top of page

Our Communities

NINE COUNTIES, 80 UNIQUE CITIES, & SO MUCH TO EXPLORE

map showing the nine counties of Southwest Minnesota

Explore Our Region

Welcome to the prairielands of Minnesota! With numerous parks, abundant wildlife, and picturesque communities, Southwest Minnesota is your invitation to step back, relax, and unwind. 

​

Traverse our wide-open prairie landscapes. Visit one of the world's last remaining herds of purebred bison grazing in a 1,500-acre tallgrass prairie, or go on an adventure at one of our stunning parks. Whether it's climbing 100-foot quartzite cliffs, windsurfing, visiting a waterfall, kayaking, or fishing on one of our many lakes and quiet streams, there is so much to experience.

 

History buff? Take a spin on a train turntable or stroll through pioneer-era museums and historic sites.

 

Visit one of our many picturesque communities filled with historic, stone buildings, explore local shops and dining, unwind at one of our local breweries or wineries, or enjoy the summer nights at one of the few drive-in movies in the country. Sit on the banks of Plum Creek, where the stories of Laura Ingalls Wilder come to life, take in a play at a local theater, or take a stroll through Jeffers Petroglyphs and let your imagination soar. 

​

Glimpse of Cottonwood County Courthouse in Cottonwood County

Population: 11,517

​

Hub: Windom

​

4 Places to Explore:

  1. Jeffers Petroglyphs

  2. Talcot Lake County Park

  3. Heritage Village

  4. Red Rock Falls Park

Population: 11,569

 

Community Hub: Windom

​​​

Top Four Places to Explore:

  1. Jeffers Petroglyphs

  2. Heritage Village

  3. Red Rock Falls Park

  4. Talcot Lake County Park

Cottonwood County

Jackson County Fair in Jackson County, MN

Population: 9,990

​

Hub: Jackson

​

4 Places to Explore:

  1. Historic Fort Belmont

  2. Jackson Motorplex

  3. Kilen Woods State Park

  4. Mountain Biking at Belmont Park

Population: 11,569

 

Community Hub: Windom

​​​

Top Four Places to Explore:

  1. Jeffers Petroglyphs

  2. Heritage Village

  3. Red Rock Falls Park

  4. Talcot Lake County Park

Jackson County

Sunset on Lake Benton in Lincoln County, MN

Population: 5,567

​

Hub: Lake Benton

​

4 Places to Explore:

  1. Lake Benton Opera House

  2. Aebleskiver Days

  3. Hole in the Mountain County Park 

  4. Fishing at the lakes

Population: 11,569

 

Community Hub: Windom

​​​

Top Four Places to Explore:

  1. Jeffers Petroglyphs

  2. Heritage Village

  3. Red Rock Falls Park

  4. Talcot Lake County Park

Lincoln County

river and bridge at Camden State Park in Lyon County, MN

Population: 25,231​

​

Hub: Marshall

​

4 Places to Explore:

  1. Camden State Park

  2. Wheels Across the Prairie Museum

  3. Red Baron Arena

  4. Lyon County Museum

Population: 11,569

 

Community Hub: Windom

​​​

Top Four Places to Explore:

  1. Jeffers Petroglyphs

  2. Heritage Village

  3. Red Rock Falls Park

  4. Talcot Lake County Park

Lyon County

End-O-Line Railroad Park & Museum in Murray County, MN

Population: 8,144​

​

Hub: Slayton

​

4 Places to Explore:

  1. Lake Shetek

  2. End-O-Line Railroad Museum

  3. Bike the Casey Jones State Trail

  4. Painted Prairie Winery

Population: 11,569

 

Community Hub: Windom

​​​

Top Four Places to Explore:

  1. Jeffers Petroglyphs

  2. Heritage Village

  3. Red Rock Falls Park

  4. Talcot Lake County Park

Murray County

aerial view of Pioneer Village in Nobles County, MN

Population: 21,991​

​

Hub: Worthington

​

4 Places to Explore:

  1. Pioneer Village

  2. Spomer Classics

  3. Canoeing at Ocheda Lake

  4. Historic Dayton House

Population: 11,569

 

Community Hub: Windom

​​​

Top Four Places to Explore:

  1. Jeffers Petroglyphs

  2. Heritage Village

  3. Red Rock Falls Park

  4. Talcot Lake County Park

Nobles County

Waterfall at Pipestone National Monument in Pipestone County, MN

Population: 9,313

​

Hub: Pipestone

​

4 Places to Explore:

  1. Pipestone National Monument

  2. Dutch Festival

  3. Historic Water Tower

  4. Split Rock Creek State Park

Population: 11,569

 

Community Hub: Windom

​​​

Top Four Places to Explore:

  1. Jeffers Petroglyphs

  2. Heritage Village

  3. Red Rock Falls Park

  4. Talcot Lake County Park

Pipestone County

Child crosses swing bridge at Ramsey Park in Redwood County, MN

Population: 15,366​

​

Hub: Redwood Falls

​

4 Places to Explore:

  1. Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant & Museum

  2. Ramsey Park

  3. Jackpot Junction Casino

  4. Plum Creek Park

Population: 11,569

 

Community Hub: Windom

​​​

Top Four Places to Explore:

  1. Jeffers Petroglyphs

  2. Heritage Village

  3. Red Rock Falls Park

  4. Talcot Lake County Park

Redwood County

Sunset at Blue Mounds State Park in Rock County, MN

Population: 9,680​

​

Hub: Luverne

​

4 Places to Explore:

  1. Blue Mounds State Park

  2. Touch the Sky Prairie

  3. Rock County History Center

  4. Bike 15+ miles of paved trail in Luverne

Population: 11,569

 

Community Hub: Windom

​​​

Top Four Places to Explore:

  1. Jeffers Petroglyphs

  2. Heritage Village

  3. Red Rock Falls Park

  4. Talcot Lake County Park

Rock County

wind turbines at sunset in Southwest Minnesota

Four seasons of fun...

​

A National Monument, 5 State Parks, the largest municipal park in the state, and numerous county/city parks to explore...

​​

80 unique communities...

​

...and so much more! 

Population: 11,569

 

Community Hub: Windom

​​​

Top Four Places to Explore:

  1. Jeffers Petroglyphs

  2. Heritage Village

  3. Red Rock Falls Park

  4. Talcot Lake County Park

Explore SW MN

Stone Cliffs and prairie at Blue Mounds State Park in Luverne, MN
Explore SW MN

Looking for something to do during your visit? Southwest Minnesota has destinations and activities you'll love to explore!

Jackson Art Walk
Herreid Memorial Museum in Luverne, MN
bottom of page