I Took A Spontaneous Road Trip Through Minnesota And It Was Perfect For A Weekend Of Adventure
I was recently glancing through my Minnesota State Parks Passport and realized that I hadn’t visited a couple key parks since I picked up my passport – and I still had others that I hadn’t yet visited! So, I waited for the weekend to roll around, packed up my vehicle, and hit the road with an eye toward making as many road trip stops through Minnesota as I could. I plugged my itinerary into this handy Google map, so you can come along for the ride.
The meat of this itinerary comes in at under eight hours of driving, the total time will vary with your starting and ending points.
* Fort Ridgely State Park – Fairfax *
Fort Ridgely State Park, 72158 Co Rd 30, Fairfax, MN 55332, USA
br>This is one park I had not yet visited in person, so my spontaneous weekend road trop seemed like the perfect time to do so. Fort Ridgely is a small park, but it was an awesome place to stretch my legs and learn more about the key role this site played in Minnesota history – particularly during the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862. It’s also how this particular itinerary came into being.
1. Giant Coot – Ashby
Giant Coot, Melby Ave, Ashby, MN 56309, USA
Ashby is where I decided to get off the freeway, and in doing so, I was delighted to see that it had a roadside attraction – this giant coot. This inspired me to look for other quirky roadside attractions over the weekend – and I was not disappointed.
2. Chief Wenonga – Battle Lake
Chief Wenonga Statue, 697-799 Lake Ave N, Battle Lake, MN 56515, USA
I didn’t have long to wait, because just a few minutes up the road, I encountered the statue of Chief Wenonga in the charming community of Battle Lake.
3. Otter Statue – Ottertail
10 ft Otter, Ottertail, MN 56571, USA
The next town up the road, Ottertail, served up a lovely, 10-foot otter sculpture.
* Y Steakhouse – Park Rapids *
Y Steak House, 19134 U. S. Hwy 71, Park Rapids, MN 56470, USA
4. Itasca State Park – Park Rapids
Itasca State Park, 36750 Main Pk Dr, Park Rapids, MN 56470, USA
I managed to score a room at the historic Douglas Lodge. I was my first time staying in the lodge, and I was happy I didn’t have to pitch a tent after all that driving. I paid less than $100 for the room, which was clean and well-appointed.
In the morning, I did a quick highlights tour of the park, and even though it was a free parks Saturday, I was first to arrive at the Mississippi headwaters – and had this iconic place all to myself (if you don’t count the mosquitoes).
Itasca State Park, 36750 Main Pk Dr, Park Rapids, MN 56470, USA
I took a quick hike through the Preachers Grove stand of old-growth pines, then hit the main visitor center to get my passport stamped.
* World’s Largest Paul Bunyan Statue – Akeley *
Paul Bunyan Statue, Heartland State Trail, Akeley, MN 56433, USA
5. La Salle Lake State Recreation Area – Solway
La Salle Lake State Recreation Area, 10899 Co Hwy 9, Solway, MN 55678, USA
I admit I was feeling pressed for time at this stop, especially given the rest of the day’s plans. So, I’ll need to go back and explore more to justify my passport stamp.
* Paul Bunyan and Babe The Blue Ox – Bemidji *
Paul Bunyan & Babe the Blue Ox Statues, 300 Bemidji Ave N, Bemidji, MN 56601, USA
The state’s most famous Paul Bunyan statue – the one in Bemidji, along with Babe the Blue Ox – was right on the way to the next destination. So, of course, I stopped.
6. Lake Bemidji State Park
Lake Bemidji State Park, 3401 State Park Rd NE, Bemidji, MN 56601, USA
Along this easy hike, I saw all sorts of cool plants, including some orchids and these carnivorous pitcher plants. This easy hike was definitely a highlight, and I’d do it again.
* Lady Slipper Scenic Byway Interpretive Wayside – Pennington *
Lady Slipper Scenic Byway Interpretive and Rest Areas, Scenic Hwy NE, Blackduck, MN 56630, USA
Chances are, you’ll encounter some of the state’s iconic orchids, like lady’s slippers. I was there too early to see the state flower, show lady’s slippers, blooming. But these lovely yellow lady’s slippers were a nice consolation.
* Big Fish Supper Club – Bena *
The Big Fish Supper Club and Resort, 456 US-2, Bena, MN 56626, USA
7. Schoolcraft State Park – Deer River
Schoolcraft State Park, 9042 Schoolcraft Ln NE, Deer River, MN 56636, USA
8. Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge – McGregor
Birds are the big deal here.
Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge, McGregor, MN 55760, USA
Especially waterfowl. But there are plenty of flowers, plants, and other interesting animals on the refuge. I’ve seen foxes before, and on this visit, a black bear crashed off into the woods before I could get a picture.
* Ditch Ducks *
Ditch Ducks, MN-65, McGregor, MN 55760, USA
I started my adventure from the western suburbs of the Metro on Friday afternoon, and I was back home before 10 p.m. on Sunday – even with all the road trip stops through Minnesota I made. It was a lot of driving, but I had a ton of fun and am already plotting my next adventures in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Next time you’re wondering where to go on a Minnesota road trip, just check out all the road trip suggestions we at OnlyInYourState have for you. You’re sure to find an adventure you’ll love!
Do you love road trips as much as I do? Be sure to tell us what you think are some of the best Minnesota road trips in the comments!
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