The center point of north-central Minnesota, Park Rapids is abundant with natural beauty, outdoor adventures, and a relaxed charm.

With over 400 lakes in the region, hiking, cycling, numerous events to explore, and its close proximity to Itasca State Park, Park Rapids is a perfect retreat for a few hours or a few days. Add to that an inviting small town ambiance and the good eats found in the area, and you may want to stay even longer.

Things to do in and around Park Rapids

Go shopping in Downtown Park Rapids

Small town America is alive and well in Park Rapids. With a downtown district filled with cute shops and an abundance of friendly locals, Park Rapids is a great spot to spend an afternoon browsing the specialty shops and boutiques filled with gifts, fashion, antiques, and more.

One foot in the door at Molly Poppin’s and you know you won’t be leaving anytime soon. The aroma is, well – I bet I gained weight just inhaling. Then you taste the samples and it’s all over, as bags of deliciousness fly into your arms and out the door with you.

Moving down the street, we spent the rest of our time in the quaint town exploring all the shops and dining options, having a thoroughly entertaining and casual afternoon on one of America’s classic main streets.

Visit Dorset, the “Restaurant Capital of the World”

Every visit to the Park Rapids area must include a lunch or dinner at the nearby “Restaurant Capital of the World,” Dorset, Minnesota. Home to 22 people and 5 restaurants, Dorset lays claim to the title, with the restaurant per capita ratio being 1 restaurant to 5 people.

We dined at Dorset’s Italian option, La Pasta – a lovely lunch and the breadsticks were out of this world.

But, before lunch, we had a tour of the town with the mayor, James Tufts, and his older brother and former two-term mayor, Bobby Tufts, who now serves as the town’s ambassador (you may have seen them on the Today Show and in other national news).

Elected at the age of three, as was former mayor Bobby, it’s safe to say that Dorset has a unique political system. Quirky, fun and definitely not to be missed, Dorset is so deserving of the hashtag #OnlyInMN. Learn more about our visit to Dorset, Minnesota »

Hike or bike the Heartland State Trail

While in Dorset, we noticed an awesome bike and hiking path passing through the town.

The Heartland State Trail is a 49 mile, paved multi-use trail reaching between Park Rapids and Cass Lake and was one of the first rail to trail conversions in the United States. The flat trail runs along the abandoned railroad the entire distance except for a four-mile segment that uses a roadway north of Walker. 49 miles of paved bikeway? Sweet – we’ll be back.

Cross the headwaters of the Mississippi at Itasca State Park

Itasca State Park is a nature paradise just 26 miles from Park Rapids. The 32,000 acres of soaring pines and over 100 lakes are reason enough to visit, but it is also home to the Mississippi Headwaters. Truly a cool adventure – learn more about Itasca State Park »

Attend Legends & Logging Days each August

Get your plaid shirt ready and head to Legends and Logging Days each August in Park Rapids. A summer festival that includes Lumberjack action, Water Wars, Chainsaw sculptors, music, food and much more, it’s fun in the summer and a celebration of the rich heritage of the region.

Spend some time on one the area’s 400 lakes

No time in Minnesota, the land of 10,000 lakes (which I hear is actually 11,842), is complete without some time on the water and there are plenty of opportunities near Park Rapids. A wonderful spot for family vacations, the Park Rapids Lakes area offers a chance to explore the pristine lakes of Minnesota and engage in the water sports that abound in the region. Climb aboard a speedboat, kayak, paddleboat, or pontoon for a sunset cruise or spend the day on the water fishing for your own aquatic adventure.

Know before you go

Location

Park Rapids, Minnesota is 186 miles northwest of Minneapolis-St Paul and 85 miles east of Fargo, North Dakota.

Climate

July is the warmest month in Park Rapids with average daytime highs of 82°F / 28°C and average lows of 56°F / 13.5°C. January is the coldest month with average daytime highs of 17°F / -8°C and average lows of -21°F / -6°C.

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Disclosure & disclaimer: Special thanks to Explore Minnesota and the Park Rapids Chamber of Commerce for hosting us as their guests. The opinions expressed are entirely our own. Reviews are based only on our assessment and we accept no responsibility for how the information is used. We do not accept paid posts although some posts may contain information regarding businesses where we have previously been compensated.