Reads Landing Overlook
The Reads Landing Overlook is a scenic overlook on U.S. Route 61 in Pepin Township, Minnesota, United States. It goes back to 1940. For mild weather, aim for May to September (68–82°F highs).
An attraction inside Pepin Township
Winters are cold
January nights drop to 7°, with about 37" of snow a year. When to go ↓
Pepin is the nearest base
Pepin is 3 miles northwest, with 7 places to stay. Where to stay ↓
Best months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug and Sep
May, June, July, August and September are the mild months, with highs of 68–82°. When to go ↓
Established in 1940
Reads Landing Overlook dates from 1940. About ↓
Written from NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Overture places to stay, Census town figures, Wikidata and Wikipedia.
Warm months and cold ones
A visit to Reads Landing Overlook can follow the seasons below.
Reads Landing Overlook
The Reads Landing Overlook is a scenic overlook on U.S. Route 61 in Pepin Township, Minnesota, United States. It was built from 1939 to 1940 as a New Deal project to provide motorists with a scenic view of Lake Pepin. It was designed by landscape architect Arthur R. Nichols and constructed by the National Youth Administration. The overlook was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004 for its state-level significance in the themes of landscape architecture and politics/government. It was nominated for exemplifying the early highway waysides built in Minnesota with federal work relief aid, and for exemplifying as well National Park Service rustic style and the work of Nichols.
- Type
- Attraction
- Area
- 4 acres
- Established
- 1940
- Elevation
- 781 ft
- Listed
- National Register of Historic Places (2004)
Where to base yourself for Reads Landing Overlook
Rooms are nearest in Pepin (7) and Alma (13), and Rochester has the most rooms in the area (79).
Rochester
The most places to stay in the area, and a base for a longer trip.
124,292 people
33 mi southwest of Reads Landing Overlook
Compare 9 towns
| Town | From Reads Landing Overlook | Drive | Places to stay | People | Typical home | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepin Township | in town | — | 2 1 inn or B&B · 1 campground | 374 | $303K | — |
| Pepin | 3 mi northwest | 5 min | 7 1 hotel · 2 motels · 1 inn or B&B · 2 lodges & cabins · 1 campground | 743 | $209K | — |
| Alma | 11 mi southeast | 15 min | 13 3 hotels · 1 motel · 6 inns & B&Bs · 1 lodge or cabins · 2 campgrounds | 718 | $178K | — |
| Wabasha | 4 mi southeast | 5 min | 6 3 hotels · 1 inn or B&B · 1 campground · 1 RV park | 2,599 | $262K | C+ |
| Lake City | 9 mi west | 15 min | 6 1 motel · 3 inns & B&Bs · 2 campgrounds | 5,306 | $239K | B+ |
| Stockholm 34% vacation homes | 10 mi northwest | 15 min | 3 2 hotels · 1 campground | 87 | $288K | — |
| Nelson | 7 mi east | 10 min | 2 1 hotel · 1 lodge or cabins | 581 | $302K | — |
| Red Wing | 27 mi northwest | 40 min | 19 11 hotels · 1 motel · 6 inns & B&Bs · 1 RV park | 16,805 | $237K | C |
| Rochester | 33 mi southwest | 50 min | 79 69 hotels · 3 motels · 4 lodges & cabins · 2 campgrounds · 1 RV park | 124,292 | $311K | C+ |
Getting there
Nearest airports with airline service
More to see nearby
Other well-known places within 70 miles.
Big draw69 mi Stadium & arenaU.S. Bank Stadium
61 mi Stadium & arenaGrand Casino Arena
67 mi Stadium & arenaHuntington Bank Stadium
70 mi Stadium & arenaTarget Field
64 mi Theme parkNickelodeon Universe
64 mi Stadium & arenaAllianz Field
62 mi LandmarkFort Snelling
70 mi LakeBde Maka SkaPhoto credits
U.S. Bank Stadium: Darb02, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Grand Casino Arena: AlexiusHoratius, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Huntington Bank Stadium: Lectrician2, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Target Field: Lectrician2, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Nickelodeon Universe: Tyler Vigen, CC BY 4.0 · Allianz Field: Andy Witchger, CC BY 2.0 · Fort Snelling: en:User:The Statue With The Dictionary, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Bde Maka Ska: Tyler Vigen, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Reads Landing Overlook: what to know
Is Reads Landing Overlook in Pepin Township?
Yes. It’s inside Pepin Township, MN.
When is the best time to visit Reads Landing Overlook?
May, June, July, August and September, with highs of 68–82°.
How far is Reads Landing Overlook from St. Paul and Minneapolis?
About 62 miles northwest of St. Paul and about 69 miles northwest of Minneapolis, as the crow flies.
What is the closest airport to Reads Landing Overlook?
Rochester (RST), about 40 miles away. The nearest big hub is Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport / Wold–Chamberlain Field (MSP), about 64 miles.
Where should I stay near Reads Landing Overlook?
Pepin (3 mi, 7 places to stay), Alma (11 mi, 13 places to stay) and Wabasha (4 mi, 6 places to stay).
Advice from Pepin Township
Questions and tips go in Pepin Township’s Town Square.
Sources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · NOAA climate normals · U.S. Census.