Lake Pepin is a naturally-occurring, slow, wide spot on the Mississippi River that stretches from Red Wing to Wabasha.
One of the best ways to enjoy the lake is from one of the small towns along Highway 61 - the Great River Road Scenic Drive.
Red Wing, on the north end of the lake, is a quaint river town with enough history to keep you busy all day. Grab a picnic lunch at one of the local eateries and take it out to Bay Point Park to watch the river traffic flow by.
Down at Frontenac State Park there are over 13 miles of trails, including a one-mile handicapped-accessible trail. Take in the lovely river views, Minnesota wildflowers and watch the raptors soar overhead.
Life in Lake City centers on the water - in fact, Lake City is home to water skiing. Lake City is a beautiful historic river town where you can enjoy all of the natural splendor of the lake and its surrounding bluffs.
Don’t miss tiny Reads Landing. You can spot eagles right from your table at the Reads Landing Brewing Company, which occupies an 1869 brick storefront on the river.
Wabasha, on the southern end of the lake, was made famous by the Grumpy Old Men movies. It still retains the idyllic feel of the 1950s along its riverside Main Street, where the 1856 Anderson House is Minnesota's longest continuously operating hotel. Watch the bald eagles of the National Eagle Center nest in the trees, fish for dinner and soar over the river valley.
Minnesota Landmarks
In 2020, the Lottery celebrated eight uniquely Minnesota Landmarks with our "Minnesota" scratch game. The tickets featured Minnehaha Falls and Lake Harriet in the Twin Cities, Canal Park and Gooseberry Falls on the North Shore, Lake Bemidji and Lake of the Woods in Northern Minnesota, Lake Shetek in the Southwest and Lake Pepin in the Southeastern part of the state.
Each ticket scene was another beautiful reminder of how Lottery proceeds help benefit all areas of Minnesota.