By Tom Hintgen

Otter Tail County Correspondent

This is the time of year when Otter Tail Lakes Country, an organization that promotes this area of west central Minnesota, emphasizes Maplewood State Park near Pelican Rapids as one of Minnesota’s most stunning locations for fall color.

“The rolling hills at Maplewood State Park turn brilliant with colors that reflect off eight sparkling lakes,” says Otter Tail Lakes Country on its Facebook page. “There’s a path for every fall adventurer.”

Park visitors are urged to climb Hallaway Hill for a view that stops people in their tracks. 

Hardwood trees such as sugar maple, basswood and oak provide a stunning display of reds, oranges and gold colors each fall. Spring through fall, visitors will find displays of yellow lady’s slipper, wild onion, prairie rose and milkweed.

Cliff Knutson, author of a book about Maplewood State Park published in 2025, has many photos in his book. He writes about Walter Spidahl who established Hallaway Hill skiing after World War II. Later, after Hallaway skiing ended, Spidahl established cross country skiing at nearby Friberg Township in the 1970s.

Many readers of Knutson’s book will be captivated by a chapter titled, “Schools within the Park Boundary.” Maplewood School District 145 was identified as the first school built in Maplewood Township, organized Jan. 4, 1881. The Wagstrom School was built by Andrew Wagstrom in the central area of the park in 1886. 

Knutson, who worked at the Regional Treatment Center and Lakeland Mental Health Center in Fergus Falls before his retirement, has previously written four other books. His latest book, “Maplewood State Park, Then and Now,” is available for purchase at the Otter Tail County Historical Society (county museum in Fergus Falls) and at Victor Lundeen Company in downtown Fergus Falls.