On the Mississippi River
MONTICELLO
COMMUNITY GUIDE 2025
Continued growth at Bertram Regional Park
Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park is the city ’ s largest park , and one that is still very much in transition .
A new phase of improvements at Bertram has focused on improving site access , with additional parking , accessibility , potable water , irrigation and pedestrian safety upgrades .
The project also included expanding the existing parking lot and adding a new parking lot . Other recent improvements include expansions of the trail system , adding drinking foundations , planting trees and installing Automated External Defibrillators ( AEDs ).
Even as the city and county work together to improve and fine tune the vast park , there are already tons of opportunities for fun to be had , with recent data showing that over 50,000 people visited Bertram in 2024 .
The 1,200-acre property includes four lakes , acres of undisturbed shoreline , natural habitat and oak forest . The property is located directly west of the city limits of Monticello along County Road 39 and 90th Street .
A parking area is available off 90th street , along the southern portion of the park that provides users access to 4 miles of hiking trails , 10 miles of single track mountain bike trails , an access to Bertram Lake and a carry-in access to Long Lake , which will allow users the opportunity to paddle Long , Mud and First Lakes .
The park already features a number of user-friendly amenities , such as a swimming beach , playground , hiking trails , singletrack mountain bike trails , fishing piers , four lakes , an amphitheater and parking .
Additional popular activities include canoeing , kayaking , nature-watching and picnicking , with more activities and facilities planned for the future . Winter activities include fat-biking , snow shoeing and cross country skiing . Summer activities include paddle board classes , canoeing excursions , kids fishing programs , guided moonlight hiking and more .
Bertram Athletic Park
The Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Athletic Park is recognized as a regional destination and city leaders believe it will continue to shape Monticello ’ s recreational future .
While the larger 1,200-acre regional park is co-owned by the City of Monticello and Wright County , the 118-acre Athletic Park within it is operated solely by the city and provides active recreation opportunities to complement the passive recreation there .
Thousands of athletes compete there each year , with available fields booked seven days a week , May through October . It accommodates soccer , lacrosse , football , baseball and cross-country events , playing host to numerous large tournaments that drive local economic activity .
Many improvements are planned for the Athletic Park , including multipurpose recreational fields , a picnic shelter , pickleball courts , additional parking , irrigation and landscaping . These upgrades are being funded through a half-cent local option sales tax , passed in 2024 , which goes into effect this year , lasting 20 years or until the $ 15 million funding limit is met — whichever comes first .
Community Guide 2025 | MONTICELLO | 13