Summer is a great time to take advantage of our beautiful lakes, whether it’s by the beach swimming, fishing along the shore, boating, kayaking, canoeing and paddle boarding!

Albert Lea recently celebrated the designation of the Shell Rock River State Water Trail, which begins at the headwaters of Fountain Lake and travels 20 miles south and passes through the city of Albert Lea, Myre-Big Island State Park, the city of Glenville and two wildlife management areas, before ending at the Minnesota/Iowa border.

What’s unique about the trail is that it encompasses both Fountain and Albert Lea lakes, along with the Shell Rock River.

No worries if you don’t have a kayak or canoe! Be sure to check out Brookside Boathouse, as it is open seven days a week. Albert Lea has a canoe rental station at Frank Hall Park with both kayaks and a canoe. Go to www.ipaddleport.com for rental information. Myre-Big Island State Park has rentals for kayaks, canoes, paddleboards and boats.

The Blazing Star Bike Trailhead in Hayward was dedicated Sunday during the Hayward Days celebration. The trail has been paved from Hayward to Albert Lea Lake, approximately 1.3 miles. Activities included kids’ games, and root beer floats, lemonade and cookies were served at the lake end of the trail. A bike raffle, bike helmets and prizes were given away throughout the event in City Park.

For more information, check out our calendar at www.albertleatourism.org.

 

Susie Petersen

Albert Lea Convention and Visitors Bureau