About This Playground

🌳 Falls Park is a beautiful park centered around the cascading waters of the Big Sioux River in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The park features playgrounds designed to complement the natural beauty of the falls, offering recreational opportunities for families visiting this iconic landmark.

Visitor Experience: Falls Park receives overwhelmingly positive reviews, with visitors praising the integration of playgrounds within the natural setting of the falls. Families particularly appreciate having play areas where children can burn energy while parents enjoy the scenic views.>

More about this playground

Playground Type

Park Tourist attraction Point of interest Establishment Wheelchair Accessible Indoor Play Ages 0-12

Address

131 E Falls Park Dr, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, USA

Phone

(605) 367-8222

+1 605-367-8222

Coordinates

43.55697, -96.72193

Hours of Operation

Open Now
Monday 5:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Tuesday 5:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Wednesday 5:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Thursday Today 5:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Friday 5:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Saturday 5:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Sunday 5:00 AM – 12:00 AM

Hours may vary during holidays. Please call ahead for confirmation.

Playground Features

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Age Suitability

The playground areas are designed for children of various ages, with separate sections for toddlers (2-5 years) and older children (5-12 years).

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Equipment Available

The park offers modern playground equipment including slides, swings, climbing structures, and interactive play panels. Some unique features include rock-climbing walls designed to reflect the natural quartzite formations of the area.

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Shaded Areas

Limited natural shade is provided by scattered trees near the playground areas. During summer months, the lack of extensive shade can make the playgrounds hot during peak afternoon hours.

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Seating For Parents

Multiple benches and seating areas are positioned around the playgrounds, allowing parents to supervise children while enjoying views of the falls.

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Restroom Availability

Clean, well-maintained restroom facilities are available near the playground areas and throughout the park.

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Drinking Fountains

Several drinking fountains can be found near the playground and along walking paths, with some offering bottle-filling stations.

Safety Accessibility

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Fencing

Playgrounds are partially bordered by decorative fencing in areas near water features, though most play areas are open to the surrounding park.

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Surface Material

Play areas feature rubber mulch and poured rubber surfaces for safety and fall protection.

Ada Accessibility

Playgrounds include accessible equipment and ADA-compliant paths leading to and through play areas.

Cleanliness Maintenance

The playgrounds are well-maintained and regularly cleaned as part of the city's commitment to keeping Falls Park as a premier attraction.

Additional Amenities

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Nearby Parking

Ample free parking is available in designated lots throughout Falls Park, with the closest lot just a short walk from the playground areas.

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Pet Policy

Dogs are welcome in Falls Park but must be leashed at all times. Pets are not permitted in playground areas for safety and hygiene reasons.

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Bike Racks

Several bike rack stations are available throughout the park, including near playground areas, encouraging active transportation.

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Nearby Food Options

Falls Overlook Café operates seasonally in a historic building offering light meals and refreshments. Food trucks occasionally visit the park during summer months and special events.

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Sports Areas

While there are no formal sports courts within Falls Park itself, open green spaces are available for informal play.

Walking / Biking Trails Nearby

An extensive network of paved walking and biking paths connects the park to the city's larger trail system, including the Big Sioux River Recreation Trail.

Community Reviews

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User Submitted Photos

Social media platforms feature numerous photos of children enjoying the playground equipment with the falls as a dramatic backdrop.

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Recent Reviews

Recent visitors highlight the cleanliness of the playground areas and appreciate how the play spaces allow families to extend their visit to the falls.

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Crowd Levels

Playgrounds can become busy during weekends and summer months, especially between 10am-4pm. Weekday mornings typically offer a less crowded experience.

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Special Events

The park hosts seasonal events like Winter Wonderland and summer concerts, during which playground areas may see increased activity.

User Experience

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Entrance Fee

Falls Park and all playground areas are completely free to visit and enjoy.

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Space For Groups

The playground areas can accommodate small to medium-sized groups, though no formal reservation system exists for play equipment.

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Nature Connection

The playgrounds are designed to complement the natural environment, with colors and themes that reflect the surrounding quartzite rock formations and waterfall setting.

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Noise Level

Background noise from the rushing falls creates a pleasant natural sound barrier that masks typical playground sounds.

Aesthetic Design

The playground design incorporates elements reflecting local geology and the falls, creating a cohesive experience that fits with the park's natural beauty.

Safety Regulations

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Security Presence

Park rangers and local police regularly patrol Falls Park, including playground areas, especially during peak visitor times.

Rules Restrictions

Standard playground rules apply, including adult supervision requirements for young children and prohibitions on roughhousing or misuse of equipment.

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First Aid Availability

Park staff are trained in basic first aid, and the Falls Park Visitor Center maintains first aid supplies for minor injuries.

Community Interaction

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Community Activities

The playground areas occasionally host organized activities for children as part of larger park events or city recreation programs.

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Social Interaction

The playground design encourages cooperative play and social interaction among children, with multiple access points and play stations that accommodate several users simultaneously.

Sustainability Environment

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Eco Friendly Practices

The playgrounds incorporate sustainable materials where possible, and the park practices environmentally responsible maintenance methods.

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Renewable Energy

Some lighting around the playground areas is powered by solar panels, part of the city's commitment to renewable energy in public spaces.

Walkability Bike Access

Falls Park is well-connected to downtown Sioux Falls via walking paths and bike trails, making it accessible without a car for local residents.

Reviews

4.8
(13055.0)
M

Mitch W

3 months ago

Falls Park in Sioux Falls, SD, is absolutely stunning and a must visit! The waterfalls are the main attraction and are truly breathtaking, offering beautiful views and plenty of photo opportunities. The park is well maintained, with clean pathways and plenty of open spaces to relax or enjoy a picnic. There’s also an observation tower that provides a great panoramic view of the entire area, including the falls and the surrounding city. The history of the area, highlighted by signs and the remnants of the old mill, adds a nice touch. Whether you’re here for a quick stop or to spend a few hours, Falls Park offers a peaceful and picturesque escape. Highly recommend it for anyone visiting Sioux Falls!

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S

Sylvia Valdez

2 months ago

Very beautiful decorated! Smelled like sewer a little, but we walked around and enjoyed the sites. Family-friendly and most definitely kid friendly. It's a drive-through, but as i said, we walked it to enjoy it.The cafe was a nice place for coffee and ice cream. The hot chocolate was Luke warm, though. The waterfall was beautiful to see with different color lights. We walked the park in 43* weather. Shopped and got t-shirts, postcards, and an ornament for our tree to show all our traveling ventures. Come on out and bring the family and enjoy a night out in this park. Bring your fur baby. I saw lots of people with their fur babies. I'm so glad to see most had covered their dogs with a shirt or little jacket and on a leash. Don't forget to be kind and pick up your dogs poop. Family time is always the best time. Hope you come see it but at night.

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P

Pastor T. Aaron Richards, M.Th.

2 months ago

I love waterfalls and when I come there to visit, I just to come there. The ducks are a nice sight to see swimming around. I have been to all 48 lower states and looked at waterfalls. The best by far is the one in Yellowstone N.P.

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H

Hung Thai

5 months ago

Very nice park highlighting the Sioux Falls, which is also the focal point of the whole city. Lots of walking paths and green fields for families to enjoy. There's a lookout tower you can climb up though I'm not sure if you have to pay for access. Plenty of parking as well. The falls cascade multiple levels. We only stopped here in the morning but I think it would be pretty cool at night illuminated by colorful lights.

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M

Mack D

5 months ago

Beautiful waterway with small but slippery red quartz bluffs and greenery all around. They closed the previous entrance so everyone must go through camping and pay the fee. Trails have a lot of rocky terrain, including stairs; saw plenty of folks out with their kids and dogs. Lovely place to sit in the sun and cool breeze listening to water babble over the rocks. There is a bridge you can get great photos from that is completely wheelchair accessible, near the camping parking lot

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