North Country Trail Association

Trail Town: Frazee

Frazee is a small city in northwestern Minnesota, located on the BNSF railway’s northern transcontinental route and U.S. Highway 10. Frazee is a modern day recreational crossroads, as it is where the future Heartland State Trail extension will meet the Otter Tail River State Water Trail and the North Country Trail.

The City of Frazee became the first designated NCTA Trail Town in Minnesota in 2013. Incorporated in 1891, originally known as Detroit and then “Third Crossing,” Frazee was once home to the world’s largest sawmill, run by the Nichols-Chisholm Company. It sawed white pine logs floated down the Otter Tail River – along a route that parallels the North Country Trail today – from the White Earth Nation Reservation to the north.

The North Country Trail passes through downtown Frazee, offering resupply opportunities for long-distance hikers. Frazee also offers hikers the opportunity to take their picture by “Big Tom,” the world’s largest turkey statue located in Lion’s Park.

Frazee hosts numerous events throughout the year to connect people with their town’s history. Learn more about the “goings on” in town via the Community Club’s website.

The Laurentian Lakes Chapter is responsible for the North Country Trail section through Frazee.

 

 

Header photo by Robert Harris