The beautiful Park Rapids area is alive and full of activity during the wintertime, and 2018 is no exception. Visit Park Rapids and nearby Itasca State Park for these events and activities this season:
USXC Snowmobile Race: Park Rapids Heartland 200—January 20 & 21, 2018
The Park Rapids USXC Snowmobile Race consists of 2 one-day events over the weekend of January 20-21. Rev up those engines or bundle up to watch the racers fly through the snow.
The Park Rapids Race is one of seven races on the USXC snowmobile circuit, and we’re proud to host it. Day 1 is the cross country ditch race and Day 2 is the Paul Bunyan forest race. Find the official website here or the Facebook page for photos of past races.
2018 American Legion Fishing Derby—February 3, 2018
Pull out those space heaters and fishing rods for the annual Ice Fishing Contest & Raffle, put on by the Park Rapids American Legion. This year’s prizes are bigger than ever, with a 2017 Ford F-150 Truck as the grand prize!
The weekend is full of sponsored events, including a Welcome Dance at the Legion on Feb 2nd, and the Fisherman’s Ball the evening of the 3rd. This event is always a great opportunity for Park Rapids fans to come together as a community, to have fun, stay warm, and, of course, to do some serious ice fishing.
Heartland Concert Association Concerts
The Heartland Concert Association brings quality musical entertainment to the Park Rapids area at a reasonable price. This winter features Pianist Scott Kirby (February 20, 2018) who will perform a mixture of his own compositions with American pop, folk, and jazz selections.
On March 15, 2018, the Heartland Concert Association will host Windsync, an instrumental group that mixes classical melodies with familiar tunes and performs completely from memory. Windsync was a winner of the 2012 Concert Artists Guild International Competition.
Itasca State Park
This beautiful state park, the source of the Mississippi River, offers a series of fantastic winter activities and events. Check their park event calendar for activities like snowshoeing afternoons, Winter Treasure Hunts, Storytelling evenings, and Old Time Ice Harvesting.
Winter Sports
It wouldn’t be winter in Park Rapids without mentioning the many opportunities for outdoor winter activities. Enjoy extensive Snowmobile Trails throughout the area (see the Snowmobile Trail map here), snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, dog sledding, and even winter camping. Stay warm out there and enjoy all winter has to offer!
Year-Round Lodging
Wondering where to stay while you’re enjoying winter in our area? Find year-round lodging at these local hotels, cabins, and resorts. Many include hot tubs, indoor pools, and saunas to make sure your stay is warm and memorable.
We look forward to another wonderful winter in Park Rapids, and welcome visitors to join us!