Glimpses of the
nearly extinct
tall grass prairie
and native flowers.

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 Wildflowers Along the Byway

      Photos by Margie Meier

Shooting Star Scenic Byway and the Shooting Star Trail are just above the Iowa-Minnesota state line in SE Mower County. 

For the benefit of travelers, this clipping from a standard road map will help locate the byway and trail.

Shooting Star Scenic Byway Map

Funding for the Scenic Byway and the Trail comes from US, State and County sources.  Volunteers from the area's 4 small towns have worked tirelessly for over two decades to get the funding and to help maintain facilities.

Prairie Visions is an unusual "joint powers agreement" between the cities of Le Roy, Taopi, Adams and Rose Creek, all in Mower County.  Each city contributes an annual sum based on its population and this provides the small amount of funds for the volunteers.  Monthly meetings are always attended by 15-25 people.

The Shooting Star Scenic Byway begins on its East end just above the Iowa - Minnesota state line at US Hwy 63 and follows MN Hwy 56 along the onetime route of the Milwaukee Road line from Decorah Iowa to Austin Mn.

Some remaining original tall grass prairie flowers and plants can be found along the way. And more are being nurtured by MN Dept of Natural Resources and area  volunteers. Especially helpful are the volunteer fire departments of Adams, Rose Creek and LeRoy who help with prescribed burns to limit brush and weeds. These stimulate the occasional prairie fires of yesteryear that naturally did the same thing.