A second snowmobile, built in 1956, marks an early point in Polaris’s development. In contrast, the Lake Agassiz exhibit at the Roseau County Historical Society and Museum reaches much further back—to glacial melt, beaches and the history of Roseau Lake. Together, these subjects open up different layers of time.
History in Exhibits and Buildings
In its Lake Agassiz exhibit, the Roseau County Historical Society and Museum explores the melting of glaciers, the beaches formed by Lake Agassiz and the history of Roseau Lake. The museum also displays fossils from the county and beyond. The story therefore spans everything from the formation of the landscape to finds from the region and other areas.
The 5,600-square-foot Polaris Experience Center presents the company’s history and development. It traces the journey from the second snowmobile, built in 1956, to later innovations such as ATVs, side-by-side vehicles and motorcycles. During regular production, free factory tours are offered to the public Monday through Friday at 2 p.m. Check tour times again before your trip.
Roseau Pioneer Farm and Village adds restored buildings to these themes. They include a one-room schoolhouse, a print shop, a general store and a church. The school, print shop and store represent different everyday functions; the church adds another type of building to the collection. This offers a different kind of historical perspective from the Polaris Experience Center: buildings rather than product development.
Forest Landscapes and Trails
Lost River State Forest is characterized by flat, swampy terrain. Lowland forests of black spruce and tamarack predominate, with deciduous forests on higher ridges. For nature lovers, the relationship between landform and forest type offers a tangible way to experience the character of the landscape.
At Hayes Lake State Park, two trails are easy to compare by their layout. The Homestead Trail is a 2.4-mile loop that passes the Hendershot homestead and several gravesites. The Pine Ridge Trail is almost the same length at 2.5 miles, but it is one-way. If you’re choosing between the two, their layouts are a more notable difference than their slightly different lengths.
The park also has seven miles of horseback riding trails that run through the park and into Beltrami State Forest. For route planning, this is a different type of trail from the two described above: here, the focus is on the riding trail network, not on comparing a loop with a one-way route.
Winter Trails and Local Traditions
Roseau County has more than 300 miles of marked and groomed snowmobile trails. In addition, open off-road routes connect other places and state forests. Grooming and conditions vary seasonally, so check current conditions if you’re planning a ride.
The Roseau Marketplace is scheduled for every Thursday from June through October in 2026, offering local produce and crafts. Check seasonal dates before your trip. Roseau County’s county fair tradition also has a long history, dating back to 1906. Here, landscapes and trails meet exhibits, historic buildings and local traditions—with different subjects to explore.
Discover more destinations: Roseau, Warroad, Chickasaw County, Cottonwood County, Beltrami County, Lake Of The Woods County, Otter Tail County, Cass County
For the main travel overview: Minnesota.
