Things To Do In Luverne Minnesota.
The Top 7 Things To Do In Luverne, Minnesota This Summer
While making travel plans around Minnesota, you might not have come across the town of Luverne. It’s tiny little town in the far Southeast corner of the state, bordering South Dakota. But for such a small, lesser known city there is a surprising amount of worthwhile things to do in Luverne, especially during the summertime!
Where is Luverne?
3 hours & 20 minutes from Minneapolis
2 hours from Mankato
35 minutes from Sioux Falls, South Dakota
1. Go Camping At Blue Mounds State Park
Beautiful open prairies, red rocky quartz and impeccably clean campsites..what’s not to love? If you haven’t camped here yet, add it to your Minnesota bucket list. It’s a great place to disconnect. Although the park is smaller, it’s trails along the rocky cliffside make for beautiful hikes.
Read my complete guide to Blue Mounds State Park.
BLUE MOUNDS CAMPSITE AMENITIES
- Free open Wifi throughout the campsite
- Large clean bathrooms and showers that are indoors
- Bison & Prairie Tours
- Great hiking trails
- $6 bundles of firewood available for purchase
Read more information about Blue Mounds State Park here.
2. Go On A Bison Tour
Blue Mounds State Park is home to a large herd of bison who openly roam the prairie.
The park offers a tour that is 90 minutes long and lets you drive across the prairie in a safari jeep to see the bison up close! It’s a fun way to learn about the animals, see the cute little calves and get out on the prairie.
RATES
- Adults (ages 13+): $10
- Youth (ages 4-12): $6
Reservations are recommended and can be bought online or by phone at 866-857-2757.
Same day tickets can be bought at the park office from opening until 15 minutes prior to the start of the tour time.
Reserve your tour here.
3. Watch A Movie Under The Stars At The Drive-In Movies
Just $5 for a double feature, you can’t go wrong with a night at Verne Drive-In.
There are concessions onsite, indoor bathrooms and the audio is played through the radio.
Just tune into 91.5 FM. Most people just used their car’s radio but others brought portable radios with a speaker!
Pack a blanket and bug spray if you plan to sit outside or on top of your car!
3. Hike The Beautiful Landscape At
Palisades State Park
Less than 30 minutes away from Luverne, you can cross the border into South Dakota and go explore the beautiful Palisades State Park.
So while it’s technically not in the town of Luverne, I would still be sure to include a visit here on a weekend to Luverne!
A day pass is $8. You can also camp overnight here.
4. Watch The Sunset Over
Touch The Sky Prairie
You can hike to a waterfall here or simply come sit amongst the wide open prairie landscape. It’s truly magnificent at golden hour and/or sunset!
5. Have A Milkshake At The Drive-In Diner
JJ Tasty’s
This eating establishment has been serving burgers and milkshakes since 1977. It’s an iconic place to eat in Luverne.
So pull your car in and order up!
6. Skydive With Skydive Adventures
If you’re feeling truly adventurous, you can book a tandem skydive with Skydive Adventures at the airport one mile south of Luverne on Highway 75.
Rocky hikes, roaming bison and skydiving…who knew the town of Luverne was so adventurous?!
You can check out some of their recent skydives on Youtube.
7. Learn About Wild West History At Devil’s Gulch
Did you know the famous outlaw Jesse James fled a bank robbery in Minnesota through the town of Garretson, South Dakota? While he raced on horseback away from the law, shots fired and screams echoed across the town. When Jesse James arrived at Devil’s Gulch, he managed to do a death defying leap across with his horse and escape capture.
Today a bridge has been built connecting the rocky cliffside where he made his infamous jump so you can stand in the same spot overlooking the water below.
Be sure to check out the best trips in Minnesota for the summertime!
Shop My Minnesota Summer Essentials:
Things to Do In Luverne Minnesota.
