The Big Sioux River drops over a series of exposed quartzite ledges in the centre of town, and the pink-red colour of the stone gives the cascades an unexpected warmth that catches most visitors off guard. The falls are the city's defining feature and the best free attraction in South Dakota's largest city.
A five-storey observation tower overlooks the scene, and the park is extensive enough to feel like a genuine escape from the city. The ruins of a 19th-century flour mill add historical texture on the south bank. Falls Park is open year-round; winter visits when ice formations cling to the quartzite are particularly dramatic. The adjacent visitor centre has exhibits on the history of the falls and the failed early attempts to industrialise them.