Discover Wadena County: Rivers, Forests, and History

Wadena County combines river landscapes, expansive forests, and unusual historic sites. Between walking trails, water activities, and designated trails for horses or motorized vehicles, you can shape your stay according to your own interests. If you are looking for a vacation rental or vacation home, you can therefore first decide whether nature, history, water, or active pursuits should be the focus of your trip.

Rivers, Trails, and Landscapes

Old Wadena Park is ideal for exploring on foot. It has walking trails and a pedestrian bridge over the Partridge River that leads to the Little Round Hill area. The Bogwalk in Old Wadena Park offers a unique perspective on the landscape: The trail passes through a wetland and combines exercise with educational impressions. For planning a day out, there is also a continuous trail between Cottingham Park and Bullard’s Bluff Park that is approximately 2.5 miles long.

The Crow Wing River also shapes the possible travel experiences. McGivern Park marks the end of the designated Crow Wing River Canoe Trail. At Huntersville Landing Campground, there is access to the Crow Wing River for swimming, fishing, and boating. McGivern Park features a mix of deciduous trees and pines. When choosing your accommodation, you can therefore weigh whether to focus on walks, water experiences, or a diverse forest landscape.

Forest and Active Excursions

Huntersville State Forest covers 33,964 acres and lies entirely within the coniferous forest biome. This makes it a distinctive landscape for trips in which the forest itself is meant to be an essential part of the stay. For horseback riding enthusiasts, Shell City Horse Campground is next to 24 miles of designated horseback riding trails. Those traveling by off-highway motorcycle will find more than 58 miles of off-highway motorcycle (OHM) trails in Huntersville State Forest. In addition, there are 3.6 miles of all-terrain vehicle (ATV) trails.

These different offerings do not automatically appeal to the same type of traveler, but they expand the possibilities when planning a trip. You can choose accommodation in Wadena County according to your preferred daily rhythm: nature walks, water activities on the Crow Wing River, horseback riding trails, or motorized trails each create a different focus. When searching, consider which experiences are important for your trip and which places you would like to include in your personal itinerary.

History and Community

The Old Wadena Historic District brings together several eras at one historic site. The area includes prehistoric Indigenous archaeological sites, fur-trading posts, and the ghost town of Old Wadena. Particularly striking is the connection to the site known as Old Wadena: The Red River Ox Cart Trail crossed the Crow Wing River there. Those interested in Indigenous history, early trade routes, or abandoned settlements can give this aspect greater weight when choosing a destination.

June Jubilee in Wadena offers a contemporary community perspective. The community celebration centers on connection, pride, and shared joy. It complements the historical and landscape impressions with a look at community life in the area. For additional guidance, you can also access Wadena.

The Right Accommodation Idea for Your Trip

Wadena County is well suited to trip planning in which the desired combination of forest, river, history, and activities matters more than any single attraction. For a stay involving a range of interests, combining walking trails, water access, and culture can be especially varied. If, on the other hand, you specifically want to go horseback riding or use OHM or ATV trails, this focus should already be taken into account when searching for a vacation rental. Maslowski Wellness & Research Center also has a zero-entry pool with a waterslide, offering another way to add a water experience to your trip itinerary.

Find more destinations for your search under Mower County, McLeod County, Chisago County, Todd County, St. Louis, Benton County and Carver.

For the broader travel overview: Minnesota.