Todd district, Minnesota, United States

Places to visit near Wadena

Wadena is a town in Todd district, Minnesota, United States, home to about 4,176 people. Within 50 km by road there are 35 places to visit — 17 lakes, dams & reservoirs, 6 churches, 4 museums and 3 forts & heritage. The must-see places are Mount Nebo (12 km), Finn Creek Museum (19 km) and Lovejoy Lake (27 km).

Updated · Distances are road estimates · Open Wadena on the map

Wadena, Minnesota
Wadena, Todd district, Minnesota, United States. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Wadena at a glance

Location
Todd district, Minnesota, United States
Population
about 4,176
Coordinates
46.4425° N, 95.1361° W
Places within 50 km
35 (13 must-see)
Best time to visit
August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open for lakes, dams & reservoirs; October to February for forts & heritage; year-round for churches and museums

Top places to visit near Wadena

Ranked by how worth the drive they are from Wadena: must-see places and the closest well-loved spots first. Open a place for photos, today’s visitor status, timings and directions.

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Things to see near Wadena, by type

Lakes, dams & reservoirs near Wadena

154 lakes, dams & reservoirs within 100 km of Wadena. The closest is Windy Lake Wildlife Management Area (27 km); the best-known is Lovejoy Lake (27 km). Best time: august to december when reservoirs are full and gates may open.

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Churches near Wadena

28 churches within 100 km of Wadena. The closest is Our Saviour's Lutheran Church (26 km). Best time: year-round.

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Museums near Wadena

11 museums within 100 km of Wadena. The closest is Wadena County Historical Society (1 km); the best-known is Finn Creek Museum (19 km). Best time: year-round.

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Forts & heritage near Wadena

11 forts & heritage within 100 km of Wadena. The closest is Captain Black's Cabin (6 km). Best time: october to february.

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Hill stations & viewpoints near Wadena

10 hill stations & viewpoints within 100 km of Wadena. The closest is Mount Nebo (12 km). Best time: october to february for cool, clear air.

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Wildlife, forests & gardens near Wadena

6 wildlife, forests & gardens within 100 km of Wadena. The closest is Almora Wildlife Management Area (36 km). Best time: november to march for sightings.

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A one-day trip from Wadena

5 of the best places within 60 km, in driving order so you don’t double back: about 98 km on the road.

  1. Start in Wadena
  2. 1 km Wadena County Historical Society · museum, Wadena
  3. 27 km Lovejoy Lake · lake, Wadena
  4. 26 km Mount Nebo · viewpoint, Todd
  5. 25 km Finn Creek Museum · museum, Otter Tail
  6. 13 km Captain Black's Cabin · heritage site, Otter Tail
  7. 6 km Back to Wadena

Plan a longer trip from Wadena — the planner adds a place to stay each night and keeps the route to one loop.

From travellers near Wadena

No traveller has reported from around Wadena yet. Been to one of these places recently? Open it and post what you found — is the waterfall flowing, how crowded was the temple, is the beach safe — so the next visitor knows before they drive.

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How to reach Wadena

    All places near Wadena by distance

    15–50 km — half-day trips

    50–100 km — one-day trips

    Count by type (within 100 km)

    Places near Wadena by type
    TypeWithin 50 kmWithin 100 kmNearest
    Lakes, dams & reservoirs17154Windy Lake Wildlife Management Area (27 km)
    Churches628Our Saviour's Lutheran Church (26 km)
    Museums411Wadena County Historical Society (1 km)
    Forts & heritage311Captain Black's Cabin (6 km)
    Hill stations & viewpoints310Mount Nebo (12 km)
    Wildlife, forests & gardens16Almora Wildlife Management Area (36 km)
    Other attractions14Staples Cinema (35 km)
    Beaches & coast02Sandy Beach (58 km)
    Waterfalls02Wall Lake, Fergus Falls, MN (83 km)
    Parks02Bane Park (91 km)
    Rivers, islands & mangroves01Goat Island (82 km)

    Wadena: questions travellers ask

    What are the best places to visit near Wadena?

    Mount Nebo (viewpoint, about 12 km), Finn Creek Museum (museum, about 19 km), Wadena County Historical Society (museum, about 1 km), Captain Black's Cabin (heritage site, about 6 km), Lovejoy Lake (lake, about 27 km), Dower Lake Wildlife Management Area (lake, about 29 km).

    How many tourist places are there within 50 km of Wadena?

    35 places on Spotwander: 17 lakes, dams & reservoirs, 6 churches, 4 museums, 3 forts & heritage, 3 hill stations & viewpoints.

    Which is the nearest lake to Wadena?

    Windy Lake Wildlife Management Area, about 27 km by road; Lovejoy Lake (27 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest church to Wadena?

    Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, about 26 km by road; Grace Lutheran Church (27 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest museum to Wadena?

    Wadena County Historical Society, about 1 km by road; Finn Creek Museum (19 km) is next.

    What is a good one-day trip from Wadena?

    Start in Wadena, visit Wadena County Historical Society, then Lovejoy Lake, then Mount Nebo, then Finn Creek Museum, then Captain Black's Cabin, and drive back — about 98 km by road in all.

    What is the best time to visit places near Wadena?

    August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open for lakes, dams & reservoirs; October to February for forts & heritage; year-round for churches and museums.

    Towns near Wadena

    Sources: places from OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata and GeoNames; Wadena’s location and population from GeoNames; see also Wadena on Wikipedia. Data sources & credits.