Did You Know? - The “Other” Hidden Falls

Most of you are probably familiar with the beautiful “Hidden Falls” at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park, you’ve probably even hiked to it multiple times and even had your photo taken there, (if you haven’t, I highly recommend you do) but did you know there is a second “Hidden Falls” in the area?

Known as “The Other Hidden Falls”, (Herald cover photo) this falls is mainly known only to locals, folks who grew up in the area, and probably a few deer hunters. The Hidden Falls in the main park area is a very well-known and highly photographed location with a beautiful walking trail maintained by the Nerstrand Big Woods State Park. The Other Hidden Falls is also located on State Park property however there is no actual trail to get to it, it’s a bit of a walk, sometimes difficult. Very few people ever go to it, but if you are lucky enough to find it, it’s a hidden gem that’s bigger than the falls in the main park area, and located in a beautiful, serene setting.

Located in the northeast section of the Big Woods State Park property, it is not accessible from the main park area. While I won’t give you exact directions on getting to it in this article, (that’s a local secret) I will tell you that it is accessible from the Valley Grove Church prairie preservation area as a starting point, but be prepared for a good hike if you are going to try to find it.

It’s fitting that in order to find this beautiful location you start your journey from another beautiful location, Valley Grove Church. If you’ve never visited Valley Grove, you are really missing something special. I grew up in the Valley Grove area and many of my relatives are buried there, (I will be at some point as well) so I may be a bit partial to it. Valley Grove was built by Norwegian immigrants including some of my relatives. It is the site of a stone church built in 1862 and a white clapboard church built in 1894. It is surrounded by acres of rolling prairie grasses and an oak savanna, adjacent to the Nerstrand Big Woods State Park property. Limestone from my ancestor’s property was used to help build the stone church. My grandmother was an organist in the wood church. My father was on the cemetery board for many years until he passed away, then my brother took over his position. My roots run deep at Valley Grove.

The church was decommissioned in 1973, it no longer has a congregation or services, with the exception of special events. It is a very special location maintained by the Valley Grove Preservation Society. Every visit I make to it, whether to visit my father’s gravesite as well as other relatives, walk my dog on the prairie trails or just sit on a bench under the many oak trees in the quietness of Valley Grove, it always leaves me with a feeling of peace, calmness and closer to God. If you go for a visit in the summer take a picnic with you and find a place in the cemetery to sit for a time while you eat. That may sound odd, having a picnic in the cemetery, but you’ll be glad you did as it is the most tranquil location, on a hill, under oak trees and surrounded by beauty. I guarantee you will leave feeling better than when you came. So, as I mentioned, it is very fitting that in order to find the Other Hidden Falls, you have to start your journey at Valley Grove.

The Other Hidden Falls is one of those unique places that has remained untouched by most humans and reveals itself only to a few lucky searchers and hikers. There are no trails to it. It is one of God’s many beautiful creations in nature that sometimes we take for granted or maybe don’t even know about, it simply exists in peaceful wonder waiting for the few lucky enough to find it.

If you prefer to forego the hunt for the Other Hidden Falls, as well as the hike, you can just look at these photos to the right, taken by my brother on a recent hike he made there in early January to see its frozen beauty. (He’s a local, he knows how to get there!)

If you choose to go on the hunt for the falls, since there are no trails to it plan accordingly for a possibly challenging hike. A clue as to how you will find this hidden gem is to listen carefully as you walk. You will hear the creek running before you see anything. Once you find the creek, follow it upstream and you will eventually find the falls. Listening it seems is always good advice! Sometimes you have to do some work in order to find the most beautiful things in life, but they are there and once you find them it’s well worth the effort. A deep search on the internet “may” give you some better hiking instructions in order to find the “Other Hidden Falls”, or maybe just ask a local for directions…you’ll find one in the church office.

Sandy Vesledahl, Office Administrator