Visit Park Rapids – Park Rapids, Minnesota
There are lots of lakes in Minnesota but when you are looking for lakes, a great bike and hiking trail, festivals, golf, and more then you want to visit Park Rapids. Northern Minnesota is epitomized by the landscape in Park Rapids. The lakes are beautiful, the people friendly and helpful and there something to do regardless of the time of the year.
You may want to take a hike or bike ride on the Heartland Trail which is a 49 mile paved trail which winds through lakes and forests from Park Rapids to Cass Lake. This is ideal any time of the year, in the winter get your cross country skis out and the rest of the year enjoy either hiking or biking along the trail. Enjoy seeing the natural beauty, the animals and listening to the silence afforded by nature.
If you think that a Minnesota winter means you have to stay inside you really need to visit Park Rapids with your snowmobile or skis and get out there! Groomed trails make the rides easy and fun. There is great dining in the area, there is a large number of wonderful resorts and lodges all waiting for you to come and be welcomed. Sit in front of a fire in a lodge, meet with friends, discuss where you are going to ride tomorrow and then get a great nights rest in the quite of the area.
Enjoy the contrast of time with the Main Street which is like a step back in time, but at the same time the technology available throughout the area which will keep you in touch with everything you want. You can fly into the international airport or drive from your home. You will find everything you want in Park Rapids.
Park Rapids is located near the Headwaters of the Mississippi River and Itasca State Park. Just 23 miles north of Park Rapids on US 71 you will be able to walk across the beginning of the Mississippi River which flows on a 2,552 mile trip to the Gulf of Mexico. This is a memory that your family will talk about for years.
Try canoeing on the Crow Wing River. The Fish Hook ad Shell Rivers in the Park Rapids area provide the access to the Crow Win River for your scenic route. You can go on for miles or you can take a shorter ride, depending on your desires and skills.
There are hundreds of species of birds, including the largest population of Bald Eagles in the lower 48 states. With thousands of acres of forest, hundreds of lakes, bogs and prairie to support the diversity of the birds you can spend many hours just enjoying the beauty they provide. Park Rapids is the Loon Capital of the USA. If you have never heard a loon you will certainly enjoy them, they are the state bird of Minnesota.
Just think of the wonderful fishing opportunities you have in the area with more than 400 crystal clear lakes, rivers and streams within 25 miles of Park Rapids. What ever you want to catch you will be able to find them in the lakes around Park Rapids. Are you a Muskie, walleye or northern pike fisherman? How about lake trout, bass, blue gills and other pan fish? There is nothing quite as wonderful as freshly caught Minnesota fish! The experience of catching a fish and bringing it in to clean and eat is one that every child should experience with their family. Then the guides can take the adults (and older kids) out to catch the big ones. What a fabulous experience.
Are you a rodeo fan? The Park Rapids is the place for you to be! The Annual Park Rapids PBR is well known and respected for bull riding where all star cast of the greatest bull riders and bucking bulls in the world participate. See how the cowboys hang on to the wild bucking bulls to win the prize of the day. This is certainly not a sport for the timid but it is something that you will enjoy watching.
All year Park Rapids offers you a wonderful get-a-way. Come, visit, who knows, you might end up never wanting to leave!
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