Warroad Your Vacation Playground.

ATV enthusiasts will be happy to know there are over 1,400 miles of ATV accessible roads and trails within the greater Beltrami area and Carp Pitt; a recreation area favored by riders that features picnic tables and space for camping.

Off-highway vehicles can be driven on all state forest trails that are not designated as off limits for environmental or safety reasons. Warroad, with thousands of acres of prime ATV destinations right out our front door, is a great place to stay if you are planning an “off-road” vacation.

Check the Parks page for detailed information on each of the following state forests:

• Beltrami Island State Forest is just east of Warroad and spans an area of 66,903 acres.
• Lost River State Forest is west of Warroad on Hwy 310 and encompasses 63,000 acres.
• Northwest Angle State Forest is north of Warroad located on Lake of the Woods.

Warroad has a proud heritage and history and in no place is it more prevalent than in our passion for our community and sports. 

Kah-Bay-Kay-Nong is the Ojibwa word for Warroad. Respected leader, elder, and hockey legend Henry Bou­cha’s great great great grandfather, Ay-Ash-A-Wash, is considered the first chief of Warroad and Buffalo Point (just over the border in Manitoba, Canada) and led the Ojibwa in battles against the Sioux on the “War-Trail” that traveled to the west from Lake of the Woods. Warroad got its name from the War-Trail, a place of honor for the Ojibwa/Anishinaabe.

“Na-May-Poke, son of Ay-Ash-A-Wash, sold part of his land allotment to the Warroad School. A wise elder, Na-May-Poke wanted the name Warroad Warriors instilled for the school in honor of our ancestors’ blood that was given to keep the land in Warroad and on Lake of the Woods. In the early 1990s, when the Civil Liberties Union wanted the Warroad Warriors to change its name, we stood our ground like our ancestors, and kept the in honored of our fallen Warriors. In that honor, the local Ojibwa/Anishinaabe Indian Community and the Indian Parent Committee (LIEC) designed the logo now used at Warroad High School, and along with the Indian Education Department, supported the name Warroad Warriors.”

in 2014, Boucha shared this story with the National Coalition Against Racism in Sports and Media, explaining the deep and honorable connection the “Warriors” have to our local history.  This history was then celebrated with the national organization with a pipe ceremony, honor, song, and a re-dedication of the Warroad logo that included the entire student body and many members of our community.

You may have heard the phrase “Hocketown USA™” and if you thought it meant Warroad, you were right.  The famous moniker has been use to reference our town since the 1950s and now we have permission to officially use it and claim it. Warroad now has eight Olympians to its credit and we are so proud of Gigi Marvin and T.J. Oshie for representing the United States so well in Sochi.

On your next visit, we invite you to take a walk through the Warroad Heritage Center or the Wm. S. Marvin Training and Visitor Center. When you’re at a hockey game, enjoy all the history that has been compiled and displayed right in the Gardens and Olympic arenas. Check out our newly painted water tower with the hockeysticks and take in any of the Warroad Warriors sporting events.

We are honored to share our heritage with you. If you have any questions or need help locating area community businesses or services, please call 800.328.4455 or email wcoc@wiktel.com.

Walk, run, or dash your way to Warroad Saturday, March 19 for the 5th annual St. Patrick’s 5k.  After the race, cool off with a plunge in the lake during the Polar Plunge.  Not brave enough to take the plunge?  Sit back, relax, and watch as brave jumpers plunge in the frigid waters to support Special Olympics in Minnesota.

Race begins at 10am.

Click here to register online for the 5k.

Rooms were booked with people from all across the midwest who came to Warroad, MN for their chance to win $30,000 in prizes that were given away during the annual Warroad Chamber of Commerce & Springsteel Resort Fishing Derby. Below is a list of winners from 2016. We look forward to seeing everyone again next year!

Derby Fishing Contest Winners:

Largest Walleye 
1st- $1,000 Arnold Nelson Badger 2.15 lbs. 18″
2nd-$750 Teale Horner Warroad 1.55 lbs. 16.5″
3rd-$500 Jordan Torgerson TRF 1.34 lbs. 15″
4th-$250 Ashley Gador GF 1.27 lbs. 15.25″

There is a certain peace and tranquillity on the trails this time of year.  Grab your cross country ski’s or snowshoes and make Warroad your home base for a weekend of cross country skiing or snowshoeing on some of the best trails in the north.  Zipple Bay State Park located 10 miles northeast of Williams, maintains over 12 miles of groomed ski trails.  Hayes Lake State Park, 30 miles south of Warroad, maintains 9 miles of classic track and skate ski. Closer to town, visitors can enjoy the Warroad School Forest with shorter groomed trails.

Don’t have cross country ski’s.  No problem.  Doc’s Harbor Inn in Warroad rents snowshoes, cross country skis, and ice skates… Call them at 218-452-3302 for more details.  

After a day exploring the great outdoors, stop by for a cup of coffee or warm up with a hot coco at one of the local coffee shops before heading out to dinner.

Are you looking for even more ways to enjoy your winter getaway? Be sure to like us on Facebook for events, fishing reports, special offers and more in Warroad.

Come play in Warroad this winter!