Winter Adventures in Otter Tail County

Article by Jenna Kvidt, Photos by Micah Kvidt

Once the snow starts to fall and the lakes freeze over, Otter Tail County, MN becomes a winter wonderland. As much as we enjoyed the autumn season this year, we are ready to embrace the cold and soak up all of the winter adventures Otter Tail County has to offer. There are many winter activities that we are looking forward to this season, so grab your parka and follow along as we prepare for a winter full of outdoor adventures!

Snowshoeing and Hiking

One of the quickest and easiest ways to get outside and enjoy the winter is to put on a pair of boots and go for a hike. And, when the snow gets too deep or if you want to go off-trail, getting a pair of snowshoes is a great way to explore! We always love hiking and snowshoeing our way through winter, and Otter Tail County offers plenty of opportunities and locations for both. Head to the trails at Maplewood State Park or Glendalough State Park for a wide variety of snowshoe and hiking trails. Some other fantastic spots to hike: the Vergas Trail in Vergas, the 10-mile segment of the North Country National Scenic Trail in Fergus Falls, or the network of parks and trails in Perham. The Prairie Wetlands Learning Center in Fergus Falls also offers off-trail paths for snowshoers (and cross-country skiers) and groomed trails for hikers. Black’s Grove Park on the east side of Otter Tail County is another great option. The dense woods and towering white pines offer a unique experience.

Ice Skating

One of my favorite winter activities is ice skating, even though I’m about as graceful as a baby deer. Typically, several towns in Otter Tail County open ice skating rinks in the winter. Some of the towns that have had skating rinks in the past are Parkers Prairie, Pelican Rapids, Perham, and Fergus Falls. We aren’t sure which rinks will open this year, but if there isn’t one open near you, head to a lake and clear off a patch of ice. Just be sure to bring your skates and double check the thickness and quality of the ice first! 

Ice Fishing

The lakes may freeze over during the winter, but that doesn’t mean the fishing stops! With more than 1,000 lakes in Otter Tail County, ice fishing is one of those things you just have to try. I have to admit, I had never been ice fishing until a few years ago, which seems crazy considering I grew up in Minnesota. Thankfully, I finally made the trek out onto the ice to give winter fishing a try. I’m so glad I did–it was a blast! We can’t wait to get out ice fishing again this year.

There are plenty of ways to get your fish on—you can opt for anything from fishing without a shelter all the way to a decked-out house with beds, heaters, and maybe even a TV. Plus, if the fish aren’t biting, starting up a card game while you wait is a great way to pass the time! If you don’t have your own gear (or know someone who does), you can hire a guide to take you out or rent an ice castle from an operator like Meister Guide Service. Some years a local bar, Hillbillies, even opens up the “Ice Hole Bar” on Lake Lida. 

Cross Country Skiing

Cross country skiing may be harder than it looks, but that doesn’t make it any less fun! You can find a variety of cross country ski trails throughout Otter Tail County, which makes the area a wonderful spot to hit the trails whether you are new to the sport or not. We haven’t been cross country skiing since we were kids, and we are itching to give it another try this year.  

There are several places in Otter Tail County where you can find groomed cross country ski trails. Spidahl Ski Gaard, located in Erhard, has 24 km of groomed trails. Maplewood State Park , Glendalough State Park and Black’s Grove Park offer cross country ski trails, as well.

Snowmobiling

With over 600 miles of snowmobile trails, Otter Tail County is a great place to bring your sled. And if you don’t have your own snowmobile, there are plenty of places to rent one! The vast trail system works its way through the woods, fields, next to lakes, and even through towns. You can really get almost anywhere with a snowmobile in Otter Tail County. We are lucky to have a few snowmobiles in our family, and even though we don’t go out regularly, it’s an activity we look forward to every year. There’s nothing quite like flying through the snow on a gorgeous winter day!

Warming up with Hot Drinks

In my humble opinion, one can’t endure winter without some toasty warm beverages to go along with it. One of our favorite ways to stay warm is to sip on delicious coffee drinks, hot chocolate, and warm baked goods. Luckily, there are many fantastic coffee shops in Otter Tail County. Some of our favorites to stop at are The Nest, The Muddy Moose, The Williams Company Store and Deli, Sunroom Coffee, The Gathering Grounds, Otter Coffee and Ice Cream, and Perks Coffee and Tea. Whether we are in the mood for black coffee or a fancy specialty drink, all of these shops have us covered time and time again.

Exploring Parks

I know I’ve mentioned Maplewood State Park and Glendalough State Park a couple of times already, but they are both beautiful locations for a wide range of winter adventures. You can spend time hiking/snowshoeing along the trails, you can go ice fishing on the frozen lakes, you can go fat tire biking, or you can even go camping in a cabin (Maplewood) or yurt (Glendalough). Black’s Grove Park is operated by the City of Wadena, but is located in Otter Tail County. This park is a hidden gem within the county, but well worth a visit.

The scenery at the parks is spectacular year-round, but they certainly hold a special, irresistible magic in the winter!