For part of its route (23 miles), it runs concurrently with MN 65 in Kanabec and Aitkin counties between Woodland and Rice River Township.

Charles A. Lindbergh State Park is located immediately south of MN 27 and Little Falls on the Great River Road (CR 52).

Father Hennepin State Park is located on MN 27 at the southeast corner of Mille Lacs Lake, one mile (1.6 km) west of Isle.

At this time, it was paved from Wheaton to Herman, along its overlap with U.S. 52 from Alexandria to Osakis, and from its junction with State Highway 28 to Pierz.

[6] After the end of World War II, the remainder of the highway west of Mille Lacs Lake was paved in stages, with these portions complete by 1955.