Finding Outdoor Fun in Fergus Falls
by Steve Heriot
Are you an outside person looking for something new to do in the great outdoors? Let’s take a quick look at a few of the many outdoor recreational opportunities available in the Fergus Falls area.
Perhaps you are fascinated by birds? Have you ever wanted to know more about their habits or range, or what their songs might mean? ‘Birding’ is sort of like a scavenger hunt! All you need are a pair of binoculars, a field guide, and a little time to spend outdoors. Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place for bird watching; Fergus Falls is the anchor for the 200-mile Pine to Prairie Birding Trail. The trail stretches north to Warroad, traveling through diverse terrain and habitat. The trail extends another 300 miles north of Minnesota into Manitoba. A trail guide is available at the Chamber of Commerce and can be downloaded online at MNBirdTrail.com.
Fans of mountain biking will be happy to know that Ferber Park offers mountain bike trails, a section of the North Country Scenic Hiking Trail, eight acres of prairie grass and pollinators, and attracts bikers, hikers, bees, birds and butterflies! The trails are open from sunup to sundown, and are located in the northeast corner of the city. It is a primitive park with a few parking spots, a bike rack and information kiosk. More trails are planned for the future.
Have you ever wanted to try disc golf? For a minimum investment in a couple of discs, you can enjoy one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States. According to the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) there are more than 5,000 courses and more than 3,000 PDGA sanctioned tournaments in the U.S. annually. Delagoon Park in Fergus Falls features a scenic, 27-hole course that is moderately hilly and wooded. There are signs at each tee, new rubber tee pads, and sturdy baskets. The course is family-friendly and features long and short tees on every hole. Wetland hazards create a challenging experience on the course, which also meets PDGA standards for sanctioned tournaments. Follow “Delagoon Disc Golf Course” on the UDisc Golf app for tournament information and course updates.
Traditional golf enthusiasts can play the Pebble Lake Golf Course, which offers 18 holes and 6,780 yards of championship golf with rolling terrain, tree-lined fairways, and fast greens. The layout offers multiple challenges, yet has five sets of tees to suit every level of golfer. In addition, the course features a full-service practice facility, pro shop, nostalgic clubhouse with deck, event space and bar.
With 29 official city parks in Fergus Falls there are a variety of spaces to enjoy and places to explore. Built in 1908, Broken Down Dam collapsed in September 1909 and is now a ruin on the Otter Tail River, east of town. Improved trails and parking make access to the site an easy hike from the top. Fishing, swimming and kayaking are popular from the water.
Whether your interests are in fishing, hunting, swimming, boating, hiking, biking, birding, golfing or just relaxing and enjoying the scenery, the Fergus Falls area has countless activities to enjoy in our great outdoors.
