Pelican Rapids Minnesota Map

About Pelican Rapids, Minnesota

Pelican Rapids is a locality in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, United States. It has a population of approximately 2,586. The population density is 386.9 people per km². Pelican Rapids is located at 46.5708°N, 96.0831°W. It observes the Central Time (America/Chicago) timezone. ZIP code: 56572.

Pelican Rapids rests where the Otter Tail River, a ribbon of cool, clear water, spills over a series of low stone formations, giving the place its name. It lies 38.6 miles east-south-east of Moorhead, MN (from Moorhead, MN: bearing 123°T), and is situated 19.9 miles north of Fergus Falls. The land here, part of the prairie's broad, generous sweep, rises and falls in gentle hills, often softened by the emerald velvet of summer fields or the stark, clean geometry of winter snow. The sky above Pelican Rapids is a vast canvas, capable of holding the fierce, electric blue of a midsummer day or the bruised, dramatic purples of an approaching storm, and the light, especially in the late afternoon, has a golden quality that seems to linger, bathing the modest storefronts and tidy homes in a warm, ephemeral glow. This is a place where the wind carries the scent of ripening grain and the distant lowing of cattle, a subtle perfume that speaks of cultivation and the deep, patient rhythms of the earth. The history of Pelican Rapids is inextricably linked to the very water that defines it, a vital artery for early settlers and a power source for mills that once hummed with industry. Its economy has long been rooted in the fertile soil surrounding it, with agriculture forming the backbone of life here, producing a bounty of corn, soybeans, and other staples that feed the nation. But Pelican Rapids is also a place that honors its heritage, a fact you can sense in the well-preserved architecture downtown and the enduring spirit of its residents, many of whom trace their ancestry back to the waves of Scandinavian immigrants who first sought their fortunes on these plains. The annual Pelican Fest, a celebration of community and local pride, draws crowds from miles around, a vibrant testament to the enduring warmth and fellowship that characterizes this corner of Otter Tail County.

About This Pelican Rapids Map Page

This page provides an embedded street and satellite map of Pelican Rapids, Minnesota — switch between views using the small square in the bottom left-hand corner of the map. Coordinates: 46.570792, -96.083112. Live weather conditions are sourced directly from the National Weather Service, with current observations and a 7-day forecast also powered by Open-Meteo. Real-time local news and world news feeds keep the page current, while a Wikipedia summary or an editorially written description provides background on Pelican Rapids and Otter Tail County.

Detailed location data for Pelican Rapids includes the ZIP code (56572), telephone area code (320), county seat of Otter Tail County (Fergus Falls), and school district assignment (Pelican Rapids Public School District). These are among the most commonly searched location details for any US city or town.

Location data is drawn from the USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) and cross-verified against 2020 US Census records by coordinate proximity — ensuring the correct Pelican Rapids is identified even where the name is shared across multiple counties or states. Population figures are sourced from the 2020 US Census.