Glacial Ridge Trail Scenic Byway
Glacial Ridge Trail Scenic Byway is a State Scenic Byway in Minnesota. Within Minnesota it covers roughly 230 miles. The map below shows its route. Use “Plan a drive” to open it in the Road Sorties route planner — already routing along Glacial Ridge Trail Scenic Byway with scenic roads turned on, ready to add your own stops.
The Glacial Ridge Trail Scenic Byway is a 220-mile Minnesota state byway through the lake-and-ridge country left behind by retreating glaciers in the west-central part of the state. Rather than a single point-to-point drive, it's a network of designated highways and loops through five counties, linking Alexandria, Glenwood, Sauk Centre, Starbuck, New London, Spicer, and Willmar, with side trips branching off in several directions. The glacial history is visible everywhere in the hills and ridges cradling hundreds of lakes, and the route passes three state parks, Sibley, Monson Lake, and Glacial Lakes, offering a mix of hardwood forest, prairie, and open water for hiking, birding, and fishing. Because the byway has no fixed beginning or end, travelers typically pick a loop or two rather than attempting the full network in one trip. It's one of the longer scenic byways in Minnesota by total mileage, though most visitors experience only a portion of it at a time.
- 220 miles of designated routes across 5 counties
- Alexandria, Glenwood, Sauk Centre, Willmar
- glacially formed lakes and ridges
- Sibley, Monson Lake & Glacial Lakes state parks
- loop network, not one linear drive
Plan a drive on Glacial Ridge Trail Scenic Byway →
What is a State Scenic Byway?
State Scenic Byways are roads a state has formally recognized for their scenic, natural, historic or cultural value — each state's own curated collection of drives worth taking slowly.
Where to Stay along Glacial Ridge Trail Scenic Byway
1 campground or RV park sits within about 5 miles of Glacial Ridge Trail Scenic Byway.
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