The southwest quadrant of the state is primarily agricultural, with miles of prairie land dotted with small towns and intriguing and even occasionally mysterious historic sites. The Minnesota River, which has its source in Ortonville on the South Dakota border, ambles southeast, until Mankato provides the literal turning point for a northerly twist to the Twin Cities. It’s an area of pioneers, Native Americans, wildlife, and history, including the Dakota Conflict of 1862, a time of great losses that is still remembered and memorialized today.
The attractions may be spread farther apart than they are in other parts of the state, but stops like Pipestone National Monument and the Jeffers Petroglyphs, state parks like Blue Mounds, towns entrenched in European heritage like New Ulm, and, of course, the pioneer appeal of Walnut Grove and the Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Highway have much to offer. As visitors come to the southwest corner of the state, they’ll discover more wide-open spaces than in other parts of Minnesota, as well as a geological feature known as the Coteau des Prairie, a ridge that runs from western Iowa to the northeast corner of South Dakota that is made up from the debris of glaciers that retreated centuries ago. The wide-open land is a stark contrast to the forests on the other end of the state and is home to what little native prairie remains in Minnesota. However, local communities in the southwest quadrant are starting to try to rebuild the prairie grasses and flowers that were once so dominant.
HISTORIC DOWNTOWN NEW ULM
GUIDANCE Albert Lea Convention and Visitor Bureau (507-373-2316 or 1-800-345-8414; explorealbertlea.org), 102 W. Clark Street, Albert Lea.
Le Sueur Area Chamber of Commerce (507-665-2501; lesueurchamber.org), 500 N. Main Street, Le Sueur.
New Ulm Convention and Visitor Bureau (507-233-4300 or 1-888-463-9856; newulm.com), 1 N. Minnesota Street, New Ulm. Offers extensive lodging and activity information for New Ulm and the Minnesota River Valley.
Worthington Area Chamber of Commerce (507-372-2919 or 1-800-279-2919; worthingtonmnchamber.com), 1121 3rd Avenue, Worthington.
Marshall Chamber of Commerce (507-532-4484; marshall-mn.org), 118 W. College Drive, Marshall.
Faribault Chamber of Commerce (507-334-4481 or 1-800-658-2354; faribaultmn.com), 530 Wilson Avenue, Faribault.
Greater Mankato Chamber of Commerce (507-385-6640 or 1-800-697-0652; greatermankato.com), 3 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 100, Mankato.
Western Minnesota Prairie Waters Regional Tourism (1-866-866-5432; prairiewaters.com), 323 Schlieman Avenue, Appleton. A good source for information in the Madison and Montevideo areas.
Pipestone Chamber of Commerce (507-825-3316; pipestoneminnesota.com), 117 SE 8th Avenue, Pipestone.
BLUE MOUNDS STATE PARK
Luverne Chamber of Commerce (507-283-4061; luvernechamber.com), 213 E. Luverne Street, Luverne.
Lake Benton Chamber of Commerce (507-368-9577; lakebenton.us), 106 S. Center Street, Lake Benton.
GETTING THERE By air: Commercial air service is available into Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport (612-726-5555; mspairport.com); there are regional airports, such as the one in Mankato, that offer private or corporate service.
By car: The primary routes in the southwestern part of the state, connecting Montevideo, Marshall, Pipestone, and Luverne, are MN 7 and MN 29 into Montevideo, US 212 from Montevideo to Granite Falls, and MN 23 from Granite Falls through Marshall to Pipestone, where US 75 travels south to Luverne.
From Luverne, I-90 travels directly east through Worthington, Fairmont, Blue Earth, and into Albert Lea, where it connects with I-35 heading north to Owatonna and Faribault.
West of Owatonna is Mankato, which is accessed by US 14 and US 169, as well as MN 22, MN 68, and MN 66. MN 68 travels west to New Ulm, while US 169 and MN 22 travel north to St. Peter. US 169 continues north to Belle Plaine. Before it reaches Belle Plaine, MN 19 travels east to New Prague. MN 13 travels south from New Prague to Montgomery.
MINNEOPA STATE PARK
GETTING AROUND Having a vehicle is a necessity when traveling around the southern prairie region.
WHEN TO COME The summer months see an influx of tourists who come to enjoy not only the wide-open prairies and vast state parks, but also the multitude of lakes and beaches. Summer isn’t the only popular time, however, especially for fishing enthusiasts who cast their poles in open water in summer and through holes in the ice in winter. Hunters and winter sports aficionados appreciate the fall and winter seasons as well.
MEDICAL EMERGENCY Call 911.
Chippewa County-Montevideo Hospital (320-269-8877; montevideomedical.com), 824 N. 11th Street, Montevideo.
Pipestone County Medical Center (507-825-5811; avera.org), 916 4th Avenue SW, Pipestone.
Mayo Clinic Health System Albert Lea (507-373-2384 or 1-888-999-2386; mayohealthsystem.org), 404 W. Fountain Street, Albert Lea.
New Ulm Medical Center (507-217-5000; allinahealth.org/new-ulm-medical-center), 1324 N. 5th Street, New Ulm.
Mayo Clinic Health System Mankato (507-625-4031 or 1-800-327-3721; mayohealthsystem.org), 1025 Marsh Street, Mankato.
River’s Edge Hospital (507-931-2200; riversedgehealth.org), 1900 N. Sunrise Drive, St. Peter.