Otter Tail Approves 14-Mile Glacial Edge Trail From Fergus Falls to Maplewood

Otter Tail County has approved an amendment to the Glacial Edge Trail Master Plan that extends the planned route north from Fergus Falls to Maplewood State Park, adding about 14 miles of trail designed to link the county garage area to the state park and to the Perham to Pelican Rapids Regional Trail. County officials and the City of Fergus Falls collaborated on the amendment, which lays out the route, design standards and next steps for funding and designation.

The amended plan envisions a separated, 10-foot wide paved trail where space allows, with boardwalk sections where the route crosses wetlands. Approved route maps for the additional 14-mile section and the full amended master plan are available for viewing and download on the county projects page. The amendment and maps were reviewed by a Project Advisory Group and have been submitted for regional designation; the project is now eligible for Legacy funding and other grant programs.

For residents, the immediate change is planning certainty rather than construction. The county page notes there is no immediate construction schedule and lists the project status as completed/planned. Maps and plan documents give landowners, lake-area businesses, anglers and trail users a clear sense of the corridor and design standards so neighborhoods and local leaders can plan around the future route.

The extension creates a physical link between Fergus Falls and Maplewood State Park, opening routes for walkers, runners, cyclists and families to access one of Otter Tail County’s most visited natural areas without driving. By connecting to the Perham to Pelican Rapids Regional Trail, the amendment also folds Fergus Falls into a larger regional network, which could boost weekend tourism and encourage multi-day itineraries that benefit downtown merchants, lodging and outfitting services.

Environmental considerations shaped the design. Where the trail crosses wetlands, planners included boardwalk options to reduce impacts and maintain hydrology. The Project Advisory Group review informed those choices and helped the amendment meet standards needed for regional designation and grant eligibility.

Next steps depend on securing funding and coordinating final design and permitting. Being eligible for Legacy dollars and other grants positions the trail for state and regional support, but construction timing will hinge on successful grant applications and budget decisions. The county projects page includes the approved route maps and the full amended master plan for those who want to examine alignment, cross sections and wetland mitigation approaches.

For Otter Tail County residents, the approved amendment marks a planning milestone: a mapped, funded pathway is a step closer to new local routes for daily recreation, safer bike and pedestrian travel and deeper connections to the lake-country landscape. Watch the county projects page for updates on funding, design milestones and opportunities to weigh in as the trail moves from plan to pavement.