Are you tired of running on the
streets of Morris? Believe it or not, there are a number of
parks and reserves nearby with miles of trails to explore!
Glacial Lakes State Park
Found five miles south of Starbuck, Glacial Lakes offers
over 15 miles of dirt trails, grass trails, wood chip
trails, and gravel roads. You can loop several kettle lakes
and run through the forest and prairie grasses. Daily
admission is $2.
Gritman Wetland and Wildlife
Demonstration Area
The wetlands can be found three miles east of Pomme de Terre
park on Highway 10. A 2.5 mile auto trail (gravel road) runs
through the park, as well as other small (~ 1 mile) grass
and dirt loops. Admission is free and the park is open from
"sunrise to sunset."
Lake Carlos State Park
Lake Carlos is found ten miles north of Alexandria and
boasts over 15 miles of trails over rolling hills. Daily
admission is $2.
Pomme de Terre River
Obviously not a recommended destination in the summer, the
Pomme de Terre River is a great place to snowshoe or
cross-country ski in the winter. Out on the frozen river
you'll find solitude, nature, and most importantly, none of
those crazy Morris drivers. Snowmobile traffic on the river
is light to none, so the only thing you'll be sharing your
stretch of the waterway with is other outdoor enthusiasts
and the occasional deer.
Runestone County Park
This county park can be found just off of County Highway
103, which is on Highway 27 east of Hoffman. This gem of a
park has almost ten miles of trails with surprising variety.
Admission is free and bathroom facilities are available.