Lake Country Scenic Byway near Snellman
A deer wades in a pond near Akeley
Eel Pout
Ice Fishing
Contact Information
Lake Country Scenic Byway
PO Box 249Park Rapids, MN 56470
Hwy 34 E from Detroit Lakes to Walker. Hwy 71 N from Park Rapids to Itasca State Park
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About
The headwaters of the Mississippi River in Itasca State Park are a Minnesota Mecca, but this lake-splashed area has loads of other worthy attractions, from lodges and resorts with inviting restaurants, to excellent bird watching, golfing, miles of hiking and biking trails, art galleries, music festivals and road-side diners.
Approximately 3 ½ hours north of the Twin Cities, the 88-mile Lake Country Scenic drive travels a segment of Minnesota's Pine to Prairie Birding Trail, and also connects three "anchor" towns: Walker, Park Rapids and Detroit Lakes.
Itascaand the Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge are good places for bird watching. Visit a small art museum in Park Rapids and a gallery of Indian art in Detroit Lakes. There are hundreds of lakeside resorts and campgrounds.
Dates
Visitor Center located on Hwy 71 South in Park RapidsOpen 24/7Rates
Lodging packages and hot deals available at www.parkrapids.com;www.visitdetroitlakes.com;www.leech-lake.com
More Information
Length
- 88 miles
Route
- Hwy. 34 between Detroit Lakes and Walker, and a spur north from Park Rapids to Itasca State Park on Hwy. 71.
Scenery
- Pine-hardwood forest and numerous lakes, interspersed with meadows and farmland.
Green Practices
- Air quality improvements
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Park Rapids Lakes are is a Green Region. Most of our Resorts, Motels, B&B's,restaurants and businesses use green practices as does Itasca State Park, Tamarac National Wildlife refuge and the Chippewa National Forest.
- Eco-friendly landscape/facility design
- Eco-friendly purchasing practices
- Energy efficiency/conservation
- Organic or local food & beverage choices
- Transportation-related policies or programs
- Waste reduction/reuse/recycling
- Water conservation/wastewater management plan
Attraction Attributes
- Can accommodate groups of 45 or more
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What's Nearby
Mentioned In
A couple explores the hills and river bluffs around Red Wing by motorcycle / Roy Son
Crossing the Mississippi Headwaters at Itasca State Park is a tradition for many in the Park Rapids area / Democratic Travelers
Take a scenic loop on Wilderness Drive around Itasca State Park