Willmar between railroad history and lakes

In Willmar, cultural and historical attractions sit alongside opportunities to enjoy the water and trails. The Kandiyohi County Historical Society welcomes visitors to its museum gallery, research library, and historic buildings. Other attractions include the Glacial Lakes State Trail, Robbins Island on Foot Lake, and the Dorothy A. Olson Aquatic Center.

First, decide whether history, outdoor activities, or water will be the focus of your stay.

Museums and Railroad History

The grounds of the Kandiyohi County Historical Society are also home to Great Northern Railway Engine #2523, one of the attractions visitors can see. The Depot & Museum is closely connected to railroad history: its main building is the original Great Northern Railway depot from Kandiyohi. It was built in 1900, moved to its current location in 1967, and incorporated into the museum in 1969, when it officially opened as the museum’s main building.

The exhibits cover more than transportation history. Their topics include artifacts from Indigenous American communities and a historic horse-drawn fire engine. The museum brings together the history of the building, early transportation history, and a variety of historical objects. Visitors with a particular interest in railroads and regional history will find several points of interest here, rather than just a single exhibit.

Robbins Island and the Lakes

Foot Lake is in Willmar; Robbins Island Regional Park is on its eastern shore. The wooded island covers 55 acres. Robbins Island has hiking and biking trails, as well as the Willmar Destination Playground. There is also a public boat access to Foot Lake in Robbins Island Regional Park.

Foot Lake is connected to Willmar Lake by an elevated connecting channel. This connection makes both lakes suitable for kayaking. The same water area thus offers a range of options: trails and a playground on Robbins Island, public boat access to Foot Lake, and kayaking on the connected lakes.

The Glacial Lakes State Trail

The paved section of the Glacial Lakes State Trail offers a longer route. It is 22 miles long and runs between Willmar, Spicer, New London, Hawick, and the border between Kandiyohi and Stearns Counties. Knowing the distance can help with planning if you want to make the trail a focus of your stay.

Trail access in Willmar includes a parking area at the Civic Center. It can be reached via Highway 12, County Road 9, and a two-mile access road. This lets you distinguish between access in Willmar and the route of the longer paved section described above when planning your visit.

Swimming and Event Dates

The Dorothy A. Olson Aquatic Center in Willmar has two water slides and a shallow-entry play pool with interactive features. The pool has a maximum water depth of 18 inches. There is also a six-lane leisure pool with a depth of 3 to 5 feet, as well as a 12-foot climbing wall at the poolside. The different pool dimensions make the distinction between the shallow play area and the leisure pool clear.

Willmar Fests may also be relevant to your travel plans: the festival takes place annually. The 2026 event was held from June 24 to 28; if you want to attend a later edition, check its dates when planning.

Discover more destinations: Spicer.

For the broader travel overview: Kandiyohi County.