Quietly Beautiful - Wildly Connected
A world of outdoor adventures awaits you in western Minnesota! The Minnesota River, along with its major drainages of the Chippewa, Pomme de Terre and Yellow Medicine rivers, and plentiful lakes including Big Stone and Lac qui Parle are a recreational magnet for fisherman, hunters, birders, paddlers and nature enthusiasts.
A combination of refuges, public management areas, a state park and private lands along the Minnesota River form one of the largest intact river ecosystems in the United States. The 62,000 acres of managed wetland, woodland and virgin prairie provide an excellent environment for wildlife and native vegetation.
Hunting of all kinds is plentiful in Western Minnesota. 62,000 acres of managed wetland, woodland and prairie are available to the hunting enthusiast. These Wildlife Management Areas offer an abundance of duck, pheasant, deer and goose hunting.
Challenging trails to accommodate all Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) skill levels beckon at The Appleton Area OHV Park, a public off-road vehicle parks. The 325-acre site currently includes more than seven miles of trails including five miles specifically designed for all terrain vehicles. In addition, there is one mile of motorcycle and one mile of enduro trails. The site also features jumps, play area, sand dunes and other OHV activities. Other features in the park include shelter/picnic areas, hiking and a pavilion.
Photo Credits: Rob Rakow
The 10,000 acre Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge features car and bike tour routes and foot trails. Hiking the granite outcroppings provides ventures into plant, stone, and wildlife study. Plants as rare as ball cactus can be readily found in this area. Located just south of Ortonville on Highways 7 & 75, the refuge offers a hard-surfaced 9.3 mile auto tour route. Groomed hiking trails begin at the edge of the parking lot. A public canoe access is also available and wildlife is abundant.
The 11,500 acre Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge lies within the heart of the historic tallgrass prairie. A drive along Minnesota’s Scenic Highway 7 provides a glimpse of wildflowers like yellow coneflower and leadplant, and grasses such as big bluestem and prairie dropseed. These plant species are components of the Refuge’s 1,700 acres of remnant tallgrass prairie. The Refuge features car and bike tour routes and foot trails.
During the summer months visitors have the opportunity to view bison grazing on restored prairie within the auto tour route. Hiking the granite outcroppings along the Minnesota River provides ventures into plant, stone, and wildlife study. The only population of ball cactus in Minnesota can be readily found in this area.
Big Stone Refuge boasts over 260 bird species that utilize the Refuge’s grassland and wetland habitats. The Refuge serves as a major migratory stopover for more than 20 species of waterfowl and 30 species of shorebirds. The highest concentrations of some shorebird species in the state of Minnesota and in the prairie potholes can be found on the Refuge. Bald Eagles have successfully raised 2-3 eaglets every year on the Refuge since 1995. Located just south of Ortonville on Highways 7 & 75, the refuge offers a hard-surfaced 9.3 mile auto tour route.
Hiking trails begin at the edge of the parking lot complete with public restrooms. A public canoe access is also available and wildlife observation opportunities abound.
There are miles of country backroads in our region with a variety of scenery and terrain. Bike around Lac qui Parle Lake, or travel on the Minnesota River Valley National Scenic Byway roads. The backroads are quiet and perfect for biking.
You’ll also find community trails in Appleton, Benson, Dawson, Granite Falls, Milan, and Montevideo. Biking trails are also located in our three state parks, Big Stone, Lac qui Parle, and Monson.
Discover the Prairie Waters lakes and rivers with your canoe or kayak.
