Summer is quickly approaching in Minnesota!
Here in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, we know how to make the most of our limited months of warm weather out on the lake. Although there are countless beautiful places to go across the state to enjoy summer, here in Park Rapids, we have several special things to boast that you can’t find anywhere else!
What are these Park Rapids specialties?
Photo by: Explore Minnesota Tourism
Visit Itasca State Park
One of the biggest draws to the Park Rapids area is Itasca State Park, the oldest, grandest, and one of the largest state parks in Minnesota. Here, you will find the headwaters of the Mississippi, some of the most scenic camping in northwest Minnesota, more than 28 miles of hiking trails, an abundance of wildlife, and so much more.
To enhance your experience of this breathtaking place, the park offers narrated boat excursions to learn more about the history and wildlife in the area. If you enjoy music, be sure to visit the park on a weekend to catch the weekend summer concert series “Music Under the Pines”!
Cast Out a Line
Whether you are a hardcore fisherman or just like to get out to enjoy nature, you’ll want to do some fishing up here! There are over 400 pristine fishing lakes, rivers, and streams to explore within the 3 million acres of public land that surround the Park Rapids area. You can even access weekly fishing reports to help you decide where to fish.
Try Your Hand at Water Sports
One of the best parts about summer in Minnesota is the enthusiasm for getting out on the water in any way that we can! Water sports are one of the most fun and exciting ways to do so. Whether you want to rent canoes, kayaks, or paddleboards, or you want to bring your boat out on the water it’s all possible here! You can get out on the Mississippi River, the Crow Wing River (which meanders for 90 miles before joining up with the Mississippi), or any one of the hundreds of lakes in the area to ski, tube, wakeboard, kneeboard, paddleboard, and much more!
As you can see, Park Rapids has a lot of fun on the water to offer during the summer! It’s a friendly place with an abundance of natural beauty. To learn more about lodging options click here and for more information on the Park Rapids area, click here.