City of Parks

With twelve parks covering more than 115 acres, Montevideo has earned its title of "City of Parks." Nine of the parks are neighborhood parks and are scattered throughout residential areas. The remaining three-Smith, Lagoon and Wildwood are located along the picturesque Chippewa River, which winds through Montevideo.

Smith Park is Montevideo's premier picnicking and gathering location. Three log shelter buildings, constructed as WPA projects in the 1930's, along with playground equipment, volleyball and horseshoe courts are shaded by its many majestic trees.

To check availability of Smith Park facilities, call the City of Montevideo at 320-269-6575. Reservations must be made in person.

Lagoon Park has ten campsites, eight with water and electrical hookups, and provides modern bathroom and shower facilities. Availability is on a "first come/first served" basis.

Wildwood Park boasts nature trails which wind along the Chippewa River, providing an ideal hiking ambience.

Montevideo's newest park, the Windom Park Recreation Area, is a 25-acre city park. Windom Park features six tennis courts, baseball field, sand volleyball court, basketball court, playground equipment, picnic shelter and a hard-surfaced walking path. Windom Park also houses Montevideo's outdoor swimming pool complex, complete with a 151-foot waterslide, wading pool, concession area and patio. Windom Park Recreation Area is located on North Third Street and Ashmore Avenue.

Montevideo also features twelve color-coated tennis courts, three regulation softball fields and three baseball fields including one lighted field. Summer finds the softball and baseball fields home to adult softball leagues and tournaments, girls softball and Little League programs.

Minnesota River

The Minnesota and Chippewa Rivers join at Montevideo to provide some of the most impressive landscapes in Southwestern Minnesota.

A gentle river, the Minnesota is seldom interrupted by rapids. The Minnesota is one of the few canoeable rivers in Southwestern Minnesota with the best canoeing occurring during high water time each spring.

A map of the entire Minnesota River, showing campsites, rest areas and rapids may be obtained from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources by calling 1-800-766-6000.

Lac Qui Parle State Park

Located 12 miles Northwest of Montevideo on Chippewa County Road 13 and Lac Qui Parle County Road 33, Lac Qui Parle State Park was formed by receding glaciers throughout the region. Natural dams were created resulting in wide lakes along the length of the Minnesota River.

Lac Qui Parle, "the lake that speaks," was originally the name of a band of Wahpeton Dakota, who established a village along the banks of the Minnesota River hundreds of years before the arrival of white people. They hunted the valleys and prairies, cultivating fields of corn, beans and squash.

In 1826 a trading post was established by Joseph Renville, an explorer and fur trader. In 1835 a mission was built to teach Christianity, American Culture and agriculture to the Indians. Although the mission closed in 1854, it served as the location of the translation of the Bible into the Dakota language.

Today, a wood chapel, constructed as a WPA project, stands on the original adobe site.

Lac Qui Parle State Park is located west of the Mission site. 56 semi-modern campsites are available for park visitors. Facilities for hiking, swimming and horseback riding, along with boat and canoe access' to the river are also available. Approximately 50,000 people visit the 530 acre park each year.

Lac Qui Parle State Park is open year round and has snowmobile and cross country ski trails for winter fun. For more information contact the Lac Qui Parle State Park at 320-752-4736.

A Hunters Paradise

Lac Qui Parle Wildlife Management Area is a 27,000-acre area, located north and west of Lac Qui Parle State Park. An attractive headquarters building houses a small museum and a staffed information center.

Bird watchers and nature observers visit the area each year, enjoying the native prairie grasses, flowers and the abundance of song birds and waterfowl which use the Wildlife Management Area for a nesting and migratory stopover. The habitat of wetlands, brush lands, woodlands and native prairie combine to provide cover for birds and small game. Abundant wildlife can be seen almost anytime of the year.

Lac Qui Parle is best known for hunting. As many as 150,000 Canadian Geese migrate here for their yearly stopover. Most are part of the Eastern Prairie population which nests near the Hudson Bay area during the summer and winter in Missouri's Swan Lake Refuge.

Deer, duck and pheasant are also in abundance at Lac Qui Parle. Fox, squirrels, raccoons and rabbits are also hunted. Trapping of muskrat, mink, fox, raccoon, and beaver is allowed with proper permits. A wild turkey flock is growing each year.

Lac Qui Parle also provides year round fishing excitement, stocked with crappie, northern pike, white bass and walleye.

Permits are required to hunt, fish and trap in the Wildlife Management Area. Contact the Lac Qui Parle Wildlife Management Area at 320-734-4451 for further information.

 
Montevideo Country Club

The Crossings (Golf Course) has long been known as one of the finest nine-hole golf courses in the state. Expanded to 18 holes in 1995, the new nine features larger, more undulating greens, and the 18 holes play to a yardage of 6,342 yards from the championship tees. The yardage from the ladies tees is 5,160. The Country Club also offers a varied dining menu and is available for large gatherings such as wedding receptions, graduation receptions and class reunions. The Minnesota Valley Racquetball Club is located on the lower floor of the club house.

Chippewa City Historical Park  http://www.montechamber.com/cchs/chipcity.htm

Step back in time at Chippewa City Historical Park, a 23-building museum owned and operated by the Chippewa County Historical Society. Featuring a pioneer church, school and historical homes: Chippewa City Historical Park gives a glimpse of a bygone era and a simpler time. Take a guided tour, or simply stroll in the beautiful park setting. Resource center, gift shop and many interactive demonstrations are scheduled throughout the year. For tour information, call the Chippewa County Historical Society at 320-269-7636.

Swensson Farm Museum  http://www.montechamber.com/cchs/swensson.htm

Just minutes outside of Montevideo, the Olaf Swensson Farm Museum consists of a 17 acre farmstead, complete with timber-frame barn, grist mill remains and hand cut granite monuments. The 22 room brick farm house rests on a foundation of local granite and is included on the National Register. Call 320-269-7636 for further information.

Fort Renville

Fort Renville is the site of a fur-trading post established by Joseph Renville and constructed in 1826. Just 1/2 mile north of the Lac Qui Parle Mission, Fort Renville is marked with an interpretive sign for visitors.

Lac Qui Parle Mission  http://www.montechamber.com/cchs/lqpmissn.htm

This National Register of Historic Places site was originally built in 1835 by missionaries working among the Dakota and reconstructed by the WPA in 1942. Interpretive displays highlight the areas early trade history and the translation of the Bible into the Dakota language. Join us for Lac Qui Parle Mission Sunday, the second Sunday in July. For information call 320-269-7636.

Camp Release

Dedicated in 1894, Camp Release stands as a reminder of the US/Dakota Conflict of 1862, where 259 captives were released here in the fall of 1862, along with the surrender of about 1,200 Native Americans.

Jose Artigas Plaza

Shoppers and visitors are encouraged to stop and relax on the shaded park benches and enjoy Artigas Plaza, located in the center of downtown Montevideo. The Plaza was named in honor of Jose Artigas, hero of Uruguayan independence and features an 11 foot bronze statue presented by the people of Montevideo, Uruguay in 1949. Don't miss the many fine retail shops and unique restaurants throughout the downtown and Montevideo area.

Uruguayan Art in Montevideo

Historic, Depot Railroad Restoration

Visit the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Depot, originally built in the early 1900's, now being restored-by the Milwaukee Heritage Center to house a railroad museum. Stroll through the newly restored railroad yards, which include an engine shed, sand house and operational turntable. For tour information, call the Chippewa County Historical Society at 320-269-7636.

Historic Buildings

Catch a glimpse of Chippewa County history through our National Register buildings. JA Weaver House - Charles Budd House - Swensson Farm - Lac qui Parle Mission - Railroad Depot -Carnegie Library - Chippewa City Bank Building - Henry Gippe farmstead.

Fort Renville

As early as 1811 fur traders traveled and lived in the area, establishing posts to trade furs produced in the region. One of the most famous was Joseph Renville, the son of a French trader and a Dakota woman. In 1822, he established Fort Renville as a trading post at Lac qui Parle (Dakota for "lake that speaks".) It was one of the most influential centers of white presence in Southwestern Minnesota, and the only outpost between St. Peter and the British Posts of the Red River. The fort prospered until Renville's death in 1846. The site was excavated in 1940, and currently is marked with an interpretive sign.

Western Minnesota Prairie Waters    http://www.prairiewaters.com/
“Where the Prairie Meets the River”

Montevideo is located in the central portion of a six county region promoted by Western Minnesota Prairie Waters. Explore the prairies and rivers and learn about the culture, festivals and recreational opportunities that the Montevideo area has to offer.

For more information, please contact:

Montevideo Conventions and Visitors Bureau
c/o Montevideo Area Chamber of Commerce
202 N. 1st St. Suite 150
Montevideo, MN 56265
1-800-269-5527