Lake Pepin / Red Wing / Rochester Area

One of America’s Most Scenic Destinations

Featuring pristine waters, tall bluffs, and unspoiled nature, Lake Pepin is claimed to be one of North America’s top 10 most scenic destinations.

In the early 1800s, explorers started traveling up the Mississippi River by steamboat. Once they reached lake Pepin, many chose to stay. Now the lake has large lakeside towns like Red Wing, Lake City, and Wabasha.

Beauty on the Mississippi

Lake Pepin is the largest body of water on the Mississippi River, with over 25,500 acres of surface area. The lake stretches for 28 miles along the Minnesota-Wisconsin border.

Its waters range from one to three miles wide with 85 miles of shoreline. Around the shore, you will spot many tall, rocky bluffs that make Pepin so unique.

Lake Pepin holds an impressive crop of fish, including walleye, sauger, yellow perch, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, and bluegill.

The lake’s constant breeze and long stretch make it the go-to location for sailing, but it is just as famous for powerboating, waterskiing, tubing, kayaking, and swimming.

A Trip Around the Area

Minnesota’s Highway 61 and Wisconsin’s Highway 35 together create a 70-mile tour of the lake. The path winds along the water and into the towns, so you get the best of both worlds.

You will be tempted with bakeries, cafes, mercantile, gift shops, creameries, and so much more along the drive.

Minnesota’s Frontenac State Park claims 2,270 acres on Lake Pepin’s shore. Its main feature is its three-mile sandstone bluff that reaches a height of 450 feet. The park attracts bird watchers and nature enthusiasts with its 260 species of birds and unique wildflowers.

The National Eagle Center is in Wabasha and the Coffee Mill Ski Area and the Bluffs at Coffee Mill Golf Course.

City Advantages

The many lakeside cities can meet your specific needs with restaurants, shops, and hotels, but Rochester, Minnesota has it all. The Rochester International Airport, Mayo Clinic Hospital, and a wealth of fun attractions are approximately an hour away.

If you choose to go north for a little over an hour, you'll reach the big-city attractions and amenities of Minneapolis, Minnesota. With the Minneapolis−Saint Paul International Airport, several hospitals, and tons of family-friendly entertainment options, there's no room for boredom!

Top-Notch Lake Property

Between Lake Pepin and its surrounding cities, there will never be a shortage of things to do. It is the perfect place to vacation or stays year-round.