Mountain Lake is a rural Minnesota town in the southwestern part of the state. Although conspicuously distant from any region that might be considered mountainous, Mountain Lake is a charming community with much to offer the traveler who stops to explore. So, what do you say – Mountain Lake road trip?

Mountain Lake is a community of 2,000 in Cottonwood County.
Tony Webster/Flickr
Although home to a post office since 1871, it was not officially platted until 1872, and it finally incorporated in 1886.
Today, you’ll find a handsome and tidy downtown with several local businesses.
Jared Winkler/Wikimedia Commons
You can grab a cup of coffee and a light breakfast or lunch at Sweet Fields.
Sweet Fields, 10th Street North, Mountain Lake, MN, USA
Tim Drake/Google Reviews
If you’re looking for something a little heartier, or perhaps an adult beverage or two, The Den Bar and Grill is open for breakfast and lunch.
The Den Bar and Grill, 999 2nd Ave, Mountain Lake, MN 56159, USA
Management/Google Reviews
On some days, it closes in the afternoon, but it’s open again for happy hour and dinner.
What sets Mountain Lake apart from other southwestern Minnesota cities, though, is its fascinating history - and how well preserved its historic sites are.
Scott Blake/Google Reviews
Low German-speaking Mennonites from Russia settled in the area starting in 1873, when the railroad came to Mountain Lake. Soon, these settlers comprised the vast majority of the area’s population.
The town has preserved its history with the Mountain Lake Heritage Village.
Heritage Village, Mountain Lake Road, Mountain Lake, MN, USA
Scott Blake/Google Reviews
This collection of historic buildings is open daily during the summer, and interpreters are often on hand to talk about the town’s history. The Heritage Village also hosts a fair over the second weekend in September and a lights display that’s a popular regional destination during the holiday season.
Long before the Russian Mennonites or their colonial predecessors settled Mountain Lake, however, native peoples had used the area.
Mountain County Park, Mountain Lake, MN, USA
McGhiever/Wikimedia Commons
Archaeological evidence points toward near-continuous use of a former island (the original lake was drained for farming) site for nearly 3,000 years. In fact, the remains of the oldest dwelling ever found in Minnesota - 2,100 years old - were discovered at the site, which is now located within Mountain County Park. The site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

Interestingly, I have driven past Mountain Lake several times and stopped once or twice. But I haven’t visited Heritage Village or Mountain County Park, yet. But you’d better believe they’re on my Minnesota bucket list now!

How about you? Have you spent any time in Mountain Lake, and did you know about the historic sites in this rural Minnesota town?

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Mountain Lake, MN 56159, USA