Discover Polk County

Explore Polk County through a range of themes: natural areas and outdoor trails sit alongside regional history, art, and a culinary event. When planning your trip, you can give different weight to nature observation, activities on paved trails, and cultural offerings.

Natural Areas and Habitats

Rydell National Wildlife Refuge protects about 2,200 acres of grassland, wetland, and forest habitats. The Tamarac Lake Trail circles Tamarac Lake and includes an accessible fishing pier. This means you can enjoy a designated loop trail and a specific fishing spot, as well as views of the different habitat types.

At Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge, prairies and wetlands attract numerous unusual bird species. Species that can be seen there include prairie chickens, grasshopper sparrows, and western prairie fringed orchids; their presence may vary seasonally. To observe prairie chickens, you can reserve a viewing blind through the Crookston Chamber of Commerce. Reservation options and seasonal viewing dates may change. Check them if wildlife observation is an important part of your plans.

Red River Valley Natural History Area encompasses about 85 acres of prairie, aspen woodland, cottonwood woodland, willow swamp, and cattail marsh. Nature trails pass through the different habitats. Educational groups can experience the local plants and wildlife; their visits must be arranged in advance. The Agassiz Environmental Learning Center in Fertile combines natural history and conservation education with outdoor recreation and environmental education.

Trails and Outdoor Activities

The geopoints on the East Grand Forks Walking Tour can be reached by car or bicycle. This gives you two options to consider for reaching the tour stops. In Fosston, the Fosston FIT, or Fosston Inspiration Trail, is a growing system of paved trails for walking, cycling, and running. Two loops have been completed: one around the cemetery and one near the softball complex. The information about the activities and loops can help you choose between a walk, a bike ride, and a run without treating the trails as identical.

History, Art, and Regional Culture

The Polk County Museum is housed in the Polk County Courthouse, built in 1899. The original judge’s bench and courtroom are preserved in the building. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on March 9, 1982. At the Polk County Historical Society & Museum, a ground-floor exhibit features prehistoric bison bones; other exhibits cover Indigenous peoples of the Americas, the military, outdoor recreation, and a pioneer town.

The East Polk Heritage Center preserves artifacts, memorabilia, and photographs, as well as stories about people who settled in the region in the late 19th century. Its campus in Melland Park includes four historic buildings. The L. W. Larson House is open for tours during the winter months; the two cabins and the schoolhouse are open for tours during the summer months. Check the dates before your trip if you would like to visit one of the buildings on a guided tour.

The Aurora Center for the Arts operates, among other facilities, the Sorenson Gallery, a theater, classrooms, studios, offices, and rehearsal spaces at the Fosston Library & Arts Center. Exhibitions by regional and local artists at the Sorenson Gallery typically change every two to three months. The usual rotation schedule can help you plan a gallery visit around changing art exhibitions.

Taste of Crookston is a culinary event held as part of Ox Cart Days. Local vendors sell food, and visitors vote for their favorites. Event details are seasonal; check the dates if the event is to help determine when you travel.

Discover more destinations: Crookston, East Grand Forks, Fosston, Brown County, Chisago County, Rock, Becker County, Crow Wing County.

For the broader travel overview: Minnesota.