I Visited Taylors Falls, Minnesota. Here’s What the Guidebooks Won’t Tell You
I remember begging my parents to take me to Taylors Falls, Minnesota, as a kid. I knew nothing about it—Google wasn’t such a reliable source then—but figured that, based on the name, Taylors Falls was a waterfall.
Imagine my disappointment when I finally visited and realized that there are, in fact, no natural waterfalls in Taylors Falls. The water falling from the nearby dam on the St. Croix River is the closest that this small town comes to one.
Still, Taylors Falls is a top weekend escape or day trip from Minneapolis and St. Paul, located northeast of the Twin Cities in Chisago County. It’s scenic and convenient for times when the North Shore feels like a traffic jam that you don’t have the patience to navigate.
For many, the town’s name is just a synonym for Interstate State Park, shared with Wisconsin, where most of the best things to do in Taylors Falls are located. Inside and outside of the park, there are plenty of ways to fill your time.
How to Get to Taylors Falls from Minneapolis and St. Paul
The only way to get to Taylors Falls from the Twin Cities is driving, whether you’re behind the wheel or hiring someone else to be.
From Minneapolis and St. Paul, there are two main routes to reach the town. You can either take I-35 North to the Highway 8 exit, following Highway 8 into town, or take Highway 36 East to 95 North to Highway 8.
The drive to Taylors Falls from the Twin Cities only takes an hour.
There is no public transportation directly from the Twin Cities to Taylors Falls. The closest you’ll be able to get is Forest Lake, by taking the Jefferson 911 bus. From there, you’ll need to take a 30-minute taxi or Uber ride to reach Taylors Falls.
Things to Do in Taylors Falls
See the Glacial Potholes
Thousands of years ago, the St. Croix River drove around the basalt bedrock at Interstate National Park, forming more than 200 potholes shaped by water and sand. The largest of these, the Bottomless Pit, is the world’s deepest explored pothole, diving down 60 feet.
Other notable potholes include the Bake Oven, Cauldron, and Devil’s Parlour.
Visiting the glacial potholes does not require the hike that the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources describes. The trail to reach the potholes is less than half a mile, making it more of a short stroll through the woods from the Visitor Center than an actual hike.
There are some brief inclines and stairs on the trail, as well as several spots for views over the St Croix River and potholes.
Hike the Walter F. Mondale River Trail and Railroad Trail Loop
The most popular trail for hiking in Taylors Falls is the Walter F. Mondale River Trail and Railroad Trail Loop.
This three-mile-long loop encompasses the best of the park: St. Croix River bluffs and views, wildflowers, and glimpses of deer. The hike begins at the Interstate State Park Visitor Center, where the park’s main parking lot and restrooms are located.
Most hikers will be able to finish this trail in roughly an hour and 15 minutes. Though it’s relatively mild, there are some inclines and uneven terrain that can make it tricky for those with physical limitations, but are easy enough for most dogs to conquer.
Go Outdoor Rock Climbing on the Bluffs
Trad lead, top rope, or boulder on volcanic basalt in Interstate State Park. More than 150 routes exist in the park, offering ample opportunity to reach new heights. East and west-facing bluffs mean a much longer climb season than in other destinations in the state.
Bring your own gear—there are no bolted sport routes here. You’ll need to go to a different town, like Red Wing, for that.
A climbing permit is required for every climber at Interstate State Park. These won’t break the bank—they’re free, good for one year, and can be obtained at the Visitor Center or the self-pay kiosks near the parking lot.
If you’re new to outdoor climbing, considering booking a guided climb. Midwest Mountain Guides and Forged Guides both offer regular climbing tours in Taylors Falls.
Canoe or Kayak Down the St. Croix River
Conveniently located in Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls Canoe and Kayak Rental allows visitors to experience the park from a different vantage point.
Single and double kayaks and canoes are available for $35 to $52 each, inclusive of life jackets. The outfitter also offers guided paddling experiences to Osceola, which include a return shuttle to the park.
Watch out for wildlife during your paddle. 75% of visitors will see at least one bald eagle as they’re floating along the St. Croix River, according to Explore Minnesota, the state’s tourism board.
See Art at Franconia Sculpture Park
Prairie skies read like a painted backdrop for the modern sculptures at Franconia Sculpture Park. A five-minute drive away from Taylors Falls in the small town of Shafer, this open-air gallery welcomes a selection of artists-in-residence who create and teach for the organization.
The park has been operating for over 25 years, housing 100 sculptures that are totally free to visit every day of the year from 8 am to 8 pm. Inside, Mardag Gallery showcases rotating exhibitions that aren’t as weather-resilient.
Shop for Souvenirs at Local Boutiques
There isn’t much shopping in Taylors Falls, but the town’s few boutiques prove that quality over quantity is the way to go. Like what Art n Soul / Stillwater Beads is to Stillwater, Taylors Falls Bead Store is a haven for crafty creatives with an expansive inventory of gems, crystals, rocks, and minerals.
With August brings an artisanal approach to souvenirs, and River Alley Shoppes is a kitschy hodgepodge of new and antique items begging for a place in your cabin.
Ski or Swim at Wild Mountain
“Fun” at Wild Mountain is exclusively defined by how much fun you can have going downhill, whether it be on a ski slope or waterslide. The ski area in Taylors Falls offers skiing and snowtubing in the winter, transforming into a waterpark in the summer.
As a ski area, Wild Mountain offers runs for all skill levels, with green, blue, and black diamond trails available. In warmer months, four waterslides, a water tree fort, a 1,700-foot-tall alpine slide, and go-karts are available.
Restaurants in Taylors Falls
Tangled Up in Blue
The most elegance you’ll find in Taylors Falls is easily at Tangled Up in Blue, an American restaurant serving fresh fish and hearty hand-cuts of beef. The intimate eatery is an ideal date-night spot in the town and probably not ideal if you’ve brought the kids along.
An unusually upscale find in a town known more for biker bars and burger dives than fine dining, Tangled Up in Blue’s eclectic surroundings and neighborly service aren’t pretentious. A little pricey, maybe, but portions are generous and quality justifies any previous hesitation.
The Drive In Restaurant
Retro burger joints seem to be a mascot of small towns in Minnesota, and Taylors Falls isn’t one to break that rule. The Drive In Restaurant is one of the most frequented restaurants in the town, serving a heavy side of nostalgia with its thick burgers.
Burgers, always hand-packed, start as low as $8, and root beer is homemade. Like the name suggests, you can literally drive into this restaurant, where you’ll be served by carhops wearing poodle skirts as if it’s still July 5th, 1956, the day that Allan Anderson opened the joint.
Be Wild Burgers
Across the river, in Taylors Falls’ twin city of St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, Be Wild Burgers puts a modern Midwestern spin on the burger. Accessible from the north campground in Interstate State Park via a 10-minute hike on the Ladder Tank Trail, the walk-up burger bar only offers outdoor seating.
Playing into the Midwest’s affinity for pickles, the pickle burger goes all in with dill pickle ranch, pickled red onions, dill pickles, dill havarti cheese, and dill pickle chips.
If an inferno burger (buffalo ranch, pepper jack cheese, chopped bacon, and pickled jalepeños) sounds daunting, keep it classic with the standard burger (Cooper’s American cheese, pickle, onion, tomato, and secret sauce).
Camping in Taylors Falls
There are a bed and breakfast and a few vacation rentals in Taylors Falls, but hotels overall aren’t so much a thing. Camping is the most popular accommodation choice in the town, which can be easily accomplished at Interstate State Park or Wildwood RV Park and Campground.
Interstate State Park
Camping is permitted in Interstate State Park from April 1st to the third weekend in October. Choose your campsite carefully: Of the park’s 37 locations, only 22 sites are electric with 20- and 30-amp service.
The drive-in campground offers showers and flush toilets. RVs are allowed, but must be 45 feet or under.
The base fee for drive-in camping at Interstate State Park is $24 a night. Use of electric and water or sewage service requires an additional $10 and $8 per night, respectively. Reservations can be made online or over the phone.
Wildwood RV Park and Campground
A few minutes outside of Taylors Falls, Wildwood RV Park and Campground is a private camping area offering a slightly more polished camping experience than Interstate State Park.
Just about any type of campground you could need is here for tenting or hooking up a camper or RV up to 70 feet. Reservations can be made online, and prices range from $44 to $75 per night for two adults and two children (additional people can be added on for a nominal fee).
Amenities at the campground include a heated outdoor pool, showers, flush toilets, basketball, volleyball, playground, and mini golf ($3 additional fee).
Free shuttles are available to take guests to Taylors Falls Canoe & Kayak Rentals.
