Round Lake - Squaw Lake

Itasca County

Round Lake is located near the city of Squaw Lake, which ironically does not contain any lakes. The largest metropolitan city is Grand Rapids which is the largest city in Itasca County. The closest commercial airport is Duluth International Airport, which is 117 miles away. The closest hospital is Essentia Health-Deer River, which is 27.6 miles away.

What to do on the water

The lake is a massive 2,860 acres in size. That is essentially the size of almost 176 tennis fields! Of course, this means that you can boat to your heart’s content as if you were on the open water. Swimming, Kayaking, Canoeing, and activities are also possible. The lake has plenty of room for anyone and everyone to have fun. There are even two resorts that offer great views, great fishing spots, and docks for paddle boats. The lake also features two public boat launches so that you can easily access the water. Fishing fans can expect to catch a great variety of fish including black bullhead, bluegill, brown bullhead, and largemouth bass. That is only a small list of species found in this lake. In total, there are up to 31 different species of fish to catch!

What lies beyond the water

While you are near Round Lake, swing by Leino's Riverside Pub to catch a drink and some grub after a thrilling day on the water. You’ll also find yourself close to Fish Tales Bar & Grill whose interior resembles a large log cabin with a large fireplace for added aesthetic. Most of the more scenic attractions are a bit off, but there are still some worth mentioning such as the Lost 40 Scientific & Natural Area whose massive trees and information stations about the local plant life will connect you with nature while you take a hike up there.

Visit Grand Rapids

If you’re interested in learning the history of logging in this part of the state, head down to the Forest History Center. You can see a recreation of a white pine logging camp from 1900, listen to stories from loggers and forest service patrolmen from different eras, or get a bird’s eye view from a 100-foot fire tower. Follow the yellow brick road to the Judy Garland Museum, where you can get a glimpse at the world’s largest Judy Garland and Wizard of Oz collection, including the world-famous ruby-red slippers from the movie. If you’re getting hungry, you can check out the great restaurants that Grand Rapids has to offer, like Mitu Srilankan and Indian Cuisine, Donkey Taqueria, and Heritage Restaurant.

Why choose Round Lake

Round Lake offers you a more secluded, but still fun experience. You not only have a massive lake, but you also have fancy resorts that offer nice food and family fun. The area surrounding it is not bad either, since there is great restaurants, and the lake is a good distance from Grand Rapids.