Located along the meandering Minnesota River, the Minnesota River Valley National Scenic Byway is a destination in itself. Close your eyes and image becoming an explorer for a day.
From Browns Valley to Belle Plaine along the Minnesota River, the Minnesota River Valley National Scenic Byway has six state parks with trails, natural beauty and history, important museums and historic sites that tell stories of war and settlement, and pristine prairie that holds the secrets of the past.
The Destinations are your guideposts as you travel through the Minnesota River Valley. You will not want to miss these sites, which also provide visitor information and services. Also, there are many off-the-beaten-path stops that we call Discovery Sites. To see all of our discovery sites, view sections of the byway below, or go to Things to Do. For a complete list of our sites, go to Sites Along the Byway.
1
Choose An area you Want to explore on the map
Or take the whole byway for the best adventure!
Not sure where you want to go? Get suggestions on the Itineraries page or view a list of the sites under Things to Do.
2
Find the Attractions you want to visit
Hover or click on
for more information on each stop. Use + and – to zoom.
Too many attractions to pick from? The filter helps you sort by topics such as Natural History and the U.S. – Dakota War of 1862, or go to the Things To Do map and filter by activities such as museums, birding or paddling.
3
Know where to go but want to add options to your route?
We also have alternative routes for you!
The Minnesota River Valley has so many beautiful roads that we identified alternative routes for your adventures along the Minnesota River. Some have sections of gravel too, so we’ve identified that as well.

35889 E Meadowbrook | Ortonville, MN, 56278
Nestled on the shores of Big Stone Lake, or Bde Iŋyaŋ Takiŋyaŋyaŋ, this state park offers visitors a quiet camping experience complete with fishing, swimming, hiking and bird watching.
985 U.S. 12 | Ortonville, MN, 56278
Built on the site of Paul Bunyan’s anchor, this museum features many treasures of the past and interpretations about life as a pioneer.
44843 687th Avenue, County Highway 19 | Odessa, MN, 56276
Drive or bike the auto tour where you can enjoy the granite outcrops, wetlands and woodlands, prairie.
Watson, MN, 56295
151 Pioneer Drive | Montevideo, MN, 56265
5722 Travers Ln | Granite Falls, MN, 56241
5908 Minnesota 67 | Granite Falls, MN, 56241
333 S Washington | Redwood Falls, MN, 56283
Jct of Renville Cty Hwy 2 and Hwy 18 | Morton, MN, 56270
441 N Park Dr | Morton, MN, 56270
32469 Redwood County Hwy. 2 | Morton, MN, 56270
39527 Res Hwy 1 | Morton, MN, 56270
The Lower Sioux Indian Community is a federally recognized Indian tribe and is host of the Jackpot Junction Casino Hotel.
72158 County Road 30 | Fairfax, MN, 55332
2 N Broadway St | New Ulm, MN, 56073
1300 Summit Ave | New Ulm, MN, 56073
54497 Gadwall Rd | Mankato, MN, 56001
900 Mound Avenue | Mankato, MN, 56265
224 Lamm Street | Mankato,, MN, 56001
This is Southern Minnesota’s most immersive and hands-on museum for kids.
424 Warren Street | Mankato, MN, 56001
100 N Riverfront Dr | Mankato, MN, 56220
209 N Riverfront Dr | Mankato, MN, 56001
1851 N. Minnesota Ave. | St. Peter, MN, 56082
600 Main Street | Henderson, MN, 56044
28238 Nature Center Ln | Henderson, MN, 56044
