More than 27,000 acres of lakes define Todd County. The landscape also shifts: in the east, forest meets the western prairie. Exploring the region, you’ll encounter this variety in different places—on waterways, in parks and in museums. The Sauk River State Water Trail begins at Lake Osakis. The Long Prairie River was designated a state water trail in 2001.
Lakes, Trails and Parks
The Lake Wobegon Trail can also be described with specific place details. The section in Todd County is 7.6 miles long and runs through West Union, then south to the Stearns County line. In downtown Osakis, the Osakis Visitors Center is next to the trail; visitor parking is available at the center. Since parking options may change, it’s a good idea to check them again before you arrive.
On a peninsula in Lake Osakis, you’ll find Battle Point County Park. The park has boat access to the lake; access conditions may change. Dower Lake Recreation Area offers nature trails and 20 modern campsites with electrical hookups. If you plan to camp there, check campsite availability before your trip. Another type of water access is available in Reynolds Township: there’s a canoe access point to the Long Prairie River, and you should check its access status in advance.
Bass Lake has a concrete boat ramp and a fishing pier. The access is marked as accessible; you should check the conditions on site again before you arrive. Parks in Long Prairie offer different highlights: Riverside Park combines a historic walking tour with WPA ruins. Lake Charlotte Park has a swimming beach and facilities for volleyball, basketball, pickleball and softball. Harmony Park offers walking paths and features three mosaic artworks. Pine Grove Park in Staples showcases a forest of white and red pines. The Living Legacy Garden at the Central Lakes College Ag Center is a public garden; confirm visiting conditions before you arrive.
Local History in Homes and Collections
The Christie Home Museum is a house built in 1901 in the Queen Anne style and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2006. The Todd County Historical Museum is located on the former site of the Winnebago Indian Agency. One room in the museum is an old one-room schoolhouse—a concrete glimpse into an earlier form of education.
Smaller collections each have their own focus, too. The Bertha Museum is housed in a bank building dating from 1904. Its displays include records from the former Bertha Hospital and bound editions of the Bertha Herald. The Eagle Bend Museum has hundreds of artifacts, including a hammer made from wood from an old school desk that Senator Hubert H. Humphrey returned. The Clarissa Museum, meanwhile, contains materials on the community’s early history. Together, these places don’t make up a single, uniform museum visit, but offer several different ways to explore the county’s history: through buildings, newspapers, objects and local memories.
Traditions with Their Own Rhythm
The Todd County Fair began in 1883 and grew into a community tradition. It is considered a celebration of heritage and progress. The program includes a rodeo, demolition derby, carnival rides and live music; the specific offerings may vary from year to year. If you’re traveling for a particular event, check the dates and lineup for that year’s fair.
A smaller tradition is the Clotho Ice Cream Social. It is associated with the first Sunday in August and is held near Clotho United Methodist Church. Confirm the annual details before planning your trip. Whether you’re interested in local history, parks or waterways, Todd County offers a range of topics to explore independently.
Discover more destinations: Long Prairie, Rock, Cass County, Pipestone County, Houston County, Hennepin, Nicollet County, Roseau.
For the main travel overview: Minnesota.
