Biking, Hiking, & Walking Trails in Otter Tail County, MN
Written by Jenna Kvidt, photos by Micah kvidt
Otter Tail County offers a wide range of trails to explore via bike or on foot. This past year we had the opportunity to get out in nature and find as many trails as we could! We loaded up our bikes and strapped on our hiking shoes and set out to explore. We found many multi-use trails that are paved, unpaved, in state parks, next to lakes, through towns, and deep in the woods. Each trail offers a unique look at the communities and the nature throughout all corners of the county. Read on to learn more about the trails in Otter Tail County that we were able to explore!
Vergas Long Lake Trail
The Vergas Long Lake Trail starts just outside of town, and it’s a great walking trail to get some fresh air and a dose of nature. Eventually, the route will be extended to connect downtown Vergas to Long Lake and beyond. We jumped on the trail in Vergas Park and walked along the boardwalk that runs over the waters of Long Lake. The boardwalk provides a beautiful vantage point of the lake and wildlife nearby.
After crossing the boardwalk, we continued towards the Hanson Memorial at the far end of the Long Lake boat access parking lot. Then, we continued down the path that locals call “Tin Can Alley”. This portion of the trail is roughly a half mile long and it follows the edge of the lake. We happened to time our walk to coincide with sunset, and it was a gorgeous sight to see!
Perham Trails
Perham is home to a variety of trails that are perfect for both walking and biking around town. Most of the 5+ trails are interconnected and run through Perham’s neighborhoods, parks, wildflower prairie grass, and downtown. One of our favorite trails was the Arvig Trail because of its tree covered paths and open-aired, sunny parks. Another path we enjoyed was the Wildflower Trail near Perham Health as it has beautiful prairie grass and wildflowers.
Inspiration Peak Trail
Inspiration Peak is located about five minutes from Urbank and 20 minutes from Parkers Prairie in southern Otter Tail County. The hiking trail up Inspiration Peak is a quarter mile long, and it involves a lot of stairs and some steep sections on the trail. Once you reach the top, you will find an overlook that provides sprawling views of the trees, lakes, and farms below.
A fun fact about this spot is that Inspiration Peak is the highest point in Otter Tail County, and it is also one of the highest points in the entire state of Minnesota. Its elevation is 1,750 feet and the peak rises 400 feet above the surrounding land. The trail is beautiful any time of the year, but if you time it with the peak fall colors, it’s a sight to behold!
Trails at Maplewood State Park
No matter the season, Maplewood State Park is a wonderful place to enjoy a wide range of activities, two of which are biking and hiking. There are roughly 30 miles of hiking trails throughout the park.
Some of the hiking trail highlights are the Grass Lake Trail, the Woodland Trail, the Cataract Lake Trail, and Hallaway Hill Trail. The hike up Hallaway Hill has long been one of our favorites, especially during the fall. This 0.5-mile (one-way) trail provides spectacular views overlooking South Lake Lida, as well as rolling hills filled with maple trees below. If you are looking to bike in the park, a mountain bike is a good idea as there are 9 miles of trails along the township’s gravel roads to explore.
Trails at Glendalough State Park
Glendalough State Park offers plenty of adventures to get a dose of nature, including both hiking and biking. There are plenty of different trails to pick from in Glendalough State Park, such as the Prairie Hill Interpretive Trail, the Savanna Trail, the Sunset Lake Trail, and the Ice Ridge Trail to name a few.
There is also a 5.4-mile paved loop trail that is open for both bikers and hikers, and it passes through a hardwood forest, prairielands, and alongside two different lakes. This trail in the park connects to an even longer trail called the Glendalough Trail, which is an 11.8-mile loop that runs all the way into town and back. If you don’t have a bike to bring with, you can rent one from Galloping Goose Rentals, either in town or at the state park.
Prairie Wetlands Environmental Learning Center Trails
If you are looking for an abundance of both nature and wildlife, the trails at the Prairie Wetlands Environmental Learning Center are a great choice. The center consists of 325 acres of native wetlands and prairies, and they offer educational opportunities and interpretative programs for all ages. There are 3.5 miles of hiking trails, and the wetlands are a great place for birdwatching and wildlife sightings.
North Country National Scenic Trail
The North Country National Scenic Trail is a 4,600-mile-long non-motorized footpath trail that spans from North Dakota to New York. A portion of the route runs right through Otter Tail County. While much of the trail is currently scenic roadwalks mainly for long-distance hikers, there are a couple off-road portions of the path to explore, as well. Hikers can head to Maplewood State Park for a 2.8-mile path that starts at the Trail Center and runs through to the Maplewood Church. There is also a 10-mile segment of the route in Fergus Falls. This portion of the path will take you past places such as the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center, Delagoon Park, the Central Lakes Trail and the Riverwalk in downtown Fergus Falls.
Central Lakes Trail
The Central Lakes Trail is a 55-mile-long trail in Minnesota that runs from Osakis to Fergus Falls. Built on an abandoned railroad corridor, the trail passes through several towns, and offers beautiful nature and scenery along the way.
We brought our bikes to Fergus Falls and jumped on the trail at the Central Lakes State Trail parking lot off of Highway 210. It was great to check out the Fergus Falls portion of the trail. And to add to the fun, there was even some giant, interactive art at the starting point.
Parkers Prairie Trail
The bike path in Parkers Prairie is a paved 10-foot-wide path that connects the southside of town to Lake Adley Park. It is accessible to both walkers and bikers, and we especially enjoyed the portion of the trail that goes through the trees and next to the lake. Lake Adley Park offers lakeside picnic shelters, campsites, a grill, playgrounds, restrooms, running water, a fishing pier, and a boat launch. Riding bike is a convenient and fun way to get between town and Lake Adley Park!
Riverwalk in Fergus Falls
Located right in downtown Fergus Falls, the Riverwalk runs from Union Ave to Veterans Memorial Park. The walking trail follows the river, and along the path you will find interpretive signs showcasing the buildings and history in the area.
Also, don’t miss the colorful murals under the Union Ave bridge. The Riverwalk is a peaceful nature trail in a convenient location!
Ottertail Trail
The bike path in Ottertail conveniently connects the “old” part of town with the stretch of Ottertail situated along Highway 78. In addition to bikes, the path is also open for pedestrians and inline skaters. Clocking in at just over 1.5 miles, the trail isn’t exceptionally long, but it does make for a great afternoon ride, especially if you want to stop by the otter statue and explore all the town has to offer!
Pelican Rapids Walking Path
The walking paths in Pelican Rapids give you routes throughout town that cover one to three miles in distance, and you can also bike the paths if you wanted, as well. The paths are a mix of paved trails, sidewalks along main street, and quiet residential streets. You can walk just one route or combine a couple of them to get in more miles. The routes intersect at different points throughout town, so you can switch up your direction whenever you feel like it.
If you are in Otter Tail County, you have plenty of options for both hiking and biking. So, be sure to hit the trails and enjoy all the nature the area has to offer!
