Minnesota River State Trail:
Minnesota
Trail Map
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Description:
When complete, the Minnesota River State Trail will stretch from Big Stone Lake State Park in Ortonville to Le Sueur, a distance of more than 175 miles. Currently, three disconnected segments of the trail are open, providing approximately 12 miles of trail through the scenic river valley.
The first open segment starts at the southern end of Big Stone Lake, the headwaters of the Minnesota River. The lake's clear waters and sandy beaches make it a popular spot for fishing, boating and swimming. Begin your journey at Lakeside Park, the site of Ortonville's Cornfest, a tradition of live music, children's activities, food and a parade that has been occurring every August since 1931. From there, the trail moves south along a tree-dotted route, closely hugging the waterway at times for lovely river views, and ends not far from the South Dakota border.
The second segment begins in Milan, a close-knit community with a rich Scandinavian heritage. The trail travels west from the outskirts of town through open countryside along MN State Highway 40 to Lac qui Parle, a reservoir whose name means the "lake which speaks." The lake abounds with many types of song birds and waterfowl, especially during the fall when flocks of Canada geese stop here during their migration.
The final segment begins on the outskirts of Montevideo, a name that means "from the mountain I see," which was given to the town for its views overlooking the valley. It's here that the Minnesota River connects to the Chippewa. The trail travels south through rural landscapes to the small village of Wegdahl.
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Parking & Trail Access:
Parking for the first (northern-most) segment is available at Lakeside Park in Ortonville.
Parking for the southern-most segment is available off Ashmore Avenue in Montevideo.
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