7 Great Fall Hikes
By Your Inner Otter
Imagine crisp air on your cheeks as you walk along a nice meandering trail. Leaves of red, yellow, orange, brown and green dangle from the trees and are scattered on the floor of the woods. Otter Tail County, MN is a great place to take in all autumn has to offer. Here are 7 great fall hikes to help you find your inner otter.
Maplewood State Park – Pelican Rapids, MN
Located roughly 10 miles southeast of Pelican Rapids, MN along scenic State Highway 108, Maplewood State Park is one of the area’s most popular destinations. In the fall, the hilly terrain comes alive with color. At roughly 9,000 acres, Maplewood is the 7th largest state park in Minnesota. There are 25 miles of hiking trails in the park and 20 miles of horseback riding trails. The park is known for its hardwood trees including sugar maple, basswood, and oak. These trees make for great leaf peeping in September and October.
Hallaway Hill
No visit to Maplewood State Park would be complete without hiking to the top of Hallaway Hill. This 1/2 mile stretch brings you to an elevation of 1,480 feet. There are benches along the way to help you take a break and take in the views. At the top of the trail an overlook area provides a panoramic view of lakes, hills and trees. Here is a link to a map of Maplewood State Park.
Glendalough State Park – Battle Lake, MN
One of the great things about Otter Tail County, MN is the diversity of landscape. Glendalough State Park can be considered as the place where the prairie meets the woodlands.This hilly, lake-strewn, and partially wooded countryside is an excellent setting for all your autumn activities. There are 9 miles of hiking trails within the park. There are also some smooth paved bike trails. Here is a link to a map of the park. If you are looking to put on some miles, the Glendalough Trail connects the park to the City of Battle Lake.
Inspiration Peak – Parkers Prairie, MN
About 15 miles west of Parkers Prairie you will encounter a collection of glacial features known as the Leaf Hills. Inspiration Peak, a state designated wayside, is nestled in the area and is one of the highest points in Otter Tail County. There is a 3/4 mile trail from the parking lot to the top which rises to 1,726 feet. This is 400 feet above the surrounding countryside so the trek can be a bit of a workout. Some of the best sight lines in the area can be found here because of the elevation. The vista was well-known to Sinclair Lewis. who wrote, “there’s to be seen a glorious 20-mile circle of some 50 lakes scattered among fields and pastures, like sequins fallen on an old paisley shawl.” Lewis chided Minnesotans for not knowing the “haunts of beauty” in their own back yards.
North Country Scenic Trail – Fergus Falls, MN
Fergus Falls features a 10-mile segment of the North Country National Scenic Trail, a footpath that extends 4,600 miles from the East Coast through North Dakota. The Trail offers scenic family-friendly hiking opportunities through prairies, woodlands, and neighborhoods. Popular locations to access the Trail from Fergus Falls include Red Sox Park, One Mile Prairie, Delagoon Park, Prairie Wetlands Learning Center, and Veteran’s Park. You can learn more about trails in Fergus Falls by clicking here.
Long Lake Trail – Vergas, MN
The Long Lake Trail was completed in summer 2020 and connects downtown Vergas to Loon Lake and beyond. You can start your trek at the worlds largest loon on the north side of Long Lake and take the boardwalk. From the vantage point of the boardwalk, you will be able to see sprawling vistas of Long Lake. Since the trail runs along the eastern shore of Long Lake, if you time it right, you can take in a sunset during your stoll.
Black’s Grove Park – Wadena, MN
In the eastern portion of Otter Tail County exists a place that very few people know about. As a result, you can feel like you have the place to yourself when traversing the thick woods. Black’s Grove Park is maintained by the City of Wadena and is a favorite for mountain bikers and hikers alike. Fall is the perfect time to visit Black’s Grove because it can be way less buggy. There is a lot of towering white pines in the park as well as a very nice log building that can be rented out. For more information click here.
Hidden Trails walking path – New York Mills, MN
Located on the south edge of New York Mills, MN is a trail perfect for a stroll in nature. The Hidden Trails walking path runs by South Main Avenue and there is a park with a playground, basketball hoops, and picnic shelter nearby.
There are many other places for you to take a hike this fall throughout Otter Tail County. If you would like to explore more parks and trails in the area, click here.