 Autumn at Old Mill State Park
Where leaves change and history stands still.
 📷: Lori Warne, 9/19/23
Fall is arriving at Old Mill State Park in northwestern Minnesota, where oaks and aspens are turning shades of gold just as the last fall flowers make their final exit. Find your way to the shore of the Middle River and you’ll see hundreds of southward migrating birds. “Each day brings a slight change in the hue of the park, as well as a change in which birds migrate,” explains Tim Williamson, park supervisor.
For more than a century, this peaceful area located outside Argyle, Minnesota has drawn hundreds of visitors each season. Described as an island of original landscape in a sea of crop land, the park merges past and present with its historic mill and 1800s settler’s cabin. For those looking to take in the landscape, the Agassiz trail loop serves as a showcase for autumnal grasses and shrubs.
Cutting through the center of the park is the tranquil Middle River. An iconic stone bridge spans the width of the river, giving visitors a chance to snap photos and take in the park's quiet beauty.
Still wondering if this destination is for you? If you're feeling footloose and yearn for a distant autumn sun, hit the road and trek north to this getaway that blends history, scenery, and leisurely trails. Add in colorful leaves, crisp air, and stories from Minnesota's homestead history, and you've got a perfect autumn escape.
Fall is short in the northwest corner of Minnesota—visit soon to see Old Mill at its most vibrant!
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Red River of the North State Water Trail
North-flowing river connects Minnesota, North Dakota and Canada.
 📷: Kirsten Zeller, 9/24/22
The Red River of the North is a river like no other in Minnesota—it flows north for 550 miles, forming most of the border between Minnesota and North Dakota before continuing into Canada and emptying into Lake Winnipeg. Set within the flatlands of the former Glacial Lake Agassiz, the valley first drew nomadic peoples who followed herds of bison and caribou across its grassy basin after the glaciers retreated. Later, French-Canadian explorers named it Rivière Rouge du Nord—the Red River of the North—for its clay soils and reddish, silt-filled waters. Today, the river offers a unique paddling experience through one of the flattest landscapes in the world.
The river itself is slow-moving and meandering, perfect for relaxed paddling with plenty of time to take in the sights—especially in the fall. Tree-lined banks of cottonwood, elm, and box elder transform into glowing corridors of gold and amber. Bald eagles, great blue herons, and white-tailed deer are often spotted along the shore, while beneath the surface swim channel catfish, northern pike, and goldeye.
With cooler air making paddling comfortable, it's the perfect time to explore the river. The Fargo North Dam to M.B. Johnson Park stretch (3.1 miles) is a great introduction to the river with just enough twists and turns to keep it interesting. Other options to explore the shore include the Red River State Recreation Area at river mile 301. Paddlers can beach a canoe or kayak on the nearby shoreline and walk a short distance into the recreation area. Once there, you’ll discover restrooms, a playground, picnic tables, shoreline fishing, campground and access to miles of hiking and biking trails. It’s a great place to rest, camp, or stretch your legs after time on the river.
Because the river flows across two states and into Canada, be sure to check local regulations before you go. Water levels can fluctuate, and snags are common, so planning ahead and reviewing paddling safety is essential. But for those ready to explore, the Red River State Water Trail delivers a one-of-a-kind paddling adventure where nature, history, and international waters all meet.
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