Winona County

Winona County is an administrative county in southeastern Minnesota with rolling hills, farmlands, and waterways along the Mississippi River. The area includes farming communities, several villages and towns linked by valleys and bluff shorelines.

The county was established in 1854 by the Minnesota Territorial Legislature, combining parts of Wabasha and Fillmore Counties. The name comes from a significant Ojibwe community figure.

The area has deep roots in farming and Mississippi River culture, shaping how people live and settle here. The river remains central to local traditions and outdoor activities that define the region.

Visitors find parking and road networks connecting various communities, along with easy access to natural areas along the river. Spring through fall offers the best conditions for exploring, when roads and outdoor spaces are fully open.

The area is marked by dramatic limestone formations stretching for miles along the river, creating habitats for rare plant and bird species. These geological features make it a study area for researchers interested in fluvial landscapes.

Location: Minnesota

Inception: April 4, 1854

Capital city: Winona

Shares border with: Buffalo County, Fillmore County, Houston County, Trempealeau County, Wabasha County, La Crosse County, Olmsted County

Website: http://co.winona.mn.us

GPS coordinates: 43.98000,-91.77000

Latest update: December 7, 2025 09:21