Home › Minnesota › Stillwater › Fairy Falls Trailhead
Fairy Falls Trailhead
4.4 ★★★★☆ 50 Google reviews · Running trail in Stillwater, Minnesota · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Fairy Falls Trailhead's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
What runners say about Fairy Falls Trailhead
you'll reach the top of the falls very quickly following the trail. Keep going on the trail even though it seems like you're going away from the falls. It will take you to the bottom of the cliff where you can follow the river back to the bottom of the falls.
Parking is located directly across from trailhead on Fairy Falls Rd N & Orwell Ave N. See picture (taken on Orwell facing Fairy Falls Rd and the trailhead info. The falls are pretty tall and that's not apparent from the pictures. At least 30ft and the gorge below drops to at least 75 feet from the trails above.
Fairy Falls is such an awesome spot to go hiking and see a majestic hidden waterfall. To get here, take the google maps instructions til it says "you're here", but then you have to take a quick turn due south on Orwell ave to park (left if you're heading north from downtown Stillwater, right if you're coming from…
Very cool short hike. Parking is on street. Big white sign is start of trail. Walk down hill, cross little bridge(stream) follow stream on top of hill until you get to where you feel like you're getting to main highway, there will be a little trail that turns right and that is the trail that follows along the bottom…
Trail conditions & character
“As of March 2024, the falls are completely dry but that will be the case for many waterfalls this spring after no snow or precipitation for months.”
“It’s hard to see the trail during winter and snowfall so do be careful because the path is steep in many places.”
“We hiked for 30 minutes but couldn’t find our way to the bottom of the waterfall or the loop back to the trailhead.”
“Since we went when the waterfall was still frozen we couldn’t make a loop around the waterfall but you can still do a to the waterfall and back.”
Plan your run at Fairy Falls Trailhead
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
Running trails near Stillwater
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
St. Croix Boom Site State Wayside
4.6 ★★★★★ 501 reviews
Timber was once sorted at this site, which is now a nature area with a picnic area & boat launch.
Saint Croix Riverfront Valley View Hiking Trails
5 ★★★★★ 1 reviews
Brown's Creek State Trailhead Kiosk
4.6 ★★★★★ 53 reviews
Outdoor spot that features a scenic trail for walking, biking and running, and dogs are allowed.
