Recreation

The Minnesota and Chippewa Rivers join at Montevideo to provide some of the most impressive landscapes in Southwestern Minnesota. A gentle river, the Minnesota is seldom interrupted by rapids. The Minnesota is one of the few canoeable rivers in Southwestern Minnesota with the best canoeing occurring during high water time each spring. A map of the entire Minnesota River, showing campsites, rest areas and rapids may be obtained from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources by calling 1-800-766-6000.

Lac Qui Parle State Park

Located 12 miles Northwest of Montevideo on Chippewa County Road 13 and Lac Qui Parle County Road 33, Lac Qui Parle State Park was formed by receding glaciers throughout the region. Natural dams were created resulting in wide lakes along the length of the Minnesota River.

Lac Qui Parle, "the lake that speaks," was originally the name of a band of Wahpeton Dakota, who established a village along the banks of the Minnesota River hundreds of years before the arrival of white people. They hunted the valleys and prairies, cultivating fields of corn, beans and squash.

In 1826 a trading post was established by Joseph Renville, an explorer and fur trader. In 1835 a mission was built to teach Christianity, American Culture and agriculture to the Indians. Although the mission closed in 1854, it served as the location of the translation of the Bible into the Dakota language.

Today, a wood chapel, constructed as a WPA project, stands on the original adobe site.

Lac Qui Parle State Park is located west of the Mission site. 56 semi-modern campsites are available for park visitors. Facilities for hiking, swimming and horseback riding, along with boat and canoe access' to the river are also available. Approximately 50,000 people visit the 530 acre park each year.

Lac Qui Parle State Park is open year round and has snowmobile and cross country ski trails for winter fun. For more information contact the Lac Qui Parle State Park at 320-752-4736.

A Hunters Paradise

Lac Qui Parle Wildlife Management Area is a 27,000-acre area, located north and west of Lac Qui Parle State Park. An attractive headquarters building houses a small museum and a staffed information center.

Bird watchers and nature observers visit the area each year, enjoying the native prairie grasses, flowers and the abundance of song birds and waterfowl which use the Wildlife Management Area for a nesting and migratory stopover. The habitat of wetlands, brush lands, woodlands and native prairie combine to provide cover for birds and small game. Abundant wildlife can be seen almost anytime of the year.

Lac Qui Parle is best known for hunting. As many as 150,000 Canadian Geese migrate here for their yearly stopover. Most are part of the Eastern Prairie population which nests near the Hudson Bay area during the summer and winter in Missouri's Swan Lake Refuge.

Deer, duck and pheasant are also in abundance at Lac Qui Parle. Fox, squirrels, raccoons and rabbits are also hunted. Trapping of muskrat, mink, fox, raccoon, and beaver is allowed with proper permits. A wild turkey flock is growing each year.

Lac Qui Parle also provides year round fishing excitement, stocked with crappie, northern pike, white bass and walleye.

Permits are required to hunt, fish and trap in the Wildlife Management Area. Contact the Lac Qui Parle Wildlife Management Area at 320-734-4451 for further information.

Western Minnesota Prairie Waters www.prairiewaters.com

“Where the Prairie Meets the River”

Montevideo is located in the central portion of a six county region promoted by Western Minnesota Prairie Waters. Explore the prairies and rivers and learn about the culture, festivals and recreational opportunities that the Montevideo area has to offer.