1Runestone County Park X

This 193 acre park is the homestead of Swedish farmer Olaf Ohman, founder of the Kensington Runestone. In the fall of 1898 he and his son noticed strange carvings on a large flat stone, known as the Runestone, imbedded in the roots of a tree they were grubbing. The runes were translated as follows: “8 Goths and 22 Norwegians on exploration journey from Vinland over the West. We had camp by 2 skerries one days journey north from this stone We were and fished on day. After we came home found 10 men red with blood and dead Ave Maria Save from evil. Have 10 of our party by the sea to look after our ship 14 days journey from this island Year 1362”.

2Runestone Museum X

Take a journey through history and learn about the Norse explorers visit to Douglas County over 600 years ago, leaving behind a 202 pound stone now known world wide as the Kensington Runestone, which is a record of their explorations in the new world. See first hand the Viking ship “Snorri”, a 40 foot replica of a trans–Atlantic Viking Knarr (ship)and other antique ships, on permanent display in the Maritime Museum. Discover Fort Alexandria, which is a replica of the early settlers fort built in 1862, which features a log church, a log general store, a log cabin, an 1885 schoolhouse, and a large agricultural building with many exhibits.

3Douglas County Historical Society X

You are invited to become part of “discovering, preserving, and disseminating the history of Douglas County and its people”! The Douglas County Historical Society is headquartered in the residence of the only foreign born Governor of MN, Knute Nelson. The turn of the century house has been completely restored, with many of the original furnishings intact.

4Andes Tower Hills X

Who would expect a ski hill in the middle of farm country? More than half a million skiers have visited the Andes Tower Hills ski area. Downhill or cross-country skiing, snowboarding or tubing. “Non-ski” season horseback riding, mountain biking and family events. Open year–round.

5Big Ole X

Get your picture taken with Big Ole, a 28 foot, 4 ton Viking statue built in 1965 for the New York World‘s Fair. Big Ole commemorates Alexandria as the “Birthplace of America” due to the Runestone discovery. Big Ole is located on the North end of Broadway in Alexandria.

6Carlos Creek Winery X

An afternoon at Carlos Creek Winery is a wonderful addition to your vacation, special outing or corporate event. Located in Minnesota‘s only federally recognized viticulture area, we offer tours and wine tasting daily and live music every weekend. Tour our 160 acre grounds, rent a four-seater bike, explore North America‘s largest living maze, ski through our orchards or take a dogsled ride through our grounds.

7Lakes, Lakes, & More Lakes X

Douglas County offers over 300 beautiful lakes for boating, fishing, and your favorite recreational water sports.

8Green Lake Bible Camp Chapel X

Perched on a hill overlooking Green Lake is the Norwegian–style stave church. Originally constructed in 1940 and remodeled in the 1990‘s, the church replicates historic stave churches of Norway. The structure is a popular wedding chapel and sightseeing stop.

9Kandiyohi County Museum X

Pioneer and American Indian artifacts, a research library, country school and the impressive Great Northern steam locomotive will help you discover the past. The Sperry House, a restored Victorian home built in 1893 is open for public viewing upon request.

10Old Log Church X

A log church was built on this site in 1868 by Norwegian settlers. A marker commemorating the cemetery was erected in 1975. A replica of the church was built by volunteer labor in 1998 with local logs and materials. An original log granary was moved to the site in 2001 and serves as an interpretive center.

11Endreson Cabin X

This log house, built in 1858, was the home of Guri Endreson and her family. During the U.S. — Dakotah Conflict, Guri saved three men after her husband and son were killed and her daughters kidnapped. The cabin is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. For viewing, contact the Kandiyohi County Historical Society. The cabin is located west of Willmar on U.S. Hwy 12, then north 4 miles on County Road 5, then west on 67th Ave. NW. Follow directional signs.

12Robbins Island X

Robbins Island was formed about 25,000 years ago during the Wisconsin glaciation period. Early people used it as a refuge from prairie fires and their enemies. Artifacts, dated approximately 3,000 years old have been found on the island. Robbins Island has since become a park with picnic shelters, playground equipment, nature trails, swimming beach and Frisbee golf course.

13Monongalia Historical Museum X

Housed in the historic Lebanon Lutheran Church in New London, the museum has an array of unique items, including a linotype newspaper, hand made wooden tools and a wicker undertaker‘s basket. The genealogical library contains the oldest records in the county, dating to 1859. The 1869 Sakariason cabin is also open for viewing.

• Open Memorial Day thru Labor Day
• Thursday-Sunday 1:00-4:00 p.m.
• Other days by appointment.

14Green Lake X

The crystal clear water of Green Lake provides a dazzling backdrop for the community of Spicer. The lake is over 5,400 acres. Spicer is a popular vacation spot offering a bounty of recreational activities. There are many festivals and events that happen all during the year.

15Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center X

Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center (PWELC) provides a beautiful 500 acre outdoor classroom of rolling hills, prairie and wetlands. Activities include environmental education, outdoor recreation, self-guided interpretive walks and hiking/cross-country ski trails. Westby Observatory, Linder Treehouse, Earl B. Olson addition and a renovated barn are popular for meetings, receptions, reunions, and retreats.

16Threshing Rig Alley X

This picturesque scene on the trail has large hills and boulders that serve as pedestals for these relic threshing machines from an earlier era.

17Fort Lake Johanna X

The Fort Lake Johanna Roadside Park provides a perfect departure point for a hike through the Nature Conservancy‘s Ordway Prairie. Fort Lake Johanna was built in 1863 in response to the Sioux Uprising the previous summer. When pioneer farmer, Urjans Iverson, returned to his claim in 1865 he used the logs from the abandoned fort to build his home near the West Lake Johanna Church.

18Pope County Museum X

Organized in 1931 to collect and preserve Pope County history, the museum includes a genealogy library, 11,000 sq. ft. of exhibit galleries, five historic buildings and displays of agricultural & industrial equipment. A unique collection of Native American arts and crafts is a highlight of the museum tour. Pope Co. has 11 sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

19Terrace Mill & Stone Arch Bridge X

Terrace Mill and the Stone Arch Bridge are the picture of pastoral tranquility in downtown Terrace. The Mill once produced flour and feed for area residents, then furnishings for churches throughout North America. Now a cultural center, the Terrace Mill Foundation hosts a number of arts events each year, most notably the Fall Fiddler‘s Contest.

20Indherred Lutheran Church X

Country church spires punctuate the prairie skyline. Indherred Church has been a Pope County landmark since 1872. This active congregation have been great stewards of this grand structure.

21Mount Lookout X

This scenic overlook and wayside rest on Highway 55 offers spectacular views of the City of Glenwood and Lake Minnewaska. The dressed granite retaining walls were built in 1938 by the National Youth Administration. A geological marker describes the glacial action that sculpted the terrain on the Glacial Trail Scenic Byway.

22Starbuck Marina/Hobo Park X

Plenty of people call Starbuck “home” for the summer months by taking up residence in Hobo Park. The Park has 95 campsites, restrooms, dump station, picnic shelter and outside shower for swimmers. The Marina has 200 slips on 100 docks and two wide boat launches.

23Ann Bickle Heritage House X

This preservation project honors the memory of Ann Bickle and Dina Bremness and their devotion to community health. The Bremness Gallery behind the house showcases the art and fine crafts of Pope County. The elegant Heritage House is available for special occasions, private receptions and group meetings. Located in Glenwood.

24Barsness Park & Campground X

This 300 acre park has 33 campsites with full hook-ups, 16 tent sites, modern bathhouse, dump station, 4 miles of hiking trails, softball, baseball, soccer, tennis, skate park, bmx bike track, horseshoe pits, canoe rental, swimming beach, playground equipment and a winter ski area. Part of the park is being restored to native prairie.

25Holly Skogen X

This two acre wooded park has several springs, stone-lined paths and bridges and many unusual rocks, one of which is a Viking mooring rock. Trolls and gnomes welcome visitors to a little bit of Valhalla. Located in Starbuck, MN.

26Indian Mounds Park X

Legend has it that Princess Minnewaska is buried here beside Chief White Bear, who captured Minnewaska and later won her love and her hand as his wife. Located in Long Beach, MN (near Glenwood).

27Swift Falls Village X

Named for the waterfalls on the east branch of the Chippewa River, the village was founded in 1866 by J. M. Danelz, a Swedish immigrant. Danelz built a flour mill using the river to power its water wheel. Swift Falls was the home of Earl B. Olson, the founder of Jennie-O who started by raising turkeys in the area.

28Swift Falls County Park X

Located in Swift Falls on the east branch of the Chippewa River. The park has picnic areas, modern rest rooms, hiking trails, canoe landings, and camping facilities.

29Swift County Museum X

Located in Benson. Managed by Swift County Historical Society. Features numerous exhibits pertaining to Swift County history. Visitors to the museum have praised its genealogy library as one of the best.

• Swift County Museum
• Open year round — Tuesday thru Saturday.
• E-mail: swiftmuseum@embarqmail.com

30St. Francis Catholic Church X

Located in Benson. On the National Register of Historic Places, it was designed by E. L. Masqueray, the same architect who designed the St. Paul Cathedral. Built in 1917, the congregation recently added on the “Gathering Place” making the church handicap accessible.

31Swift County Courthouse X

The Swift County Courthouse was completed and dedicated in 1898. Total cost of construction was $35,000. Over the years the building has been renovated several times. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.

32Christ Episcopal Church X

Built in Benson in 1879, Christ Episcopal Church is on the Register of Historic Places. The congregation was organized with the consent of Bishop H. B. Whipple in 1876 who visited the Church and confirmed its children in 1879.

33Kerkhoven Heritage Room X

Located in the Kerkhoven Civic Center. A collection of local historical artifacts dating back to the days before Kerkhoven was chartered (1881).

34Sabin House X

Located in Murdock, Sabin House (Murdock House) was the home of the founder of Murdock, Samuel Sabin Murdock. The House is on the National Register of Historic Places and has been restored by the community.

35Ambush Park X

Located on the west edge of Benson. The Park offers modern camping facilities, hiking trails, picnic shelters, bathrooms, miniature golf, historic school house, canoe landing, wildlife habitat and native plant exhibits. Adjacent to the park is the new Benson swimming pool with diving, lap swimming, water slide and kids play area. Next to the pool is Benson's 18 hole championship golf course.

• Learn more »

36Pillsbury Park X

Located in Kerkhoven. Offers outdoor swimming pool, picnic shelter and facilities, playground equipment, restrooms and open space.

37Lake Carlos State Park X

The park is located on the north shore of Lake Carlos, part of a “chain of lakes” that includes Lakes Darling, Geneva, Victoria and LeHomme Dieu. Activities include camping, picnicking, fishing, swimming, boating, hiking, horseback riding, snowmobiling and cross country skiing. The park is located in the hardwood transition zone between the prairies to the southwest and coniferous forest to the northeast.

• Learn more »
• 320-852-7200

38Glacial Lakes State Park X

The park preserves a portion of a rare native prairie, which is home to prairie and woodland birds as well as a variety of grasses and flowers. Glacial landscape features, such as kames, kettles, eskers, erratics and moraines, formed during the last glacial period 10,000 years ago, abound. The park offers camping, hiking, boat and canoe rentals, and fishing in spring fed Mountain Lake.

• Learn more »
• 320-239-2860

39Sibley State Park X

This beautiful state park, with over 2,500 acres, is ranked in the top 20 attractions in Minnesota. This park features camping, wildlife, lookout point Mount Tom, and a beach. Visitors can bike, snow shoe or cross country ski on the many trails the park provides.

40Monson Lake State Park X

The park consists of 187 acres of wetlands and hardwood forests on Monson and Sunburg Lakes. Visitors can watch a variety of birds or fish popular Monson Lake for a number of species of fish. The Park lies within the Alexandria Glacial Moraine Complex, which was laid down by glaciers more than 30,000 years ago. The park includes a quiet campground, historic site and a wooded picnic area.

• Learn more »
• 320-366-3797

41Moe Woods X

Moe Woods represents a significant remnant of a mesic hardwood forest surrounded by a prairie, preserved in two parcels totalling 272 acres. American basswood is the dominant tree species along with American elm, bur oak and ironwood. Ferns, wild leeks, red baneberry and yellow lady‘s slipper can be found.

42Ordway Prairie X

Ordway Prairie combines 581 acres of grasslands and woods in a mosaic representation of millions of acres in the Midwest where once competition between forest and prairie was intense. Glacially-deposited hilltops are dry hill prairie.

43Leif Mountains X

Leif Mountains features tall grass prairie, rolling hills and prairie-pothole wetlands. The site harbors four plant species listed as Threatened by the State of Minnesota. The preserve provides habitat for grassland nesting birds, waterfowl and shoreland species.

44Sheepberry Fen X

This 443 acre preserve is the home to one of Minnesota‘s most threatened wetlands, a fen. A fen is a wetland formed by the upwelling of ground water seeping onto the earth‘s surface. Many unique and rare plants and animal‘s survival is dependent on the pure cool water.

45Glacial Lakes Bike Trail X

Hit the trail and have fun experiencing our rolling hills, prairie, wetlands and farmland! This 22–mile trail starts at the Willmar Civic Center, passes through Spicer, New London and on through Hawick to Paynesville. The trail is blacktopped for biking, rollerblading, and hiking.

• Learn more »

46Central Lakes Trail X

Engage in biking, hiking, skate boarding, in-line skating, walking and jogging on this 55-mile asphalt surface, which begins in Osakis and ends in Fergus Falls.

• Learn more »

47Glacial Ridge Bike Trail X

Starting at Glacial Lakes State Park, north to Starbuck, then northeast to Glenwood and Villard, this 19 mile trail traverses miles of beautiful shoreland along Lakes Minnewaska, Amelia, Pelican and Villard.