Minnesota State Highway 26

Trunk Highway 26
MN 26 highlighted in red
Route information
Maintained by Mn/DOT
Length:	21.121 mi (33.991 km)
Existed:	1933 – present
Major junctions
South end:	Iowa 26 near New Albin, Iowa, at the Minnesota — Iowa state line
North end:	MN 16 near La Crescent
Location
Counties:	Houston
Highway system
Minnesota Trunk Highways Interstate US State Legislative routes ← MN 25 MN 27 →

Minnesota State Highway 26 (MN 26) is a state highway in southeastern corner of the U.S. state of Minnesota. At 21 miles (34 km) in length, Highway 26 runs parallel to the Mississippi River and is a portion of the Great River Road. The route begins at the Iowa state line where it continues as Iowa Highway 26 and ends at an intersection with Minnesota State Highway 16, south of La Crescent.

State Highway 26 serves as a north–south route in southeast Minnesota between La Crescent, MN and Lansing, IA. The route follows a scenic path along the Mississippi River; as such, it makes up a section of the Great River Road. Because it is located in the Driftless Area, the Mississippi carved out a deep river valley, leaving high undulating bluffs which loom 300 feet (91 m) above the highway. Highway 26 is nestled between the base of the bluffs and the river channel.

MN 26 begins at the Iowa state line near New Albin, Iowa, where Iowa Highway 26 crosses the border from the south. Immediately upon entering Minnesota, Highway 26 enters the Richard J. Dorer State Forest. For its first 7 miles (11 km), Highway 26 borders the backwaters of the Mississippi River, which lies 2 miles (3.2 km) to the east. Near Reno, the river widens at the pool behind Lock and Dam No. 8.