wet rock is slick. Stay out of the river and off the wet rock along the cascades.
Use the paved paths and overlooks, and keep children close near the edges. In winter, watch for ice on paths and rocks, especially on Winter Wonderland nights.
Conditions change: confirm hours and events with the City of Sioux Falls before you go. Our waterfall safety guide has more tips.
Where to stay near Falls Park
Compare hotels, cabins and rentals close to the falls around Sioux Falls.
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Photos
Falls Park FAQ
Is Falls Park in Sioux Falls free?
Yes. The City of Sioux Falls says there is no cost to visit, even during Winter Wonderland. We could not confirm whether the viewing tower charges a fee.
When are the Falls Park Christmas lights in 2026?
Winter Wonderland runs November 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027, daily from 5pm to midnight, per the City of Sioux Falls. Kickoff night has The Falls lighting at 5pm, then the tree lighting and fireworks at 6pm. It's free.
What are the Falls Park hours?
The city keeps the park open 5am to 11:59pm daily. The viewing tower opens only during Visitor Information Center hours, which change by season.
Is Falls Park man-made?
No. The falls are the Big Sioux River dropping about 100 feet over natural cascades, per Experience Sioux Falls. The paths, overlooks, tower and old mill were built around them.
Where do you park at Falls Park?
The city's Falls Park and Winter Wonderland pages don't name lots or prices. The park address is 131 E. Falls Park Dr.
How tall are the falls at Falls Park?
The Big Sioux River drops about 100 feet in total over a series of cascades, according to Experience Sioux Falls. It is not a single drop.
Can you swim at Falls Park?
Stay out of the river. We could not find an official swimming rule, but the river runs fast over the cascades and the rock is slick.
What is the old building at Falls Park?
The ruins belong to the Queen Bee Mill, a seven-story mill that opened in 1881 and closed by 1883. A 1956 fire gutted it, Experience Sioux Falls says.
Nearby waterfalls
No other waterfalls within 75 miles are on the site yet.
More waterfalls to explore
Spearfish FallsSouth Dakota · 363 mi straight-lineOpen47FT
Roughlock FallsSouth Dakota · 363 mi straight-lineSeasonal
Minnehaha FallsMinnesota · 198 mi straight-lineUnconfirmed53FT
All waterfalls in South Dakota
On these lists: Free waterfalls
Sources
- City of Sioux Falls: Falls Park
- City of Sioux Falls: Winter Wonderland 2026
- Experience Sioux Falls: Falls Park
- Experience Sioux Falls: Falls Park Visitor Information Center, Gift Shop and Viewing Tower
- Experience Sioux Falls: Visitor Center
- Falls Overlook Cafe: hours (home page)
- Wikipedia: Falls Park
Last verified Oct 27, 2026 by The Waterfall Guide editorial team. Conditions change: confirm with City of Sioux Falls Parks & Recreation before you go. Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.