We love this rest area and could likely write a book from our stops here over the years. Great…read moreplace to stop with the dogs on the way south or coming home heading northbound. The Northwood Rest Area, aka Top of Iowa Rest Area, is located just off I-35 at mile marker 214. It's just south of the Minnesota border and the exits off i-35 allow traffic from both north and south to stop here. It's a large rest area with lots of parking for cars and tractor-trailers. The rest celebrates Iowa's farming heritage and the main building looks like a big red barn. Clear Lake and Mason City are south of here. If you're a fan of The Music Man by Meredith Wilson, or Frank Lloyd Wright inspired architecture, Mason City would be a fun stop. Also in the area is Clear Lake where Buddy Holly played his last concert at the Surf Ballroom (still there) and flew out of the airport for his final flight. The crash site is walkable depending on weather. The area is ADA compliant and has rest room facilities. It also has phone, TDD, a weather monitor, vending, Wi-Fi, an RV dump station. This is the rest stop I pulled into when a tornado was hot on my tail. The storm shelter is in the men's bathroom. There is a welcome center that is staffed during business hours. They used to serve coffee and had amazing cookies, but Covid messed that up. The upper level also has a gift shop - we usually buy post cards if it's during business hours. This is a great place to stop. stretch your legs and take a quick break before heading back onto the interstate.

This was a convenient redt stop off the interstate. Lots of space to walk your pet or have kids…read moreburn up energy in a safe manner. Bathrooms are clean, and there are plenty of parking spots. Vending machines should be available, but I suggest going to Kum & Go, located several 100 yards away, and getting fresh food or snacks there.

This rest stop is located southbound on I-35, south of Owatonna. I used to stop here when I…read moretravelled from Minneapolis and took the long way to get to Rochester when I was a resident. The rest stop looks the same. There's a place for your pets to stretch. Kids can play at a small playground. It's nice. The building has vending machines. Sometimes, I'd get cookies. The women's washroom has been upgraded. The stalls are roomy. It's impeccably clean. It's a decent rest stop. You can also learn about Minnesota canneries and the importance of corn in this community. (6)

I am a truck driver and decided to stop here for a break. Black man sitting on bench was told I had…read moreto leave I was making people feel uncomfortable. One star because the restroom worked.

After an hour across Minnesota, it was time for a break and this rest area was nicely timed. Easy…read moreaccess though the entrance from highway to cars was pretty much a straight line. As well, the car area was next to the highway with the trucks further away. I prefer designs that help people slow down as they come in and put the cars further away from the road. This rest area has a playground and picnic tables and plenty of space for some green before you get back on the road. There are no signs prohibiting overnight parking which is a nice plus. The building is under some reconstruction in 2023 so I expect it will be even nicer when it's complete. [Review 20714 overall - 126 in Minnesota - 1696 of 2023.]

Nice and clean rest stop. The one just south of Austin was closed so i drove 30 min to get to this…read moreone. It's morning, so u know what that means, lol.

This is a nice little rest area. We noticed an odor when we first exited the vehicle but as the…read moresigns will tell you that is because the wastewater from this location is pumped to a nearby pond and filtered with sand and peat. There is a good amount of parking and the bathrooms are clean. I also noticed a flower vase and decor in the women's restroom and the garbage being emptied while we were here so it certainly seems like this location is well taken care of. There is a vending machine and pet relief area, as well as lots of grass and picnic tables. Signs posted say that trucks can stay 10 hours in a 24 hour period but standard vehicles can remain no more than 4 hours in a 24 hour period just FYI.

followed the big swoopy drive in to discover an odd structure with an odd deck and a rather…read morepleasant view over a wooded valley that just went on and on and on; mostly green but bursts of color in the distance looking all autumny: peaceful and secure... didn't need anything here except to get out of the car for a minute because, well, you know... people in cars are the worst people and I was on the verge of becoming one of them. so instead I was a people on a deck for a little while; resting and admiring the view and the seasons and I felt a tiny bit less worse about coping with the next twelve hours of wheel time.

Another in a great line of Minnesota rest areas. If you've traveled through other states you know…read moreMn is among the cleanest and best. To divert a little. Somewhere in the middle section of Missouri the rest areas take a filthier turn with people who don't look like road travelers hanging in the parking lot and staring. In the Jackson Mi area on an overnight drive there were men running into a wooded area. I decided to shave and entered the lobby as a man was standing there with three women as they all smiled and said hello. Ok, that'll be ok. Soon as I got to the sink and taking out my shaving things the man comes up to the sink next to me...."here we go", I thought. He says.."..say you see those mighty fine ladies with me.. I could let you have a party with any that you want". This stop has a playground, a place for the dogs, spotless restroom, even in late afternoon, a wall of vending machines and just a scenic respite area. PB4UGO.

When you've got to go, you've go to go, and especially if the next rest stop after this one is many…read moremiles way. I stopped in to the Heath Creek Rest Area yesterday on the way to the Twin Cities. This place has what you need: - Easy access from and back to I-35. - Clean Rest Rooms - Drinking Water and Vending Machines - Nice Park-Like Atmosphere with Picnic Tables and Pet Walking Space. I did have one interesting experience inside of my 10-15 minutes here. Another car pulled up and one of the passengers was just behind me on the walk to the facilities. All of a sudden, he started asking me what I thought of Biden and how he was a big Trump supporter. As this was no place or time for such a discussion, I waved him off (twice) by saying that I don't talk politics in public. This just goes to show you that you never know who you'll run into at a rest stop, and it's best to always be situationally aware.

The CVT is a rail-to-trail (the historic railroads story is interesting here too). Wheel Passes are…read morerequired on the trail ($7 daily/$30 season passes)-pedestrians, wheelchairs & strollers are exempt. Lots of nice hiking & biking on this trail along the Cannon River. The CVT extends from Cannon Falls to Red Wing, with great connections to other trails (Goodhue Pioneer Trail, Mill Towns State Trail, Cannon Falls City Trail). No pets are allowed on the trail (but I have witnessed dog walkers there).

Gorgeous trail. Ran here after work on a Wednesday and essentially had the trail to myself! The…read moreleaves have just started to change down there, and the views were really beautiful. I'd like to come back soon to try biking it, since it is a very long trail and I can only get so far running (it's a taper week so I didn't go far). So if you're a biker and are looking for a quiet, pretty trail, this seems to be the place!!

Trails were well groomed. Morning it wasn't as busy. Once afternoon hit, it was much busier. At…read moreWelch rest area they had a stand to greet people and had music. Nice touch.

WONDERFULLY maintained trail. Enjoyed my time running here, starting in Red Wing and going 10 miles…read moreout and back. Was moderately busy on a weekend - mostly bikers. You do need to make a 5$ donation if you are biking that gives you a sticker to put on your bike while riding. No light posts so I wouldn't recommend going at night. Will be back!!

Great location. Rooms are always clean. Owners/staff are very friendly. Quiet place. Grocery…read morestore located within walking distance. Gas station right next door.

This place is beyond disgusting. I would never in a million years stay at this property or any…read moreother one with this name. My wife and I had to use t shirts for pillow cases because of the stains on all the pillows. Check out the attached picture of where they place the coffee makers!! Ugh. Gross.