Hop In Your Car And Take Minnesota River Valley National Scenic Byway For An Incredible 287-Mile Scenic Drive In Minnesota
By Betsy Rathburn|Published June 16, 2021
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Betsy Rathburn
Author
Betsy is a Minneapolis-based writer who's lived in Minnesota for 20 years. If you know of any amazing Minnesota restaurants, nature areas, or other attractions, feel free to let her know about them at brathburn@onlyinyourstate.com or on Twitter @betsyrathburn.
Minnesota is full of beautiful attractions. You can take unforgettable excursions to waterfalls, forests, and lakes – to name a few. These destinations are all wonderful, and every Minnesotan should do their best to seek them out. But sometimes, the adventure is more about the journey, and it can be much easier to plan a trip if you don’t have to get out of your car. That’s where one of Minnesota’s many scenic byways come in, including the one we’d like to introduce today. The Minnesota River Valley National Scenic Byway is a 287-mile journey through southern Minnesota. It’s full of gorgeous landscapes, charming towns, and many fun stops when you need to stretch your legs. Hop in your car and follow this byway for an unforgettable trip through Minnesota. Read on below to learn more about the byway:
The Minnesota River Valley National Scenic Byway is a 287-mile route through southern Minnesota. With beautiful scenery, charming towns, and plenty of historic sites, it's a great way to see some lesser-visited places in Minnesota.
The route runs from Minnesota's western border - starting in Browns Valley - to the small town of Belle Plaine, just southwest of the Twin Cities. It makes for a great weekend adventure, full of charming towns, beautiful landscapes, and historic sites.
Along the way, there are many opportunities to enjoy the river that gave the route its name. The river is easy to spot from the car. But even when you can't see it, the low hills, grasslands, and forests that make up the Minnesota River Valley are absolutely stunning.
At Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge, you can catch glimpses of the Minnesota River tucked away into a beautiful forested landscape. If you're lucky, you'll spot the abundant wildlife that lives here.
There are also state parks along the route that offer many other beautiful views and recreational opportunities. Lac Qui Parle State Park, pictured below, features a lovely lake. Other state parks along the way include the well-known Flandrau and Minneopa State Parks, as well as lesser-known Fort Ridgely, Upper Sioux Agency, and Big Stone Lake.
Beyond the roadside and state park views, there are also many lovely towns along the byway. Granite Falls is a tiny town that offers an interesting glimpse of the Minnesota River in the form of a rushing dam.
Larger towns also offer plenty to see. For example, New Ulm is full of historic charm. Take a tour around town to see the glockenspiel, the Hermann Heights Monument, and more.
If you're curious about seeing some of Minnesota's lesser-known historic places, this byway provides plenty of places to check off your list. The Birch Coulee Battlefield was the site of a battle of the 1862 U.S.-Indian War. You can also visit local history museums, old villages, and many other interesting places.
You can even take a peek into the lives of some of Minnesota's famous people! The Minnesota Inventor Hall of Fame shows off some of our state's contributions to the world. The Betsy-Tacy Houses in Mankato preserve the life of famed Minnesota author Maud Hart Lovelace!
The Minnesota River Valley National Scenic Byway offers so much to do that you could easily spend a weekend – or more – exploring it! Have you ever traveled along it? For more information about the route, including maps, attractions, and more, visit its website and Facebook page. And if you’re looking for a shorter – but still gorgeous – adventure, consider heading up north to follow the 57-mile Gunflint Trail.
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