Hokah, Minnesota is a small town of about 600 located where Minnesota State Highway 44 meets the Historic Bluff Country National Scenic Byway on Minnesota Highway 16. The city was founded in 1851 and is named after a local Native American chief, Wecheschatope Hokah. The word “hokah” itself means “root,” much like the Root River that flows through at the foot of scenic bluffs of the Driftless Area. The river provides opportunities for canoes, kayaks, and fishing but Hokah’s main attraction is the beautiful Como Falls, the site of countless weddings, get-togethers, and happy memories. Beyond the falls lies the truly unique Hokah Pool, a spring-fed, sand-bottom pool with no chemicals for an experience unlike any other. Out of the water, Hokah boasts four parks, horseshoe courts, and a ball diamond with a temptingly-short right-field porch.

Take a walk down a classic American Main Street and browse antiques, sample local food, absorb the local culture, and find just about anything at the expansive Hokah Hardware store. After filling up at any of our eateries, curl up with a nice book in the cozy and welcoming atmosphere of the Hokah Public Library. If you’d like to stay a little longer, stop by the Hokah City Center where highly customizable space is available for rent for a fair price, just fifteen minutes from La Crosse. Stop by on a Sunday morning to worship at one of Hokah’s four churches, or come to town for events put on by our local Lions Club, 4-H club, American Legion auxiliary, or Hokah Forever, our local welcoming committee. At any time of year, come to cheer on the Lancers of LaCrescent-Hokah schools in football, baseball, soccer, hockey, track, robotics, and many other sports and activities.

Hokah is a member of Southeast Minnesota Historic Bluff Country, a tourism advocacy organization that promotes the beautiful 88 miles between LaCrescent and Dexter along Highway 16. Hokah currently owns the record for rainfall in a 24-hour period, when 15.1 inches fell in August of 2007 as part of the famous 2007 flood. Hokah is a town steeped in history, which you can view at the Hokah Heritage Room in the basement of our historic City Hall, a WPA project from 1938. As you head out of town, either up the ridge, or down the river, or further down a trip on the Scenic Byway, you’ll understand why the proud folks of Hokah live by the words “Hokah Forever.”