MN/WI Resorts

Some of my extended family wants to drive out from NY and vacation near us for a week because my wife can’t get much time off this summer. Looking for any first hand experiences about resorts nearby. I have only ever been to Alexandria in the winter, and Maddens on Gull Lake Brainerd in early May.

We did an oceanfront BRBO in Delaware last summer and it was actually pretty great – there are three small kids so we spent most of the time at the beach while my wife and I sipped margaritas.

Must have’s:
-Within about 3hrs from Minneapolis
-Cabin for at least 8, maybe 10
-Full kitchen
-Sandy beach area

Would like:
-On site pontoon rentals
-Nearby hiking/historical sites
-Decent fishing
-(Maybe) small town shopping, food, etc.

Thanks!

Grandview on Gull lake is really nice. Great family atmosphere we have stayed there multiple times and it has always been great.

Vacationland on Ottertail Lake.
It might be just over 3 hours but has everything else.

I’m not sure where you’ll find a cabin that sleeps 10.

Link to Vacationland

Trev is on here and FB as well.

I would check out Ruttgers Bay Lake Lodge. 2 1/2 hours north of cities, good fishing, family atmosphere, near great bike trailes including mountain biking, has everything you are asking for. Check it out!

There are some pretty fantastic cabin/homes up north on VRBO that when split up amongst a larger group makes it really affordable and nice without the whole “resort” feel.

Depends more on if you want the full resort experience or peace and quiet with just the (extended) family. For the Resort side you’d be looking at the one’s listed as well as Cragun’s on Gull, Breezy Point, Arrowwood Resorts, Chase on the Lake, Trapper’s Landing on Leech, or the Mille Lacs resorts (Appledoorn’s has done a ton of update’s and is really nice imo).

If you want to go the quiet cabin route I’d be looking at smaller resorts or on VRBO/AirBNB. This also opens up a lot more lakes and area’s as a lot of people will offer their cabins up for the weeks they are not using it. In the Park Rapids area there are a TON of smaller resorts that would have what you need. One benefit of the smaller resorts is you could get 2 cabins right next to each other, so you have more space, yet are still “together”. A lot of our wedding guests stayed at Royal Starr Resort on 5th/6th Crow Wing and it was awesome and the owners are great. http://royalstarrresort.com/

Lotta options out there – you might want to pick a lake/area first and then try to narrow down resorts or search for VRBO.

Great options given but you could also consider Hayward, WI area. Some great lakes and quite a bit to do in the town.

It’s a ways out, but the sportshow would allow you to browse and shop multiple locations with ease. Does the ice fishing show this weekend have much in way of resort booths?

Otherwise VRBO is a great way to go. We have rented cabins from VRBO listings in both MN and WI.

Matt Moen wrote:

Great options given but you could also consider Hayward, WI area. Some great lakes and quite a bit to do in the town.

I spent several weeks of my childhood up at Treeland Resort on the Chippewa flowage, near Hayward. Its probably right at 3 hours from MPLS, but there is so much to do. I always went with my extended family and I had some of my best memories up there. I think its exactly what youre looking for, especially if youve never been to all the little shops in Hayward!

Thanks for the info! I will do some looking at the various resorts. I think there would be more activities at a resort to keep everyone happy.

If we go the cabin route I will probably just ask a friend to rent thiers – just none with sandy beaches and pretty far from towns.