What is a good family resort on Mille Lacs to park a camper for the season? I want to be on/near the water. Must have a pool for the kids. I emailed two different places and have not heard back. Im assuming the economy has recovered on Mille Lacs, so no-one is responding to emails. I contacted Petes Family Retreat and Mille Island Resort. If you guys could be of any help, id appreciate it!
Likely on vacation before the show season starts. Pick-up the phone and call them.
Never even heard of Pete’s? Regardless, as many as there are camper/RV/fish house parks as there are that surround that lake, you’ll be very hard pressed to find anything on the water or near the water. And you’ll have much better chance at catching a keeper walleye out there than finding a campground with a swimming pool. There may be one or two.
Steve Kulifaj at Red Door was telling me of grandiose plans of adding a swimming pool to their resort but we’ll see if and when that might happen. Plus he’s more or less filled at their RV spots. The Wharf is offering spots, but no pool.
Good Luck!
Mille Lacs Island Resort does have a pool but they are not letting camper/RV’s in anymore for seasonal lots and some of the older camper/RV’s that are in there are being slowly purged out for the newer park models. Occasionally there are opportunities to buy a newer camper/RV in the resort… Great resort to be at though.
Petes will be the only option for both the pool and camper near Mille Lacs.
-J.
So you guys are saying, all the resorts crying for business a year ago, have done nothing to bring more business in?
Any other recommendations besides Mills Lacs?
When talking about Petes and Mille Lacs Island, this is pretty much off season. No ice business, no bar. You would be better off calling and leaving a message for info. They may be on vacation somewhere south!
There are other things going on. Appledorns for golf. McQuoids for ATV rentals. If that floats your boat.
Remember, resorts that cater to seasonal RV are not making much. Campers tend to bring up all of their own food, beer, bait. Complain a lot I’m told…. 
Pretty much the reason Red Door and Appledorns dumped the RV business.
Resorts are still hurting. They will until the state and DNR get a decent keeper slot set in place. Not too many want to take a launch boat trip for C&R.
I could ramble on and on…. 
-J.
Pool or beach?
Never heard of anyone wanting a pool up north, unless you’re the shwanky type.
So you guys are saying, all the resorts crying for business a year ago, have done nothing to bring more business in?
Any other recommendations besides Mills Lacs?
The resorts are doing a ton of things to bring in business, but adding a pool I am sure is a long way down the list.
I have been at the Wharf for 23 years and have never seen so much change to become more of an all around resort as apposed to a fishing resort that it use to be.
I’m open to a swim beach! We have stayed at a few vrbo on the lake and it’s always been rocky shoreline
Does the wharf have a swim beach?
Depending on the drive your looking at Balsam beach resort near Bemidji has everything your looking for
Does the wharf have a swim beach?
Kind of… the shoreline is rocky but once you get to the water it’s pure sand out about 2-300 yards and less than 4′ deep that far out.
We have a 1,3 and 9 year old. Just trying to make it fun for everyone, without being “shwanky”
Does the wharf have a swim beach?
IMO
North MilleLacs = Best Beach in MN
IMO
North MilleLacs = Best Beach in MN
No doubt, only thing lacking is any resorts along that stretch of beach. Might be a good thing though?
The resorts are doing a ton of things to bring in business, but adding a pool I am sure is a long way down the list.
I have been at the Wharf for 23 years and have never seen so much change to become more of an all around resort as apposed to a fishing resort that it use to be.
I would certainly agree, the Wharf perhaps has done the most to promote their business by hosting some kind of event almost every weekend and is very kid friendly with kid events on certain weekends in the summer. They are perhaps the most complete resort on the lake with the restaurant and bar (Toucan’s) open year ’round every day of the week, ice fishing operation with sleeper house rentals, a launch boat during open water season as well as the RV campground. That and they have been advertising they have seasonal openings.
I’m at Fishers Resort and we love it. I have a 5 yr old and 1 yr old and they could play on the beach all day. Might have to get on a waiting list for a spot though. Pete’s Retreat has a nice pool (I’m told) but then you’re off the lake, which wouldn’t work for me.
Thanks for the kind words lindyrig.
David, here at Fishers Resort we are a family oriented resort with 73 seasonal RV sites. We are currently full at the moment but if you would like we can put you on a waiting list. If you are looking for something this summer I can not guarantee an opening because we have quite a few on the list.
As was said earlier Petes Retreat is only a mile away from us and that is a very nice kid friendly campground. They do have an adult and kids pool. We have some of their customers get a seasonal ramp pass at our resort to launch their boat for the year.
Another option is Wealthwood Estates golf course west of Malmo on HWY 18. They put in some sites last fall and should still have openings. They are not on the lake but they are right across the highway. They are located between Red Door Resort and Barnacles Resort so you could launch your boat there if needed.
If you need any other info give us a call.
Fishers Resort
Dean Fisher
To coat tail off this thread. We are looking at purchasing an existing park model at one of the sites up there. Looking strongly at Mille Lacs Island Resort and Sherwood Forest.
Would love to hear reviews from others who stay at either location. The Island resort is a bit more appealing due to the easy access to the lake, however, I am not opposed to launching my boat each time I take it out.
Kid friendly reviews are also good. Is there other fun stuff around as well?
To coat tail off this thread. We are looking at purchasing an existing park model at one of the sites up there. Looking strongly at Mille Lacs Island Resort and Sherwood Forest.
Would love to hear reviews from others who stay at either location. The Island resort is a bit more appealing due to the easy access to the lake, however, I am not opposed to launching my boat each time I take it out.
Kid friendly reviews are also good. Is there other fun stuff around as well?
It depends on what you want in a getaway. Between those two, I think Sherwood Forest would have a better up north feel.
Things that I would think about:
Space? Trees? Sherwood Forest will have larger lots with trees.
Lake view?
Marina?
I know you mentioned not worried about having to drop your boat in each use but once you are there it may look different.
How often do you plan to be on the lake? I have a buddy who mostly fishes once a day, in the evening, family event. He’d be fine with launching daily, but he will also go out during the day for a joy ride, take the kids tubing, take the kids for a swim (he heads for protected deeper water for swimming to avoid the possibility of swimmers itch), take the family to grab a bite to eat by boat?
Entertaining? You are going for a boat ride. Get used to it.
To do those things will you want to cross 169 and strap down the boat every time for each launch? Much of that you can probably get around by adding a slip, at what cost?
I underestimated the personal value of an unobstructed lake view. I’d keep that in mind when looking at any place.
The Island will probably be more congested. Smaller lot sizes with basically no trees. More city like.
Create a list of other amenities you may be interested in.
Golfing opportunities nearby?
Hunting?
Movie theater?
Grocery store? This is something you will use and is probably a horse a piece between the casino and Teals in Isle.
Restaurants and bars?
Just some things for you to think about while you look around.
Another thing to think about is access to other lakes. There are a ton of other smaller lakes to the west and north of Mille Lacs.
Being on the SSE end of ML leaves these other options requiring a little more planning instead of on a whim.
South Isle Family Campground might have a seasonal site? They have a nice pool, too many activities to list. My kids loved the train rides and hayrack rides every day. Golf course across the street. 10 minutes your in the parking lot at the landing.Send them an email as the owners are down south, their kids are running the place also.
Hi David Blais-
Just re reading an old thread .
Did u ever put a camper somewhere on Mille Lacs?
If so what can share with us?
MM
I did not.
We are at Barnacles. It has been known to be a party campground .. but that has shifted. We have been there three years now, and it has become more family orientated. There are a couple weekends that get a little rowdy, but not bad (typical of most holiday weekends).
There is a swimming beach with great sand and it is shallow. Marina to keep your boat, if needed. Campground is clean (not sure how many spots are currently open). Shower house. They also have a “dry” campground in the back … typically fishhouses with power that people stay at over the summer then have access to the shower house.
Also have a bar. Works for us.
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