Top 13 Best Lake Towns in Minnesota Ranked
Growing up in Minnesota, lake life wasn’t a vacation. It was just life. To this day, we spend our summers on the water and our winters ice fishing. So when people ask us for the best lake towns in Minnesota, we have a LOT of opinions.
Minnesota has over 10,000 lakes (11,842 to be exact), so narrowing this list down to just 13 was painful. But after years of exploring the state and hearing from thousands of fellow Minnesotans, we’re confident in this ranking.
Here are the 13 best lake towns in Minnesota, ranked from great to absolute best.
13: BREEZY POINT
Breezy Point is one of those lake towns that revolves almost entirely around the Breezy Point Resort.
Located on the shores of Pelican Lake in the Brainerd Lakes area, this town has been a Minnesota vacation staple for over 100 years. The resort itself is massive, with 250+ rooms ranging from hotel-style accommodations to full condos with fireplaces and hot tubs.
If you visit, you have to hop on the Breezy Belle, a paddlewheel boat that cruises around Pelican Lake. It’s a little cheesy, but all in good fun.
The golf courses are also well known up here, and the Paul Bunyan Trail runs right through town for biking and snowmobiling.
One thing to know is that Breezy Point can feel like a resort bubble. If you’re looking for a walkable downtown with shops and restaurants, this isn’t really it.
But if you want a classic Minnesota lake resort experience where you don’t have to leave the property, it delivers.
Where To Stay In Breezy Point
#12: PEQUOT LAKES
Located in the northern part of the Brainerd Lakes area, Pequot Lakes is surrounded by pristine lakes, tall pines, and some surprisingly great restaurants for a town this size. The Paul Bunyan Trail runs right through downtown, which makes it a perfect stop if you’re biking the trail.
One of the coolest parts of Pequot Lakes is the water tower, which is a giant fishing bobber. They call themselves “Bobber Town.”
For dining, check out Norway Ridge Supper Club. It’s been open since 1948 and their Friday smoked ribs are worth the trip alone.
In the winter, Pequot Lakes is a hub for ice fishing. You can rent an ice house, drive out onto a frozen lake, and spend the day catching walleye. It’s about as Minnesota as it gets.
The downtown area is small but cute, with enough shops and restaurants to keep you busy for an afternoon. Have kids with you? Bring them to the library. It’s one of our favorite outings.
Where To Stay In Pequot Lakes
Quick Links: What To Pack for Minnesota
- Bug spray (nontoxic recommendation)
- Moisture-wicking layers (women, men)
- A waterproof outer shell (women, men)
- Water shoes or sandals for lake days (women, men)
- A dry bag or waterproof pouch (recommendation)
- Sunscreen (nontoxic recommendation)
#11: LAKE CITY
Lake City holds a pretty cool title.. it’s the birthplace of water skiing.
Back in 1922, a 19-year-old named Ralph Samuelson strapped on a pair of homemade pine boards and rode across Lake Pepin for the first time ever.
Every summer, the town celebrates with Water Ski Days, a festival with live music, a carnival, food trucks, a parade, and of course, water skiing demonstrations.
Lake Pepin itself is actually the widest natural point of the Mississippi River, and it’s gorgeous. You can charter a sailboat with Sail Pepin, rent a kayak, or just hang out at Ohuta Park and Beach and watch the boats go by.
Lake City has a nice little downtown with shops and restaurants, and the bluff country scenery surrounding it is some of the prettiest in the state.
It feels different from the typical “up north” lake town because, well, it’s in southeastern Minnesota. The landscape is more rolling bluffs and river valleys than pine forests and loons.
If you’re coming from the Twin Cities, it’s only about 90 minutes, which makes it one of the easiest lake getaways on this list.
Note: Lake City can get windy. Lake Pepin is known for it. If you’re planning to be on the water, check the forecast first.
Where To Stay In Lake City
#10: BEMIDJI
You can’t talk about Minnesota lake towns without mentioning Bemidji. It’s home to the most famous Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox statues in the state, and it sits right on Lake Bemidji, which feeds into the Mississippi River.
Bemidji is also the largest town on this list, which is both a pro and a con. You’ll have no trouble finding restaurants, shops, and things to do. But it doesn’t have the same quaint, small-town feel that some of the other towns on this list offer.
That said, the outdoor recreation here is incredible. Lake Bemidji State Park has a great beach, solid hiking trails, and a neat bog walk. Within 25 miles of town, there are over 400 fishable lakes.
And the Paul Bunyan State Trail, which is the longest continuously paved rail-trail in the country at 115 miles, starts right here.
In the winter, Bemidji transforms into a snowmobile and cross-country skiing paradise with over 500 miles of snowmobile trails alone.
Pro Tip: Itasca State Park is only 25 miles south of Bemidji. You can walk across the headwaters of the Mississippi River there!
Where To Stay In Bemidji
#9: WABASHA
Wabasha flies under the radar compared to other towns on this list, and that’s part of what makes it special.
Located at the foot of Lake Pepin on the Mississippi River, Wabasha is the town where “Grumpy Old Men” was set (you’ll see signs at the city limits). But beyond the movie connection, this is a genuinely charming river town with over 50 preserved historic buildings downtown.
The big draw here is the National Eagle Center, where you can see rescued bald eagles up close. Lake Pepin is a popular hangout for eagles, especially during fall migration, so if you visit in October or November, you’ll likely spot them in the wild too.
Wabasha also has a great marina and municipal boat docks right on the river. Kayaking on Lake Pepin from here is amazing, and the bluff country views from the water are jaw-dropping.
Wabasha feels more like a river town than a lake town, so if you’re looking for that classic Minnesota “cabin on the lake” vibe, this isn’t it. But if you want something different and a little more off the beaten path, Wabasha is a real treat.
Where To Stay In Wabasha
#8: DETROIT LAKES
Detroit Lakes is one of those Minnesota summer destinations that doubles in population once the weather warms up. And for good reason.
The town sits on Lake Detroit and has a mile-long public beach that’s one of the best in the state. In the summer, it’s packed with families, swimmers, and people just soaking up the sun.
The Thomas Dammo Trolls, these huge whimsical wooden sculptures scattered around the region, are also a fun thing to track down if you’re exploring with kids.
Detroit Lakes is probably best known for WE Fest, a massive country music festival that draws around 50,000 people every August. If that’s your thing, it’s a lot of fun. If it’s not, maybe avoid Detroit Lakes that particular weekend.
Outside of the festival, Detroit Lakes has a solid downtown with restaurants and shops, and the lake itself is great for boating, fishing, and water sports. It’s a good all-around lake town, but it can feel a bit touristy in peak season.
Where To Stay In Detroit Lakes
#7: TWO HARBORS
Located about 25 miles north of Duluth on the North Shore, Two Harbors is best known for agate hunting (our favorite pastime).
The pebbly shoreline at Agate Bay Beach is where you’ll find people hunched over, scanning the rocks for Lake Superior agates. It’s oddly addictive once you start.
The Two Harbors Lighthouse is the oldest continuously operating lighthouse in Minnesota, and you can tour it from May through October. Down at the harbor, you can see the Edna G, the last coal-fired steam tugboat on the Great Lakes.
Two Harbors is also perfectly located for day trips. Gooseberry Falls State Park and Split Rock Lighthouse are both about 20 minutes up the shore, and they’re two of the most iconic spots in the entire state.
The town itself has some great craft breweries and restaurants. Castle Danger Brewery is a must-stop.
Note: Lake Superior water is cold. Like, really cold. Even in August. If you’re expecting a warm swim, this isn’t where you’ll find it.
Where To Stay In Two Harbors
#6: CROSSLAKE
Crosslake sits on the Whitefish Chain of Lakes, which is 14 interconnected lakes spanning over 14,000 acres.
The town itself is small and charming, with a cute downtown and a laid-back feel that’s hard to beat. It doesn’t have the resort-heavy vibe of Nisswa or Breezy Point, which is actually a positive if you’re looking for something more low-key.
The National Loon Center is located here, which is fitting because you’re going to hear a LOT of loons at night. If you’ve never fallen asleep to the sound of loons calling across a lake, Crosslake is the place to do it.
Fishing on the Whitefish Chain is excellent, especially for walleye, northern, and crappie. And in the winter, the ice fishing scene here is really solid.
One random but awesome thing about Crosslake is they throw what might be the best St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the state. It’s become a huge deal up here, and people come from all over for it.
#5: NISSWA
Nisswa and the Gull Lake area are basically the heart of Minnesota lake country, and there’s a reason so many families have been coming here for generations.
Gull Lake is nearly 10,000 acres with 40 miles of shoreline, and the water is clean and beautiful.
The resort options around here are some of the best in the state. Grandview Lodge, Cragun’s, and Madden’s are all legendary Minnesota resorts with golf courses, dining, and lake access.
The town of Nisswa itself is small but very fun. The famous Nisswa Turtle Races happen every Wednesday in the summer, and kids absolutely love it.
Downtown has enough shops to fill a whole afternoon, and there are plenty of restaurants and bars along the strip.
Gull Lake also hosts the largest ice fishing contest in Minnesota, which draws thousands of people and gives out some serious prize money.
Nisswa can feel a little pricey and a little crowded compared to other lake towns on this list. The resorts are amazing, but they aren’t cheap. And in peak summer, you’ll be sharing the lake with a lot of other boats.
If you want the full Minnesota resort experience and don’t mind spending a bit more, Nisswa is hard to beat. If you want something quieter, keep reading.
Where To Stay In Nisswa
#4: WALKER
If you’re a fisherman (or if you travel with one), Walker needs to be on your radar.
Walker sits on the shores of Leech Lake, which is the third largest lake in Minnesota at over 100,000 acres. Leech Lake is famous for walleye fishing, and it consistently ranks as one of the best walleye lakes in the entire Midwest.
But Walker isn’t just for fishermen. The town has a charming downtown, the Paul Bunyan State Trail runs through for biking, and Chase on the Lake is a historic resort that’s been hosting guests for over 100 years.
The thing that makes Walker unique is the winter ice fishing scene. Walker Bay fills up with ice houses every winter, and the town hosts the International Eelpout Festival, which is exactly what it sounds like.
It’s a festival dedicated to catching eelpout (a bottom-dwelling fish that most people have never heard of), and it’s one of the most uniquely Minnesota events you’ll ever attend.
Mike would live on Leech Lake if I let him. The fishing really is that good.
Where To Stay In Walker
#3: PARK RAPIDS
Park Rapids might have the most charming main street of any small town in Minnesota.
The streets are unusually wide here, and there’s a reason for it. Back in the logging days, they had to be wide enough to turn a team of horses pulling long timber wagons. That’s still visible today, and it gives the whole downtown a welcoming feel.
You’ll find boutiques, antique shops, a candy store, an old-fashioned soda fountain, and a movie theater right on main street.
Park Rapids is surrounded by over 70 lakes, so you’ll have no shortage of water to explore. And if you like biking, the Heartland State Trail is one of the oldest rail-to-trail conversions in the state, running 49 miles through gorgeous countryside.
But the real reason Park Rapids makes it this high on the list is Itasca State Park. This is where the Mississippi River begins.
You can literally walk across the headwaters of the mighty Mississippi. It’s shallow enough that the water barely reaches your ankles.
Every Minnesotan should experience this at least once, and it’s even cooler when you realize this tiny stream eventually becomes the massive river that runs all the way to the Gulf of Mexico.
Park Rapids doesn’t sit directly on one major lake the way some other towns on this list do, but the combination of the downtown, the trail, and the proximity to Itasca make it one of the best lake towns in Minnesota.
Where To Stay In Park Rapids
#2: ELY
Ely is the gateway to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, and that alone puts it near the top of any Minnesota lake town list.
The Boundary Waters is over one million acres of pristine wilderness with more than 1,100 lakes and 100-plus portage trails. It’s one of the most incredible outdoor destinations in the entire country, and Ely is one of the places you can gain access to it.
The town is full of outfitters who will set you up with everything you need for a canoe trip, from gear to maps to guided tours.
But even if you’re not paddling into the Boundary Waters (which you should), Ely is still worth the trip. Shagawa Lake is right in town and the fishing is excellent, especially for walleye, northern, and smallmouth bass.
The International Wolf Center is also here, and you can see a resident wolf pack up close. It’s one of the coolest wildlife experiences in the Midwest.
In the winter, Ely becomes a hub for dogsledding and cross-country skiing. It’s remote and it’s cold, but that’s kind of the point.
If you love the outdoors and want to feel like you’re truly getting away from it all, there is no better place in Minnesota than Ely.
Where To Stay In Ely
#1: GRAND MARAIS
If you’ve never been to Grand Marais, you need to fix that.
This tiny town of about 1,300 people sits on the shores of Lake Superior and was recently named America’s Best Small Lake Town by Travel + Leisure. And they got it right.
Grand Marais is surrounded on three sides by the largest freshwater lake in the world (by surface area – sorry Baikal!), and the views are absolutely jaw-dropping.
Artists Point juts into the lake and is one of the most photographed spots in Minnesota. The pictures are beautiful, but it’s even more stunning in person.
What surprised me about Grand Marais is the arts and food scene. For a town this small, the number of galleries, restaurants, and shops is kind of mind-blowing.
The North House Folk School offers classes in traditional crafts, and the Grand Marais Arts Festival in early July draws over 60 juried artists from across the country.
Grand Marais is also a gateway to Superior National Forest, which means you’re surrounded by hiking trails, waterfalls, and some of the best fall color in the Midwest. If you visit in September or October, the drive up the North Shore is unreal.
Grand Marais can feel crowded in peak season, but with its combination of natural beauty, culture, and charm, no other lake town in Minnesota can match.
This is the best lake town in the state, and it’s not particularly close.
Where To Stay In Grand Marais
The Wrap-Up
Minnesota lake towns are some of the best in the country, and we might be a little biased, but we think they’re the best in the world.
Whether you’re looking for world-class fishing on Leech Lake, a paddling adventure into the Boundary Waters, or just a charming main street to stroll down with an ice cream cone, this state has a lake town for you.
