Parks, Trails & Activities

Willmar Lakes Area Trail Quest

Access our interactive trail maps and plan your routes.

Glacial Lakes Trail

Hit the trail and have fun experiencing our rolling hills, prairie, wetlands and farm land!  This 18-mile trail starts at the Willmar Civic Center and ends at Kandiyohi County's northern border near Hawick.  Built on the old Burlington Northern Railroad bed, 13.75 miles are blacktopped for biking, roller blading and hiking between Willmar and New London.  This segment has a parallel grass treadway available for horseback riding.  From north of New London to Hawick is a 4.25 mile trail surfaced with crushed granite for hiking, biking and horseback riding.  The entire trail is open for snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. The trail goes through Spicer and New London.  Parking available.

The Glacial Lakes Trail connects to Sibley State Park via 3 miles of paved shoulder along County Road 148.  The trail also connects with many miles of groomed snowmobile trails in the Kandiyohi County Grant-in-Aid trail system.

Surface: Paved/some gravel
Map available.
Call 1-800-845-TRIP (8747)

Web Site (contains brochure/maps

Glacial Ridge Trail

This Minnesota Scenic Byway is a system of highways and county roads traversing Minnesota's most geologically significant areas formed by glaciers, which created our beautiful lake country. This well-signed Scenic Byway travels through the counties of Kandiyohi, Douglas, Pope and Swift. Road markers indicate natural history phenomena as well as sights relating to Native American and early European settlers.

Surface: Paved/some gravel. Detailed map available.
1-800-845-TRIP (8747)
Willmar, MN 56201
State Web Site

Trail Association's Web Site

Archery

Maybe you're Robin Hood, maybe you're Cupid, or maybe you're just looking for good, athletic entertainment. Test your strength, skill and accuracy at the archery ranges.

Little Crow Archery Club
435 Benson Avenue West
Willmar, MN 56201
Open 6:00-9:00 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Beaches

This is why people come to our lake country. It's the beaches with cool, pure water lulling sunbathers into blissful oblivion. It's kids and sand castles and teens and volleyball. It's the beaches!

• County Park Beaches - see Lakes Guide
• City Park - New London
• Robbins Island Park - Willmar
• Saulsbury Beach - Spicer
• Sibley State Park - New London

Big Kahuna Fun Park

Nestled near Green Lake in the heart of Spicer, Big Kahuna Fun Park offers 2 Go-kart tracks, Bumper Boats, Mini-golf and a PowerWheels course. Inside you'll find an Arcade with redemption prizes and a Subway Sandwich Shop. Young or old, we have something for those that are timid to those who like things extreme. Call ahead for weekend hours out of season.  Find more information at the Big Kahuna's web site.

190 Progress Way

Spicer, MN 56288

(320) 796-BIGK (2445)

Open 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. 7 days a week

Memorial Day through Labor Day

Biking

Biking is no doubt one of our nation's most popular activities. We're here to promote that trend with miles of biking trails.

Glacial Lakes Trail (see above)
Sibley State Park

Biking Motocross (BMX)

Today, the sport of bicycle motocross is sweeping the country and the world. There are more than 150,000 riders of all ages racing in organized races at permanent tracks across America. BMX racing is clean, exciting fun that whole families can get involved in whether as a racer, spectator, pit crew or track volunteer. BMX has something to offer everyone. Spicer BMX open April - October, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 3:30 - 9:00 p.m.

Birding

Birding site information was obtained from BIRDING MINNESOTA by Michael Strangis.

Birding areas noted by Strangis include :

• Sibley State Park
• Timber Lake Road
• Lake Monongalia
• Long Lake
• New London Fish Hatchery
• Regal Meadow Nature Conservancy Land
• Ordway Prairie
• Fort Lake Johanna Lookout

Sibley State Park is probably the best place in the county to look for Passerines, especially Warblers. Sibley was formerly a prairie ecosystem and several prairie remnants are kept intact by the park staff. Birding is as varied here as the habitat; you can find everything from Eastern Bluebirds and Field Sparrows to all the expected Woodpeckers. This is also a good location for Broad-winged Hawks, Cuckoos, Thrushes, Tanagers and Barred Owls.

Visit the DNR's Sibley State Park web site for events, maps, programs, reservations and more!

Birding web sites:

Minnesota Ornithologists' Union

Minnesota Birding Network (membership only)
Minnesota River Valley Birding Trail (Kandiyohi County information)

Fishing

Fishing is a way of life here and we're ready to share our numerous glacial lakes, bait and boats with you. Remember, the fish are always biting, but it's up to you to wet the hook. Choose from many lakes within Kandiyohi County.

Excellent fishing is found throughout Kandiyohi County. See the Lakes Guide for fish that can be found in the lakes around our county.

Area Bait Shops

• All Kandiyohi County Parks
• Area Campgrounds & Resorts
• Blomkest Bait Company, Svea - (320) 995-6525
• Brad's 71 Bait and Sports, Willmar - (320) 235-4097
• Eagle Lake Country Store, Willmar - (320) 231-9708
• Holiday Station Store, Willmar - (320) 235-0034
• J's Bait & Sport, Willmar - (320) 220-2248
• Mels' Sport Shop, Spicer - (320) 796-2421
• Pete's Surplus Store, New London - (320) 354-2626
• Skindelien's Bait & Tackle, New London - (320) 354-2423
• West Central Bait, New London - (320) 354-5533
• Fishing Guide Services
  • Daryl Deisting - (320) 382-6257
  • Duane Lobbins - (320) 354-4289 *including ice fishing house rentals
  • Jim Meder, West Central Guide Service - (320) 796-5266

Karting

Atwater Karting Speedway, Inc. is "Where Kids Get Hooked on Dirt."  About 75% of the racers are boys and girls between the ages of 6 and 15, with mom and dad typically making up the pit crew.  The AKS organization believes that kart racing offers a positive involvement alternative for kids during the influential years of their lives.  Races are held every Friday 7:00 p.m., May through August. 

Atwater Karting Speedway, Inc.

P.O. Box 121

Atwater, MN 56209

Greg Tauer (320) 974-8123

Wildcat Cove Playground - Spicer Downtown Park

The all new Wildcat Cove playground in Spicer's downtown park offers adventures for kids of all ages.  The playground includes a two-story boat, a fortress castle, treefort, watchtower, twisty slide, wavy slide, obstacle course, tire swing, rock wall, spider web, telephone system, misting doorway, drum and hanging xylophone.  The playground also includes an area for the younger children which includes a tot slide, ice castle, tot maze and fire engine.  No admission, open to the public.