Kawishiwi Falls

Kawishiwi Falls is a must-see destination for visitors to Ely, Minnesota. In the Ojibwe language the word Kawishiwi means “river full of beaver or muskrat houses”.  Parking for this waterfall is located six miles east of Ely on the north side of Fernberg Road. To get to the falls from the Parking area visitors must take a 0.8-mile lollipop loop trail through the woods.

There is a map of the trail at the trailhead. The trail is well-worn and easy to navigate. At the quarter mile mark the trail begins its loop on a boardwalk; go to the right here. In about a tenth of a mile the 70-foot high Kawishiwi Falls will come into view. The water here flows from the dammed Garden Lake to Fall Lake. One can explore theses lakes and the dam by taking the portage trail that runs between the two lakes. After taking in the beauty of Kawishiwi Falls continue on the trail loop back to the parking lot.