Pelican Rapids: Parks, River, and Pelican Pete
Accommodation in Pelican Rapids
The Pelican River is at the heart of several experiences in Pelican Rapids: you can explore parks along the river, cross a suspension bridge, or take a paddling trip into downtown. There’s also Pelican Pete, a striking figure with a history. If you’re looking for a place with things to do on foot, on the water, and in winter, you’ll find a range of activities here that are easy to tell apart.
Parks along the Pelican River
In the eastern part of Pelican Rapids, two larger parks sit along the Pelican River: E.L. Peterson Park and Sherin Memorial Park/Campground. A footpath connects the two via a large suspension bridge. This lets you combine a walk between the parks with a river crossing; the bridge is a distinctive part of the route. Pelican Pete is located in E.L. Peterson Park, bringing the riverside parks and the well-known figure together as part of a visit.
If you’d rather plan a break by the water, you can visit Veteran’s Memorial River Park as a place to relax and enjoy the river. Thompson Memorial Park offers something different: it has a modern playground and a soccer field. These specific amenities may be important when choosing family activities, but they should not be confused with the riverside parks.
Pelican Pete: A landmark overlooking the dam
Pelican Pete is 15.5 feet tall and was built in 1957. The figure stands in E.L. Peterson Park and looks toward the Mill Pond Dam on the Pelican River, just outside downtown Pelican Rapids. Its size, location, and orientation give a visit a specific connection to this place: Pelican Pete is not just a name, but a large figure facing a particular way toward the river landscape. If you’re interested in local landmarks, you can include this stop in a visit to the park.
On the water or along the Heart of the Lakes Trail
Pelican Paddle Company offers an approximately 1.5-hour paddling trip on the Pelican River. It runs from the access point at Prairie Lake to downtown Pelican. A boat, paddle, and life jacket are provided; the price is $16 per person plus tax. The duration, starting point, endpoint, and included equipment make this a clearly defined way to experience the river on the water.
The Heart of the Lakes Trail connects Perham, Pelican Rapids, and Maplewood State Park via a footpath. This experience differs from the paddling trip: the focus here is a walking connection between three named places. During the winter months, snowmobiling is permitted on certain sections of the trail. This permission applies to specific sections, not the entire route. If you’re considering winter activities, keep this distinction in mind when planning.
Which stay suits your interests?
If you’d like to explore more places: Fergus Falls, Parkers Prairie, Ottertail, Perham.
For the broader travel overview: Otter Tail County.
