Park Rapids, Minnesota
Park Rapids is a city of 4,270 people in Hubbard County, Minnesota, founded in 1890.
Why visit Park Rapids
Townapedia lists 4 museums and landmarks, 2 parks and trails, 15 places to eat, 3 places to stay and 1 attraction in and around town.
Highlights include Park Theatre, Hubbard County Courthouse and Giiwedinong Treaty Rights and Culture Museum.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 80°F; January lows average -3°F.
Weather in Park Rapids
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Park Rapids
Park Rapids is a city in and the county seat of Hubbard County, Minnesota, United States. It is near Itasca State Park, the source of the Mississippi River, as well as the beginning of the Heartland State Trail. The city was founded in 1890 near the Fish Hook River rapids and is along U.S. Highway 71 and Minnesota State Highway 34. The population was 4,142 at the 2020 census.
From the Wikipedia article Park Rapids, Minnesota (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do1
Museums and landmarks4
Hubbard County Courthouse
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.4 mi
Prominent Neoclassical public building in Park Rapids, Minnesota, United States
Giiwedinong Treaty Rights and Culture Museum
Museum
Museum on Native and treaty rights.
Parks, trails and playgrounds2
Restaurants and cafes15
Burger King
Fast food · Burger · 0.4 mi
310 1st Street East, Park Rapids
Mo-Sa 06:00-23:00; Su 07:00-23:00
3 more on the map.
History
The land that is now Park Rapids was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Ojibwe (Chippewa) people, who still have a significant presence in the region. Park Rapids became a city in 1882, and was named by Frank C. Rice after the park groves and prairies beside the Fish Hook River rapids. These rapids have since been dammed. Located at the convergence of prairie and pine forest, Park Rapids emerged as a supply depot for farmers and the lumber industry. It was a crucial hub for trappers, the local Ojibwe community, and timber cruisers to exchange goods, report, and replenished supplies. Later, Park Rapids grew into a logging center, with numerous trails leading north for tote teams transporting goods. Its main street was made unusually wide to accommodate the long, horse-drawn teams essential to the town's operations.
From the History section of Park Rapids, Minnesota on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay3
Shopping8
Gas and EV charging1
Schools, colleges and libraries12
Healthcare1
Map of Park Rapids
47 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 18°F | -3°F | 0.4 in |
| Feb | 24°F | 1°F | 0.4 in |
| Mar | 37°F | 16°F | 1.0 in |
| Apr | 53°F | 29°F | 1.7 in |
| May | 66°F | 42°F | 3.1 in |
| Jun | 76°F | 53°F | 4.1 in |
| Jul | 80°F | 57°F | 3.9 in |
| Aug | 79°F | 55°F | 2.8 in |
| Sep | 69°F | 46°F | 2.7 in |
| Oct | 54°F | 34°F | 2.4 in |
| Nov | 36°F | 19°F | 0.8 in |
| Dec | 23°F | 5°F | 0.5 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Park Rapids Muni Ap Hcn (1 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Hubbard County has had 5 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for biologicals.
- 2020-04-07: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
- 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
- 2009-04-09: Severe Storms And Flooding (Severe Storm)
- 2005-09-13: Hurricane Katrina Evacuation (Hurricane)
- 2002-06-14: Severe Storms, Flooding And Tornadoes (Severe Storm)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Park Rapids Municipal Airport (PKD) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 1 miles away.
- Menahga 11 mi south, about 18 min by car
- Frazee 33 mi southwest, about 53 min by car
- Detroit Lakes 38 mi west, about 1 h by car
- Bemidji 40 mi north, about 1 h by car
- Bagley 45 mi north, about 1 h 15 min by car
- Breezy Point 46 mi southeast, about 1 h 15 min by car
- Nisswa 46 mi southeast, about 1 h 15 min by car
- Crosslake 48 mi east, about 1 h 15 min by car
- Mahnomen 51 mi northwest, about 1 h 15 min by car
- Baxter 54 mi southeast, about 1 h 30 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Hubbard county Park Rapids MN IMG 1305, Bjoertvedt, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Hubbard County Courthouse SE, McGhiever, CC BY-SA 4.0
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