Glacial Lakes

The Glacial Lakes State Trail is located on a former Burlington Northern Railroad grade, and is generally level and wheelchair accessible. The trail is paved with asphalt for 22 miles between Willmar, Spicer, New London, Hawick, and the Kandiyohi/Stearns County line. The segment from Willmar to New London has 10 miles of parallel, grass treadway for horseback riding, while the New London to the Kandiyohi/Stearns County line segment has grass shoulders to accommodate this activity

The gently rolling topography of Central Minnesota was created by glaciers retreating 10,000 years ago. The trail cuts across the border between Minnesota's western tallgrass prairie and eastern deciduous forest. Though much of the area has been cultivated, remnants of virgin prairie, wetlands, and scattered woodlots can still be found along the railroad right-of-way. Whitetail deer, numerous small mammals, birds, reptiles and butterflies can be seen along the trail.

The many lakes make this area a popular tourist destination. The towns along the trail provide access points, rest stops and other services to trail users.

Primary summer use of the developed trail includes, hiking, bicycling, horseback riding and in-line skating. Within Kandiyohi County, the trail is groomed for winter snowmobile use, however studded tracks are prohibited on the asphalt surface. No snowmobile use is allowed on the future trail in Stearns County at this time. The Glacial Lakes State Trail connects to Sibley State Park via 3 miles of paved shoulder along County Road 148. The trail also connects with many miles of groomed snowmobile trails in the Kandiyohi County Grant-in-Aid trail system.

Parking

• Willmar: take U.S. Hwy. 12 east to County Road 9. Turn north (left) go 2 miles to parking lot on west (left) at the Civic Center.
• Spicer: at the junction of State Hwy. 23 and County Road 10. Parking lot west off 23.
• East Nest Lake Public Water Access: 2 miles north of Spicer on Highway 23 and 1/2 mile west on the Township Road.
• New London: off from State Hwy. 23. Follow State Highway 9 north to public water access parking lot on east (right).
• Hawick: North side of town, at the intersection of State Highway 23 and County Road 2

Do not leave valuables in your car.

Nearby DNR recreational areas
Sibley State Park, Roscoe Prairie SNA, Several Wildlife Management Areas, New London Fish Hatchery.