Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway

Byway Details

Designation

National Scenic Byway

Length

241 mi in Minnesota

About Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway

The Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway is a 240.9-mile drive across southern and central Minnesota, designated both a National Scenic Byway and a Minnesota State Scenic Byway. It links a long string of towns, from Beardsley and Browns Valley in the north to Mankato and North Mankato, with St. Peter, Le Sueur, Henderson, Morton, Kasota, Franklin, Granite Falls, Sacred Heart, Odessa, Louisburg, Watson, Montevideo, Big Stone City and more along the way. Late spring through early fall is the most comfortable stretch for the drive. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Browns Valley put May highs around 69°F and September highs around 73°F, with July the warmest month at about 84°F. The byway passes close to plenty of stops. Riverside City Park offers camping right beside the route, and the Minnesota River Trail and Vicksburg County Park are both within a few tenths of a mile. Paddlers can head to the Minnesota River, about a mile off.