Things to Do Along the Lake Country Scenic Byway
When forests are lush and summer hits full throttle, lakes are the big lure for Minnesota's aptly named Lake Country Scenic Byway. Approximately 3 ½ hours north of the Twin Cities, the 88-mile drive travels a segment of the Pine to Prairie Birding Trail, and connects three "anchor" towns: Walker, Park Rapids and Detroit Lakes.
From small-town surprises to the Mississippi Headwaters, here’s what you can find along the Lake Country Scenic Byway.
Look for Trolls in Detroit Lakes
Start at Detroit Lakes with its mile-long beach and incredible Thomas Dambo Trolls scattered throughout the region. In May, the Festival of Birds celebrates the 250 species that may be seen in the area thanks to the town's unique location at the convergence of tallgrass prairie, hardwood and coniferous forests. Take a hike or drive through Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge while heading east on Highway 34.
Country music fans know the area well. Detroit Lakes draws top acts for WE Fest and crowds of up to 50,000 fans every August. On the other end of the byway, Walker's Moondance Jam throbs with four days of classic rock. Both events rank among the biggest and best music fests in the country.
Find more things to do in Detroit Lakes.
Stroll Down Park Rapids' Charming Main Streets
Park Rapids is one of Minnesota’s most popular main streets. Park Rapids is an ideal place to take the kids. Visitors can park in the middle lane of the bustling downtown to explore boutiques, cafes, a dime store, a candy shop, and an old-fashioned soda fountain. See summer shows at the nearby Long Lake Theater, opera and popular musicals at Northern Light Opera Company, or musical tributes at Jasper's Theater. In August, hear the buzz of saws and thud of axes as world champion loggers compete at the Legends and Logging Festival.
In winter, snowmobile trails thread through Itasca and the entire Lake Country Area. The Heartland State Trail, running 49 miles between Park Rapids, Walker, and Cass Lake, becomes the winter highway for snowmobilers. It also connects to the 100-mile Paul Bunyan State Trail, making it possible to zip north to Bemidji or as far south as the Brainerd Lakes area.
Hit the Headwaters of the Mississippi River
Detour north on Highway 71 to enjoy Minnesota's oldest state park and one of its largest, with 32,000 acres and more than 100 lakes. Itasca State Park's biggest attraction is its humblest: the chance to walk across the small stream that starts the Mississippi River on its 2,553-mile journey to the Gulf of Mexico. Over 500,000 people visit Itasca State Park every year to dip their feet into the headwaters of the mighty Mississippi River. You can stay within the park at Douglas Lodge, cabins, or the hundreds of campsites.
During the winter, grab a set of Nordic skis to glide along groomed trails that wind through Itasca's deep-green forest and across blankets of brilliant white snow. You can also rent snowshoes and blaze your own way through the woods. On-site modern lodging and kitchens make it easy to nestle in for a relaxing winter weekend.
Revel in the World's "Restaurant Capital"
Back on Highway 34, take a spin through Dorset, one of Minnesota's tiniest towns and the self-proclaimed "Restaurant Capital of the World" due to having four restaurants in a town of just 22 people. Some popular spots are La Pasta Italian Eatery, 218 Venture Bar and Eatery, Dorset House, Companeros Mexican Restaurant, and Dorset General Store. You will also find charming shops like Dorset Books and Candy Shack, North Woods Trading Post, and the Dorset Minnesota Trading Post.
Like many tourist destinations in Minnesota, a paved bike trail helps pull visitors away from the highway and into town. In Dorset’s case, it’s the Heartland State Trail, which opened in 1977 and has been a constant source of hungry visitors ever since.
The town has also made national news for its unorthodox mayoral elections. At the annual Taste of Dorset festival, visitors can spend $1 to enter the mayoral lottery with hopes of winning the coveted (and completely symbolic) “Mayor of Dorset” title. Previous winners have included Bobby Tufts, who served two terms as mayor at ages 3 and 4, and his little brother, James, who served just one term at age 3.
Walk Around Walker and Leech Lake
Walker's downtown bustles with boutiques, restaurants, bait shops, and outdoor stores, fitting every vacation speed from sporty to laid-back. Stroll down to the city pier and gaze across Leech Lake, Minnesota's third largest. Classic lakeside resorts like Bayside Resort, Trapper’s Landing Lodge, Horseshoe Bay Lodge, and Chase on the Lake are found on the shore of Leech Lake and hundreds of other lakes on the byway.
Heading east toward Walker, the Lake Country Scenic Byway winds into the Chippewa National Forest. Its hilly Shingobee Recreational Area, thick with tamarack and pine trees, is a favorite destination for cross-country skiers in winter. Its steepest hill was once a downhill ski run and is now one of the state's biggest sledding hills. A historic warming house is a good place to rest before making the steep climb back to the top.
For many decades, ice anglers and others in search of a good time have converged on Walker for fun on the ice during the winter. While it's best known for an ugly bottom-dwelling fish called eelpout, the walleye population is as strong as ever on Leech, and there's plenty of big perch, too.
