Once a working waterfalls, the drop in Hastings is the tallest on the nearly 60-mile Vermillion River. The river tumbles over a formation of erosion-resistant dolomite – a mineral that forms with the help of ancient sulfate-reducing bacteria – that’s up to 488 million year old.
A flour-milling plant occupies the north side of the river gorge. From the falls, the Vermillion flows into the Mississippi River.
Here’s a video of Vermillion Falls:
To reach the trailhead, from downtown Hastings take U.S. Hwy 61 south. Turn left/east onto 26th Street and then a right/north into Vermillion Falls park. Park in the lot and follow the marked trailhead north to the falls. The trail is an easy 0.13-miles loop with the waterfalls at just before the halfway mark.
Learn about trail guidebooks available in the Hittin’ the Trail series.
