Willmar is a charming city and the county seat of Minnesota's Kandiyohi County. The first European people to settle in the Willmar area arrived during the 1850s. The land was fertile, and there was plenty of game and lumber, making the area an attractive location. However, after the Dakota War of 1862 took place, the area became abandoned for several years. When railroads began to develop around Kandiyohi County in 1869, it, once again, brought settlers to the Willmar area. Many of the settlers came from Sweden and Norway, and even to this day, Willmar has a large Scandinavian population. In 1870, a man named Leon Willmar purchased the title to Section 1 of Willmar Township, and a year later, Willmar was established as the county seat of Kandiyohi County. Willmar was officially incorporated as a village in 1874 and as a city in 1901.
The population of Willmar was approximately 21,500 as of 2023. Despite being a fairly small city, Willmar offers a variety of great family-friendly attractions. You could spend a fun-filled day at Big Kahuna Water and Adventure Park with the kids. You might also want to check out the incredible animals at SeaQuest Roseville or attend a live show at the Barn Theater. If you want to learn more about the region's history, consider stopping by the Kandiyohi County Historical Society and Museum.
There are also plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation around Willmar. If you just want to relax in the sunshine, you could catch a Willmar Stingers baseball game at Bill Taunton Stadium. Alternatively, you could take Lake Waconia Cruise, which is a lovely way to explore the Willmar area. If you're looking to be more active, you could go hiking at the Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center or go horseback riding along the Glacial Lakes State Trail.
Campgrounds Near Willmar, Minnesota
An hour and 15 minutes northeast of Willmar, you can camp at the St. Cloud Campground & RV Park. There, you can grab one of the 102 full-hookup RV campsites for $41 to $45 per night or $258 per week. During your stay, you'll get to use several amenities, including free Wi-Fi, a camp store with groceries and RV supplies, an RV dump station, laundry facilities, and a playground.
Another nearby option to consider is the St. Cloud / Clearwater RV Park, which boasts RV campsites with full hookups. The large campground, which is an hour and 15 minutes northeast of Willmar, features a mini golf course, a gift shop, showers, and bicycle rentals. Additionally, the park is known for having friendly, helpful staff, and fun activities are regularly hosted for guests.
You could also rent one of the 59 spacious RV campsites at Oak Park Kampground, an hour and 15 minutes northwest of Willmar. You can snag a site with full RV hookups, and while you're there, your kids will have several fun activities available to them. For example, the park contains a playground, a waterslide, and a full-size softball field. Other amenities include three ponds, where you can fish, and a camp store.
State Parks Near Willmar, Minnesota
An hour and five minutes northwest of Willmar, Glacial Lakes State Park is one of the most tranquil nature areas in Minnesota. The park features placid lakes, gently rolling hills, and lush woodlands. The most popular activities for guests are wildlife viewing and water-based recreation. Signalness Lake is a stunning place to fish for bass, perch, northern pike, sunfish, crappie, and walleye, and the park offers several types of boat rentals as well. While hanging out in the park, you might spot weasels, beavers, Canada lynxes, bison, bald eagles, cranes, hawks, falcons, swans, and other fascinating creatures.
Located near Battle Lake, Minnesota, two hours north of Willmar, Glendalough State Park features Annie Battle Lake, which is a beloved angling location. Visitors to the 354-acre reservoir often reel in bluegill, sunfish, bullhead, and various other fish species. If you'd rather go hiking or biking through the park, the Glendalough and Beaver Pond Interpretive Trails are great options. Additionally, there is also a historic lodge on-site, where you can view photos documenting the area's history and host family gatherings.
Crow Wing State Park, two hours northeast of Willmar, is a 3,000-square-mile park that is on the National Register of Historic Places. You can explore the Old Crow Wing Town Site, where you can learn about the 19th-century frontier town that once existed in the area. If you'd prefer more traditional outdoor recreation, you can explore the park's many scenic hiking trails. While you navigate the trails, you'll have a great chance to observe the area's birds and other unique wildlife. You also could head to one of the nearby rivers for an afternoon of canoeing or fishing.
National Sites Near Willmar, Minnesota
At the Pipestone National Monument, two hours southwest of Willmar, you can learn fascinating info about Native American history and culture. Indigenous groups have been returning to the rock quarries at the site for thousands of years. They come to dig the soft, red stone, which they then carve to form special pipes that are used in prayer and sacred ceremonies. While you're visiting, you can explore the South Quarry and Circle Trails to get a close look at the pipestone quarries. You can also check out the visitor center, where you can gain a better understanding of the site and its unique history.
The Mississippi National River and Recreation Area is a vast natural area that encompasses over 60 facilities throughout the Mississippi River corridor, two hours southeast of Willmar. Those who explore the area will have the chance to visit many landmarks and enjoy several recreational activities. At the Mississippi River Visitor Center, you can learn about the area. You can also walk through the brilliant wildflowers at Crosby Farm Regional Park and take a canoeing trip on the Mississippi River through the Paddle Share Program. Other recreational activities the park offers include fishing, hiking, snowmobiling, wildlife viewing, and bird-watching.
The Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway in Wisconsin, three and a half hours northeast of Willmar, is one of many United States rivers classified as Wild and Scenic Rivers. The sizable riverway protects a 252-mile stretch of the river and the pristine surrounding land. Throughout the site, visitors will find numerous recreational opportunities. You can go fishing, boating, hiking, biking, camping, and cross-country skiing. A couple of picturesque hiking routes to explore in the area are the Indianhead Flowage and the St. Croix Trails.
National Forests Near Willmar, Minnesota
Chippewa National Forest was originally established in 1902 as a reserve, but in 1908, it was re-established as a national forest. It is about four hours and 10 minutes northeast of Willmar and features a special area filled with old-growth trees, some of which are approximately 350 years old. The forest also contains several types of watersheds, three visitor centers, and fascinating historic sites like the Chippewa National Forest Historic Supervisor's Office and Camp Rabideau. The forest features quality hiking trails like Lake Erin to North Stocking Lake and the Lost 40 Trail, and during winter, it's a great area for snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing.
Encompassing a whopping 1.5 million acres across northern Wisconsin, five hours northeast of Willmar, Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest contains some of the oldest and largest trees in the region. Many of these trees are located within the 18,000-acre Headwaters Wilderness, but due to logging in the early 20th century, there aren't nearly as many as there once were. The huge forest is also known for its exceptional opportunities for winter recreation, such as cross-country skiing, ice fishing, and snowmobiling. Other popular activities include hiking, horseback riding, bird-watching, wildlife viewing, kayaking, canoeing, boating, and fishing.
Superior National Forest, five and a half hours northeast of Willmar, is a diverse forest featuring unique ecosystems and lots of great recreational opportunities. Originally established in 1909, the area features a boreal forest, meadows, watersheds, and rolling hills. Nestled on Lake Superior's shores, the forest is a wonderful spot for swimming, fishing, boating, and ice fishing. In fact, there are even fishing piers and swimming beaches found around the park. Visitors can also enjoy camping, hunting, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, picnicking, and hiking scenic trails such as the Bass and Dry Lake Loop and the Oberg Mountain Loop Superior Hiking Trail.
