Visitor’s Guide

Our Visitor’s Guide is filled with local businesses, sports, recreation, and visitor information to help you enjoy your visit with us!

Quaint downtown areas where you will find great shops and services, restaurants and many fun activities throughout the year. (link to events calendar)

Many shops and buildings in Mora are decorated in a Swedish theme to honor our early settlers and in keeping with our sister city, Mora, Sweden. Mora, Minnesota is home to the the largest (25 foot high) Dala horse in the U.S., the Mora Klocka, Bell Tower, Ole, Kanabec History Center, and monuments in the city parks in honoring our history and heritage.

Mora Minnesota is also home of the Vasaloppet USA, started in 1972 by a small group of Mora volunteers and 96 skiers who gathered in a farm field in northern Kanabec County for the first Vasaloppet cross county ski race.

Renowned for its hometown hospitality and volunteer spirit, the Vasaloppet, which has a self-imposed limit of 3,000 skiers, now offers 58km, 58km Relay, 35km, 13km freestyle races and a 42km classic-only race. It is part of theMora Classic Series, a series of races that include cross-country skiing, canoeing, biking and a half marathon.

The four Vasaloppet races (Sweden, USA, Japan and China) have formed an International Vasaloppet Skiing Exchange designed to promote not only the four races, but to foster a better understanding of different cultures.

Since 1922 the Swedish Vasaloppet has commemorated the Swedish revolt for independence from the Danes with a 90 kilometer ski race from Salen to Mora. The first race had about 100 skiers, but today the Swedish Vasaloppet attracts nearly 50,000 skiers.

Sweden gave permission in 1972 to a small race in Mora, Minnesota to use the Vasaloppet name and in the 1980’s a race in Asahikawa Japan took the Vasaloppet name. Then in 2002 a fourth Vasaloppet race was begun; this time in Changchun, China.

Ogilvie’s claim to fame is its unique water tower. Constructed in 1918, it was one of the first reinforced concrete towers to be built in Minnesota. It is designed after the turreted castles of northern Europe. Seven window sets are located along the bottom portion of the tower, adding to its picturesque appearance.

The Ogilvie Tower was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. It is located near the center of Ogilvie. Ogilvie celebrates it’s heritage with “Back to the Tower Days” held every other year. Facebook Events Link

Major area lakes, Knife Lake, Ann Lake, and Fish Lake, as well as numerous smaller lakes and rivers are known for their excellent fishing and great for water sports activities. Nearby Lake Mille Lacs and Grindstone offer variety for the avid fisherman. Abundant with numerous wildlife areas, state, county and city parks, groomed ski and snowmobile trails our area is every outdoor enthusiast’s dream.

To have a Visitor’s Guide mailed to you, call us at 320-679-5792 or 800-291-5792. Or click here to view our Visitors Guide on-line.