Glenwood offers lake life and year-round amenities
The city of Glenwood rests along the shores of Lake Minnewaska, and there are smaller lakes throughout the surrounding community as well. These lakes are a major draw for the tourists and second homeowners who flock to the area each summer. They also provide year-round recreation for Glenwood’s many full-time residents. In addition to its summer tourism appeal, Glenwood serves as the seat of Pope County, and it's home to a hospital and the county’s only stoplight.
Lake recreation and area parks
During the summer, Lake Minnewaska’s shoreline is packed with sunbathers and swimmers, and speedboats zip past, towing water-skiers. Amelia Lake, Leven Lake and Villard Lake are nearby, providing even more opportunities to spend time on the water. “Amelia Lake has a hard bottom, so it's good for boating,” says Casey Olson, real estate agent with Real Estate by Jo who has lived in nearby Alexandria for more than eight years. “You can fish on Leven Lake and Villard Lake, but they aren’t as deep as the others, and they get pretty weedy in summer.” When the lakes freeze over, people set up trailers on the ice for fishing. “The last couple of winters have been pretty mild, so you’ve got to wait for a while,” Olson says. “During a normal winter, people are usually able to drive on the ice from early December all the way up until March.”
In addition to lake recreation, the 300-acre Barsness Park offers camping and disc golf, as well as mountain biking trails and a wildlife management area that is open to seasonal hunting. Glenwood City Park hosts summer concerts and features a playground and pickleball courts. Members of the Glacial Ridge Wellness Center have access to its indoor pool and fitness equipment.
Older homes in downtown, and a few larger houses along the lake
There are some sidewalks along central Glenwood's gridded streets, and tall maples provide shade during the warmer months. “There aren’t many big, lavish homes in town,” Olson says. “Some of the older places have been remodeled really nicely and have character.” Buyers might find lakeside cottages, ranch-style homes and farmhouses from the early 1900s to the 1980s that sell for between $100,000 and $390,000. “There are some more extravagant homes on Lake Minnewaska,” Olson says. “Cabins are slowly turning over. Pretty much the entire shoreline is developed, so people will buy older houses on the lake and rebuild them as larger homes.” In the $400,000 to $900,000 range, options may include newer builds and lakefront residences with docks. Townhouses typically sell from $350,000 to $370,000. Manufactured homes in lakeside HOAs tend to range from $60,000 to $100,000, with monthly fees around $400. Some parts of the community have public water and sewer service, but private wells and septic systems are also common. Glenwood’s CAP Index Crime Score is 2 out of 10, well below the national average of 4.
Learning through the Minnewaska Area School District
Children may attend Minnewaska Area Elementary School from preschool through third grade. The school earns a B-plus on Niche. Minnewaska Area Middle School serves fourth through eighth grades and gets a B-minus rating. Minnewaska Area High School also rates a B-minus. MAHS offers career pathways, which allow students to select electives and core classes that match their goals and interests.
Lakeside dining, wood-fired pizzas and a farmers market
Glenwood offers a variety of restaurant options. At Lakeside, diners have the option to arrive by boat. “Everything they make is excellent — the pizza, pasta and burgers,” Olson says. The Village Inn Bar & Grill serves classic pub fare and periodically hosts live music. When the weather allows, patrons can sit on the patio at Rolling Forks Vineyards, which overlooks the lake. “They have wine tasting events throughout the year, and they also serve wood-fired pizzas,” Olson says. “My favorite place there is AJ’s Bar & Grill. They have great wings and these tater tots they call golden nuggets.”
Tom's Market is the town's full-service grocery store, and there's a hardware store and a few boutiques on Minnesota Avenue. From June through October, people can shop for regional produce and goods at the Pope County Farmers Market in Glenwood. For big-box shopping, Alexandria is about 20 miles north, with a Walmart Supercenter and Target.
Events throughout the year in Glenwood
While summer is Glenwood’s busiest season, events take place throughout the year. Winterama, held in February, features a chili cook-off and a Polar Plunge in Lake Minnewaska. Its summer counterpart, Waterama, is a weekend packed with sports competitions, parades and street dances. The Pope County Fair is also held in Glenwood, featuring rodeo events and farm animal exhibits. In December, the city hosts Magical Christmas in Glenwood, a series of holiday-themed activities, including a live nativity, sleigh rides and a holiday parade.
A hospital in Glenwood, car travel to larger cities and airports
The community is relatively car dependent. State Route 29 connects the city to Alexandria and Interstate 94, both about 20 miles north. Pope County residents can also schedule weekday rides through the Rainbow Rider bus service. Medical care is available through Glenwood’s Glacial Ridge Hospital. For air travel, locals choose between Fargo Hector International Airport, about 125 miles northwest, and Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, a little over 140 miles southeast. “I prefer to fly through Fargo because it’s much easier to get in and out,” Orson says.
