Devil’s Kettle was named one of the U.S. top 250 landmarks

According to a poll conducted by Aqua Expeditions asking which U.S. local landmarks folks would most like to visit, Minnesota has five natural landmarks in the top 250.

The poll asked 2,100 Americans for their choices.

Rated 179 is Devil’s Kettle. Mystically, the falls on the Brule River split, with most of the water tumbling over a typical waterfall while water flows into a deep hole just above. Where does that water go? No one knows for sure. To find the answer, folks have tried to pour dye, ping pong balls, and logs into the Kettle and all have vanished without a trace.

In 2016 hydrologists from Minnesota DNR did a study to see how much water was flowing above the waterfall and how much was flowing below Devil’s Kettle. The results were close, indicating that the Kettle water probably comes up somewhere close to the waterfall pool. But a follow-up to test with dyes didn’t happen and the results of the hydrologists study are still in question.

Today you can take the 1.5-mile hike and climb the 200 stairs to get to the falls. When you see the odd georgical wonder ask yourself, Where does that water go? Wouldn’t you like to know?

In the 194th spot is Gooseberry Falls. Offering a four-level waterfall and breathtaking scenic overlooks, the park is a true natural wonder. Finally, the Mill Lacs Kathio State Park Site in Onamia, with mounds believed to date to 300 B.C., is ranked 195, with the Mountain Iron Mine ranked 223.

Harmony, Minnesota’s Niagara Cave, is ranked 29th. Nigra Cave is 200 feet deep and has a 60-foot waterfall, fossils, stalactites, and stalagmites.

So, what was the number one site folks most wanted to see? The Great Smoky Mountains National Park which attracted 14.1 million visitors in 2021.