Located in western Minnesota along the Red Lake River, Crookston is an endearing small city surrounded by plenty of natural beauty. The best way to explore this area is on a simple hike or bike ride. Fortunately, you’ll find plenty of nature trails around Crookston for hikers and bikers of all ages. When you’re ready to get outside and discover the scenery around Crookston, check out a few of these top nature trails – and then make sure to refuel at one of our favorite Thief River Falls restaurants!
Agassiz Recreational Trail
The Agassiz Recreational Trail is a 53-mile multi-use rail-trail that runs between Crookston and Ulen. If you’re starting the trail in Crookston, you can find parking at the intersection of Highway 9 and Highway 102. From there, you can head south on the natural-surface trail through scenic Minnesota farmland and sparsely wooded stretches. There are several creek and river crossings along the route, including the Mashaug Creek, Sand Hill River, Wild Rice River, and South Branch Wild Rice River.
You’ll also have an opportunity to pass through some small towns, such as Gary, Fertile, and Twin Valley. You might also spot some native wildlife along the trail. Deer, squirrels, and coyotes have all been known to frequent the area. The Agassiz Recreational Trail is open to hikers, bicyclists, horseback riders, and ATV riders in the warmer months, as well as cross-country skiers and snowmobile riders in the winter months.
Veterans’ Military Memorial Loop
You don’t have to go far to enjoy the scenic beauty around Crookston. In fact, you can visit the Veterans’ Military Memorial Loop, right in the city. This easy loop uses existing roads and sidewalks to make a walk that shows off the picturesque parts of the area. Locken Park is an excellent place to start. You can park near here and take the bridge over the Red Lake River. Once you reach the other side, keep following the sidewalk down East Robert Street until you reach Fairfax Avenue. You can then take Fairfax Avenue west to South Main Street.
Walking north along South Main Street will once again take you on a scenic stroll next to the Red Lake River. You’ll also enter Riverside Park. When you reach South Broadway, you can take the bridge across the Red Lake River and make your way back to Locken Park. Or you can cross the street and take a walk through the Wildflower Garden. This colorful green space is filled with diverse flowers that attract bees and butterflies. It also has many benches where you can sit down and relax, if you don’t want to be on your feet the whole time.
Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge
Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge is a large tract of protected land located about 16 miles southeast of Crookston. While the refuge started as 2,300 acres, it will eventually reach 37,756 acres in size. This will make it one of the largest wetland and tallgrass prairie restoration projects in the country. The purpose of the refuge is to conserve and restore land that’s vital to the wildlife in the area. It’s also a great place to get outside and explore nature.
You can find an information kiosk and a 0.5-mile walking trail in the refuge on Minnesota State Highway 32. This kiosk introduces you to the refuge and offers more details about other places you can explore. While you’re on the walking trail, keep an eye out for some of the refuge’s resident animals. In the sky, you might spot marbled godwits, sandhill cranes, and northern harriers. On the ground, you might glimpse a white-tailed deer and moose.
The Greenway
If you’re searching for an outdoor experience like no other, head about 25 miles northwest to Grand Forks, North Dakota, and check out The Greenway. The Greenway is around 2,200 acres of natural open space in Grand Forks and East Grand Forks, Minnesota. Along with a campground, several parks, three disc golf courses, two golf courses, and shore bank fishing spots, The Greenway has over 20 miles of multi-purpose trails that are just waiting for you to explore.
You’ll find walking trails on both sides of the Red River. You’ll also discover a series of trail entrances at various points along The Greenway. Most of these trail entrances have paved parking lots and a break in the floodwall or dike, so you can easily access the trails. Other amenities you’ll find at some of the trail entrances include restrooms, playgrounds, and picnic areas. A portion of The Greenway also runs through downtown Grand Forks, offering a fantastic way to explore the exciting attractions and events that the city has to offer.
Bottineau Trail
If you travel about 22 miles northeast of Crookston, you’ll discover the charming town of Red Lake Falls. The town is on the intersection of the Clearwater River and the Red Lake River, and it offers a variety of nature trails you can explore. One popular option is the Bottineau Trail. This 3-mile rail-trail was named for Minnesota frontiersman Pierre Bottineau.
Riverside Park is a convenient place to enter the walking and bicycling trail because it’s about halfway between the northern and southern terminus and offers plenty of parking. The park also has a picnic area, water, restrooms, and camping.
If you start here and head north, you’ll cross the Clearwater River over a 467-foot historic Warren pony truss bridge that was built in 1915. From there, you’ll travel through a wooded corridor before crossing the Red Lake River and, finally, reaching the northern terminus. If you head south, you’ll travel through Red Lake Falls and follow the Clearwater River before reaching the southern terminus at Oak Knolls Golf Club.
Contact Rydell Cars in Grand Forks
At Rydell Auto Group, we love to go for walks and explore the area on these best nature trails around Crookston. We would love to hear about the nature trails in the area that you enjoy and what you like to see when you’re on them. Please be sure to contact us and let us know!
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