Mankato, MN

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.

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 a limestone staircase and access to the south side of Minneopa Falls.

Bison Herd

In 2015 the Minnesota DNR introduced 13 genetically pure bison into the park’s native prairie grasslands.

Native Prairie Grasslands

Prior to European settlement, 1/3 of Minnesota was prairie grassland. Today, approximately 1% (250,000 acres) of native prairie remains.

Seppmann Mill

At the end of the Bison Range road is Seppmann Mill, a German-style mill completed in 1864