Yearly reminder: Walking behind frozen Minnehaha Falls is illegal

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is reminding everyone Minnehaha Falls is unsafe for the public, and the only safe viewing areas are from the footbridge above the falls or the overlook area near SeaSalt.

The falls are nearly frozen over, and moving water, boulders, slippery slopes and other unsafe conditions means it’s not safe to access the base any time of year, Park and Recreation officials said in a news release on Tuesday.

During the winter, the stairs leading down to the creek are cordoned off. Anyone behind and at the base of the falls will be considered trespassing. There are multiple signs posted in the area.

“Visitors accessing the falls area by sliding down the gorge's slopes are not only putting themselves at risk for injury, they are also endangering the lives of police and other emergency personnel who will need to respond when an injury does occur,” officials said.