Mille Lacs Area

One of Minnesota’s Best Escapes

Many have made Mille Lacs Lake their weekend getaway or full-time home, given its proximity to Brainerd and the Twin Cities.

Just a short drive away, Brainerd provides Essential Health Hospital along with tons of restaurants, shops, and hotels.

Minneapolis and Saint Paul are under 100 miles from the lake. The lively city scene houses the famous Mall of America along with renowned breweries and award-winning restaurants. It also has good facilities like the Minneapolis-Saint Paul Airport and East Bank Hospital.

Lake Activity of All Kinds

Mille Lacs Lake covers a total of 132,500 acres, making it the second-largest lake in the state. Its reputation as one of the best fishing lakes brings in visitors from all over the country.

Its many lakeside resorts and rentals bring in a steady influx of visitors. Although, it does have a large community of people that stay for every season.

Summer is filled with various lake activities: powerboating, pontooning, tubing, kayaking, canoeing, and swimming. Its strong winds attract sailors, windsurfers, and kite-boarders.

There is an excellent selection of marinas around the shore if you are looking to rent a boat or have one serviced.

Mille Lacs isn’t the only lake in the region; Long Lake, Platte Lake, Sullivan Lake, Turtle Lake, and several others are nearby. These smaller bodies of water offer the same activities with a more relaxed atmosphere.

The Perfect Place for a Winter Vacation

Mille Lacs and its surrounding forests offer endless activities for the perfect winter adventure. The lake is typically frozen by December and has ice as thick as two to four feet. People go ice-fishing and spearing for the lake’s trophy-size walleye.

Terry’s Boat Harbor, The Red Door Resort, Randy’s Rentals, Hunter Winfield’s Resort, and many others offer large ice-house rentals. Mille Lacs Kathio State Park features well-groomed trails for snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.

State Park and Nearby Attractions

Feather Hennepin State Park offers the area’s largest lake beach, though it does resemble one like you would see on the ocean. Besides the beach, the park has over 300 acres of hardwood forest. While hiking its trails, you might spot one of its rare albino whitetail deer.

Visit Grand Casino Mille Lacs for gaming, entertainment, dining, golfing, or getting pampered at the spa.

Some of the State’s Best Lake Property

Between the lakes, cities, and the great outdoors, there will never be a shortage of things to do in the area.