17 Fun Things to Do in Park Rapids, MN (2023)

Looking for things to do in Park Rapids, MN for your next visit?

Park Rapids, Minnesota is one of many Minnesota locals’ favorite small towns to visit for a summer vacation, weekend getaway, or just a stop while on the road.

There are so many great places to eat, shop, and get outside.

My family is from Park Rapids, so I’ve had lots of great experiences exploring the adorable, little town, and I want to share them with you!

Fun Things to do in Park Rapids, MN

There are so many fun activities in this gem of a town.

Between local shops, delicious restaurants, and outdoor activities, Park Rapids is a town for all seasons.

1. Visit the Mississippi Headwaters at Itasca State Park

Itasca State Park in Park Rapids is home to the headwaters of the Mississippi River, out of Lake Itasca. This is actually Minnesota’s oldest state park!

Here you can see where the great Mississippi River starts before it flows through the United States, on its way to the Gulf of Mexico.

The park is located about 30 minutes north of Park Rapids, making for a great day trip.

You’re able to walk into the river and cross the “bridge” made of rocks. There may be people wading in the water, as the water is fairly shallow.

There are also many miles of biking and hiking trails throughout Itasca State Park.

Purchase an annual Minnesota state park pass here to visit the headwaters.

2. Enjoy Some Homemade Fudge at Aunt Belle’s Confectionary

A personal favorite thing to do in Park Rapids is to make a stop at Aunt Belle’s Confectionary.

With a wide selection of homemade chocolates, caramels, and fudge, you can never go wrong making this your stop for dessert.

Aside from the homemade chocolates, there also are tons of your favorite gummies, hard candies, and more.

You’re even able to watch as they make the candies by hand in a large, copper kettle, right in the front window.

Aunt Belle’s is located right on the corner of Main Street. You can’t miss it as you drive through town.

3. Have Breakfast at the Rapid River Logging Camp

The Rapid River Logging Camp is more than just eating breakfast. It’s really quite the experience and is one of the best places to eat in Park Rapids.

This fantastic one-of-a-kind experience opens starting Memorial Day weekend and closes Labor Day weekend.

Wander around the property and see some of the equipment that was used in the logging days by lumberjacks.

After you’ve experienced what the old logging days were like, head into the Cook Shanty for a meal cooked for the appetite of a hard-working lumberjack.

Served family-style, enjoy all-you-can-eat of some of the best breakfast foods.

Be sure to come hungry, and be prepared to leave very full!

4. Check out the Heartland State Trail

The Heartland State Trail is a 49-mile paved multi-use trail that stretches from Park Rapids to Cass Lake.

In the summer, the trail is used for hiking, biking, and rollerblading.

In the winter, snowmobilers and cross-country skiers put the trail to use.

If you’re from out of town, head to Northern Cycle for a wide selection of bike rentals.

5. Shop on Historic Main Street

Park Rapids’ Main Street is rated as one of the most magical streets to visit in Minnesota.

So quite obviously, you can see that stopping by is one of the best activities when you’re in town.

There are a plethora of cute shops and restaurants to explore, many of which are locally-owned businesses, giving you the perfect opportunity to support small.

Several events also take place throughout the year such as parades and sidewalk sales.

In the winter, a giant tree is placed in the center of Main Street and is lit for the Christmas season.

Even just a stroll down Main Street is worthwhile in Park Rapids because you never know what you’ll find!

6. Watch a Movie at the Old Park Theater

If you’re looking for what to do in Park Rapids while you stroll down Main Street, stop in and catch a movie at the historic Park Theater.

The theater originally opened in 1940 and it’s been owned by the same couple for 48 years.

The original marquee still stands, and you surely won’t miss it!

There are only 2 theaters inside, so only 2 movies play at a time. Because of this, you’ll have to be sure to plan your viewing early!

And to keep the classic, old-fashioned feel, credit cards are not accepted. So be sure to bring cash when you arrive!

7. Visit the Restaurant Capital of the World

Dorset is a small town located about 10 minutes east of Park Rapids.

Known as the “Restaurant Capital of the World,” if you’re a foodie, you won’t leave disappointed.

The town received this name because of the number of restaurants located on just one street. There isn’t much else to Dorset besides eat!

Most of these shops are open seasonally for the summer, so May through October are typical open months.

If I were to choose, I would say that Companeros Mexican Restaurant wins the prize for the best place to eat in Dorset.

8. Bring Out the Kid in You at Evergreen Fun Park

Do you ever wish that you could just go back in time and be a kid again?

Well, do I have good news for you! At Evergreen Fun Park, you CAN be a kid again!

Fun activities like rock climbing, go-karts, mini-golf, and bumper boats are just a few of the ways to have a good time here.

Escape rooms have become increasingly popular in recent years, and Evergreen Fun Park also features one for you to test your skills!

If you’re looking for what to do in Park Rapids with kids, this is the perfect option.

9. Spend a Week at a Resort on the Lake

In the summer, tourists and locals alike flock to resorts to spend time on some of Minnesota’s 10,000 lakes.

And one of the best ways to enjoy Park Rapids is to stop at one here!

There is a large selection of lakeside resorts nearby that are perfect for a week’s stay.

Little Norway Resort is located just about 20 minutes north of Park Rapids on Little Mantrap Lake (just a few minutes from Itasca State Park!).

Here you’ll find a sandy beach, complete with lounge chairs as well as paddleboards, kayaks, a canoe, and paddleboats, all free to use.

I’ve been able to spend several summer days on Little Mantrap Lake, and it really is a beautiful resort.

Other great resorts include Breezy Point and Edgewood Resort, each of which has great outdoor activities in Park Rapids.

10. Try out the Thrilling Character Challenge Course

Looking for a thrill when visiting Park Rapids?

Check out the Character Challenge Course Company (also known as the C4), an aerial adventure park.

With several packages to choose from, the C4 has something for adventure seekers of all kinds.

Fun things to do include the ropes course, Leap of Faith, above-ground obstacles, and a zip line.

11. Get Outdoors at Two Inlets State Forest

Two Inlets State Forest near Park Rapids is a fantastic place for outdoor lovers to experience some of Minnesota’s beautiful nature.

In the summer, spend time hiking on the 4 miles of trails, or set out for some dispersed camping.

Boating and fishing are also available on Hungry Man, Cedar, and Two Inlets Lakes.

Many people also choose to hunt deer, ruffed grouse, and small game in the hunting seasons.

In the winter, enjoy Park Rapids on the 27 miles of snowmobile trails. Other local trails are connected, allowing you to branch off and ride longer.

12. Recreate on One of the Nearby Lakes

Of course, we know that there is no shortage of water in Minnesota.

So even if you aren’t able to spend an entire week at a resort on the lake, you can still get in your time on the water.

There are boat launches on many of the lakes, including Two Inlets Lake, Potato Lake, Big Sand Lake, Little Mantrap Lake, and more.

In the summer, take a boat out and fish, swim, or waterski. Or, fish off the dock. Launch a kayak, canoe, paddleboard, or paddleboat.

The wintertime brings a frozen lake and allows visitors to ice fish.

This can be done just a short distance from the shore or by going out further on the lake with a nice, warm ice house.

13. Spend a Summer Day at the Fair

The Hubbard County Fair is held in Park Rapids for 5 days every August.

If you’re visiting in the summer, consider planning a visit and experiencing a Minnesota county fair.

There will be plenty of your favorite fair foods to eat, rides to enjoy, animals to visit, games to play, and booths to explore.

This is one of the best activities for your kiddos during a Park Rapids summer.

Certain days may have special events to participate in as well as a few days with live music to enjoy.

Every Independence Day, enjoy Park Rapids by attending its spectacular fireworks display and parade.

14. Experience a Drive-In Restaurant at A&W

Drive-in restaurants are hard to come by, but in Park Rapids, visit the A&W to get that awesome old-time drive-in experience!

Stay in your car and allow the employees to come to you as they take your order and deliver the food right to your window.

Plus, you can enjoy a mug of their freshly made ice-cold root beer.

This is quite the experience to have and is a must-do when visiting Park Rapids.

What to do in Park Rapids, MN in the Winter

Though most things on this list are done best in the summer, there are still many activities to keep you busy after the snow flies.

15. Go Snowshoeing

A classic Minnesota activity to still get outside, even when it’s cold out is hitting the trails for a bit of snowshoeing.

Those who love hiking in the summer will surely love snowshoeing in the winter because it allows you to still get out on the trail.

Bundle up, strap on the snowshoes, and head out to Itasca State Park for some fun in the snow.

Or, check out the Soaring Eagle snowshoe trails, which are located just a bit north of Park Rapids.

16. Try Out Cross Country Skiing

Cross-country skiing is another great way to get out on the trails when they’re snow-covered.

You can also ski at Itasca State Park, as they have many groomed trails to check out.

The Soaring Eagle trail system also has many cross-country ski trails which are also groomed and ready to be used this winter.

If you aren’t quite up for cross-country skiing but would rather go downhill, Detroit Mountain is a great downhill ski resort located about 45 minutes away.

17. Check Out Snowmobile Trails

For those who like a bit of adventure during the winter, you’ll love checking out some of the snowmobile trails in Park Rapids.

The Forest Riders Snowmobile Club trail system has over 250 miles of trails around the Park Rapids area.

You can also ride on the Heartland Trail in the winter, which has 49 miles of trails to explore.

When Should I Visit Park Rapids, MN?

Park Rapids exhibits typical Minnesota weather for most of the year, with warm summers and cold winters.

In the summer, you can expect temperatures ranging from 65 degrees F to 85 degrees F and sunny skies.

In the winter, temperatures will average around 25 degrees F, sometimes dipping below 0, with an average of 45 inches of snowfall per year.

Typically, the best time to visit Park Rapids is between June and August.

These are the warmest months and will allow you to get outside and experience the most.

But even though the winter months are definitely colder, there are still plenty of activities in Park Rapids, MN to keep you busy.

Where to Stay in Park Rapids, MN

When you’re ready to call it a day and need to rest for the night, book a stay at one of these places in Park Rapids.

C’Mon Inn: This basic hotel is found right in town and has a pool, free breakfast, and an indoor hot tub.

Red Pine Ridge Cabin: This beautiful cabin is located just 5 minutes from Potato Lake and has a sauna to relax in.

Best Restaurants in Park Rapids

Park Rapids has many small, local restaurants for visitors to try, many of which I’ve personally tried and loved.

Companeros in Dorset is always my reigning favorite with delicious Mexican food and a mean fried ice cream and oreo mudball.

The 1950s-themed Minnesoda Fountain is another favorite, serving yummy subs and ice cream on Main Street.

Rocky’s Pizza is another great place to eat, serving delicious homemade pizza, found right in downtown Park Rapids.

What is Park Rapids, MN Known For?

There are many things that Park Rapids is known for, but it’s mostly for its beautiful scenic areas and fantastic Main Street.

Nearby, you’ll find the Mississippi Headwaters and plenty of forests, lakes, and trails to explore and get outside on.

Main Street is the perfect place to shop, eat, and just wander around to see what you can find around town.

FAQs

The Wrap-Up: Things to do in Park Rapids, MN

As one of the most adorable small towns in Minnesota, there are plenty more activities in Park Rapids than people think.

Whether you have a full week or just a couple of hours to spend here, there are many fun things to do in Park Rapids, MN that will allow you to have a fun-filled day!