Murray: Discover Trails, Lakes, and History

Loop trails around lakes and marshland, a paved trail, railroad history, and recurring festivals give a trip to Murray a variety of possible focuses. You can combine short walks with visits to historic sites or plan around golf and events. Which places you include depends on what you want to experience during your stay.

Hiking between islands, prairie, and lake

At Lake Shetek, the Loon Island Trail crosses a causeway to one of five natural islands. The one-mile loop is accessible and paved with gravel; along the way, you’ll find a variety of plants and birds. The Webster Island Trail is a 1.5-mile loop through prairie and along the shore of Webster Marsh. Both trails offer manageable distances and different landscapes.

The Lake Elsie Walking Trail in Slayton is 1.2 miles long. Another option to consider is the six-mile paved section of the Casey Jones State Trail between Lake Shetek State Park and Currie. Horses are not allowed on this specific section. The trail connects tallgrass prairie, wooded ravines, and Lake Shetek. The different distances and trail features help you choose hikes that fit your daily plans without treating the routes as equivalent.

Lakes, recreation, and golf

At Seven Mile Lake in Fulda, there are camping facilities and picnic areas. Seven Mile Lake Park has a swimming beach. Lime Lake Park Campground is located on Lime Lake, with access to fishing around the dam. These offer different ways to spend time by the water while planning your trip: a day of swimming, a picnic, or fishing.

Fulda Town & Country Golf Course is a regular 9-hole course with a par of 36. Its length from the back tees is 3,319 yards. The course has a driving range and a clubhouse where golfers can buy snacks and drinks. If golf is part of your plans, the course details and available practice facilities offer specific guidance for this part of your stay.

Railroad and regional history

Tours at End-O-Line Railroad Park & Museum last 45 to 60 minutes. The park grounds are accessible daily during daylight hours, even when the buildings are normally closed. This distinguishes a guided tour from a visit to the grounds: the stated duration applies to the tour, while the grounds have separate access information.

In Currie, the hand-operated Railroad Turntable was built in 1901; it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. The Dinehart-Holt House is also connected with the town’s history: it was added to the National Register in 1982 for its local significance in connection with Christopher and Flora Dinehart and for its architecture. The house combines Queen Anne style features with elements of the Stick Style. Those interested in historic architecture can find both a railroad artifact and an example of two architectural styles combined here.

The Murray County Historical Museum displays more than 10,000 artifacts and presents the region’s history from the Paleo-Indian period to the present. The complex includes four buildings or structures. Slaughter Slough is associated with the Battle of Slaughter Slough, one of the conflicts that became known as the Dakota Conflict of 1862. Together, these topics offer different ways to explore regional history: from the museum’s broad time span to a specific structure and a historic conflict.

Festivals and culinary traditions

The Murray County Fair has been held annually since 1912, with two exceptions. Pulled pork, pork burgers, and hog troughs are among the fair’s culinary traditions. Malts prepared by the Murray County Dairy Association are also part of the traditions described. Offerings and flavors may vary from year to year.

Fulda hosts its annual Wood Duck Festival in June. The program includes picnics, a parade, a fair, and music and talent performances in the park; dates and programming may vary from year to year. If attending a festival is central to your stay, check the dates and program for that year before making plans.

Choose your hotel location based on your travel plans

Whether you mainly want to hike, visit historic sites, play golf, or attend a festival, first decide which activities matter most to you. You can use this to guide your search for a hotel location based on your travel plans.

Discover more destinations: Lake Wilson, Hadley, Kanabec County, Carver, Mille Lacs, Anoka, Benton County, Olmsted.

For the broader travel overview: Minnesota.