Pelican Rapids: Parks, River, and Paddling

Pelican Rapids offers several distinct points of interest to consider when planning your trip: parks along the Pelican River, a pedestrian connection across a large suspension bridge, and the Heart of the Lakes Trail. There is also a paddling tour with an approximate duration and specific details about equipment and price. This makes it easy to plan your stay around the activities you want to enjoy—from visiting individual parks and connecting several places to a water excursion with a defined approximate duration.

Parks along the Pelican River

E.L. Peterson Park and Sherin Memorial Park/Campground are two of the larger parks along the Pelican River in the eastern part of Pelican Rapids. A pedestrian path connects the two via a large suspension bridge spanning the river. Together, the parks offer a specific destination for anyone looking to include a walk and time by the river in their plans.

Pelican Pete is located in E.L. Peterson Park. Built in 1957, it stands 15.5 feet tall and faces the Mill Pond Dam on the Pelican River, just outside downtown Pelican Rapids. The park thus connects the river setting with a distinctive local landmark: Pelican Pete’s orientation toward the dam provides a clear local point of reference for visitors.

Other parks offer their own features. Thompson Memorial Park has a modern playground and a soccer field. Veteran’s Memorial River Park is a place to relax and enjoy the river. When choosing parks, you can therefore distinguish between the pedestrian connection across the suspension bridge, play and sports facilities, and a peaceful stay by the water, without treating these places as a single destination.

Heart of the Lakes Trail and paddling tour

The Heart of the Lakes Trail connects Perham, Pelican Rapids, and Maplewood State Park via a pedestrian route. For planning purposes, this connection should be distinguished from the paths in the parks: it links several named places. Snowmobiling is permitted on certain sections of the trail during the winter months. This permission applies to those sections and the specified season, not to the entire trail or to other seasons in general.

There is also a specific option on the water. The Pelican Paddle Company’s tourism listing describes an approximately 1.5-hour paddling tour on the Pelican River, from the access point at Prairie Lake to downtown Pelican. The listing says that a boat, paddle, and life jacket are provided. The stated price is $16 per person, plus taxes. The approximate duration provides a guide for planning your time; the other details apply to the tour as described.

The different activities can be compared by type: the connection between the two parks crosses a suspension bridge, the Heart of the Lakes Trail connects three named places, and the paddling tour has an approximate duration.

Find a hotel for your stay in Pelican Rapids

If you’re looking for a hotel in Pelican Rapids, you can first consider which of these activities you want to shape your stay: parks along the river, the Heart of the Lakes Trail, or the paddling tour described here. Then compare the specific details of available hotel offers with your own requirements. This keeps your accommodation choice aligned with your trip plans, while your choice of excursions is based on the information provided about routes, seasons, and tours.

Discover more destinations: Ottertail, Parkers Prairie, Fergus Falls, Perham.

For the regional travel overview: Otter Tail County.