Winter transforms waterfalls into something breathtaking — towering walls of ice, soft blue tones glowing in the cold light, and a quiet so deep you can hear your own breath. These frozen falls turn familiar trails into winter worlds, each one inviting you to slow down and marvel at what the season can create.
Gooseberry Falls, Minnesota
Gooseberry becomes a frozen cathedral in winter. The water pauses mid-cascade, forming broad layers of ice that catch the light in shifting shades of blue and white. You can wander the overlook trails in near silence, hearing only the faint murmur of water moving beneath its frozen shell.
Minnehaha Falls, Minnesota
Minnehaha’s frozen curtain is one of winter’s most iconic sights. The waterfall hardens into a shimmering wall of ice, and when conditions allow, a glowing icy chamber forms behind it — a place where the light feels soft, the air feels still, and winter feels close enough to touch.
Amnicon Falls, Wisconsin
Amnicon’s cascades freeze into delicate shapes, creating a pathway of sculpted ice framed by snow-covered pines. The smaller falls give the scenery a more intimate feel, making it a perfect stop if you’re seeking quiet, uncomplicated beauty.
High Falls — Tettegouche State Park, Minnesota
High Falls turns dramatic in winter. Its sheer height becomes even more striking when the entire drop freezes into a towering sheet, with only a whisper of water pushing underneath. The surrounding gorge amplifies the quiet, turning the whole experience into a winter moment worth savoring.
Kakabeka Falls, Ontario
Just across the border, Kakabeka offers a wide, powerful winter display. The falls freeze into massive shapes, creating an icy amphitheater where mist crystallizes on railings and the canyon walls glow beneath pale northern sunlight.
Frozen waterfalls remind us that winter isn’t empty — it’s full of detail, beauty, and quiet power. And when you return from the cold, few things feel as comforting as stepping into warmth again. Trailside Hotel offers that perfect shift from icy wonder to fireside calm.
Your winter retreat begins at thetrailsidehotel.com.
