8 Best Lakeside Towns in Minnesota
Known as the "land of 10,000 lakes," the number actually lands closer to 15,000 in Minnesota! This Midwestern state is exemplified by its abundance of quiet forests, parklands, and, of course, lakes spread all throughout it.
If you are looking for an escape into the wild this year, whether in the winter, summer, or any other season, there are countless charming towns in Minnesota that rest on the banks of these bodies of water, from the expansive Lake Superior to smaller ones in the interior. So, let's take a look at 8 of these communities that we highly recommend for your next lakeside outing.
Grand Marais
Grand Marais sits on the northern shore of Lake Superior, offering a wide range of opportunities for outdoor recreation alongside its busy marina. The town serves as a main gateway to the iconic Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, making it an ideal starting point for both paddlers and hikers looking to see the region up close.
The waterfront in town is active with fishing boats, sailboats, and visitors walking along Artists’ Point, a rocky peninsula extending into the lake. Other attractions right in town include the Cook County Historical Society Museum, which does a nice job of documenting the area’s history, including its longstanding logging and commercial fishing industries. Cultural institutions like the North House Folk School and the Grand Marais Art Colony can also be accessed here, providing hands-on workshops and creative exhibitions throughout the year.
Superior National Forest encompasses much of the countryside around Grand Marais, too, providing easy year-round access to on-land adventure, including to an extensive network of cross-country skiing trails in the winter months.
Walker
Walker rests along Walker Bay, a part of the larger Leech Lake of central Minnesota. As one of the state's largest bodies of water, it is a prime destination for fishing, boating, or simple waterfront relaxation around its lengthy shores. The anglers who flock here every year target walleye, muskie, and perch, while those who just want to boat around can explore the lake’s many bays and inlets.
The Paul Bunyan State Trail passes through town, drawing cyclists in the summer and snowmobilers in the winter, causing it to be a popular meeting point for year-round activity. Whole here, be sure to explore the quaint downtown area as well, where a number of small shops, breweries, like the Portage Brewing Company, and restaurants cater to both vacationers and residents alike. Other notable draws include local events such as the International Eelpout Festival and Moondance Jam.
Accommodations are also abundant in town. Chase on the Lake, a historic resort, has been a centerpiece of Walker’s lakeside hospitality for over a century.
Furthermore, the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe has a strong presence in the area, with the nearby Northern Lights Casino and the Cass County Museum highlighting regional history and culture for you to appreciate.
Nisswa
Nisswa is located in the heart of Minnesota’s Brainerd Lakes region, drawing visitors with its chain of lakes and a wonderful array of attractions to enjoy in the great outdoors, from world-class golf courses to gorgeous campgrounds and parks. This is another town with the Paul Bunyan State Trail running through it, and again, making it a draw for both snowmobilers and cyclists, depending on the weather
Speaking of the seasons in Nisswa, fall brings incredibly colorful foliage to the region's dense woodlands, while winter turns the area into a hub for ice-fishing. Seasonal events like the Nisswa City of Lights Festival and Winter Jubilee also keep the town lively, regardless of when you come.
However, Gull Lake is the clear centerpiece of this community. A renowned fishing hole just minutes south, this lake is also a pristine locale for flatwater exploration, whether you're canoeing, paddleboarding, or puttering around with your motorboat.
Some of Nissawa's local golf courses, including those at Grand View Lodge on the shores of Gull Lake, rank among the best in Minnesota. The lodge is also an amazing place to spend a night or two at its 3-star hotel, which also hosts an onsite spa and a pub.
Two Harbors
Two Harbors is another great little town on Lake Superior’s North Shore, about a half hour north of Duluth. Shaped by its working docks and access to rugged wilderness both on land and on the water, this town provides a living window into Minnesota's deep connection to the Great Lakes.
The local waterfront bustles with ore freighters docking at Agate Bay, while historic sites like the Edna G. Tugboat and the Two Harbors Light Station highlight the town’s longstanding maritime past. Split Rock Lighthouse, one of Minnesota’s most photographed landmarks, stands just up the coast as well. These landmarks all lie within a stone's throw of downtown, where locally owned shops and eateries line Waterfront Drive, offering a quieter alternative to the busier tourist destinations farther south.
Delve into the region's outdoor offerings in areas like Gooseberry Falls State Park, with its cascading waterfalls and hiking trails that lead to several overlooks on the Gooseberry River. Most notably, the Superior Hiking Trail runs through the region, too, attracting long-distance trekkers and day hikers alike.
In winter, Two Harbors transforms into a hub for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, with its deeply frozen shorelines offering a stark contrast to summer’s more hospitable conditions.
Detroit Lakes
Detroit Lakes anchors a region of more than 400 lakes, making it a center for water-based recreation in Minnesota. Big Detroit Lake is the focal point here, where clean beaches, marinas, and waterfront parks keep the shoreline busy in warmer months. Its mile-long city beach draws families and sunbathers, while anglers come here for the lake's variety of game fish. As seasons change, you will notice ice fishing houses appear on the lake, and snowmobile trails cut through the countryside.
The town celebrates its lakefront pride with the annual Northwest Water Carnival has been a tradition for over 80 years, featuring boat parades and water ski shows.
But beyond the lake, nearby Detroit Mountain Recreation Area offers mountain biking in warmer months and even a few ski runs in winter. Moreover, the Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge, located a short day trip north of Detroit Lakes, provides a more remote and peaceful setting for wildlife viewing and walks through its diverse forests and wetlands.
With year-round activity and a laid-back lake town atmosphere, Detroit Lakes remains a truly must-visit regional destination in the western half of the state.
Ely
Located on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Ely serves as a launch point for paddlers exploring its vast network of lakes and rivers. Canoe outfitters can conveniently be found in town, supplying you with everything needed for a proper backcountry adventure.
If you do want to spend some time in town, either before or after your trip, check Ely's own awesome assortment of attractions. For one, the International Wolf Center and North American Bear Centers, each located on either side of Ely, will educate you on the region’s predatory wildlife (perhaps a good idea to stop by before delving into the wilderness alone), while the Dorothy Molter Museum tells the story of the last resident known to live full time within the Boundary Waters area.
Downtown Ely also has all the modern comforts and amenities you could want, including gear shops, restaurants, and hotels. The Grand Ely Lodge Resort & Event Center is a particularly luxurious and picturesque accommodation on the shores of nearby Shagwa Lake. It sits beside the Pioneer Mine Museum, Ely Arts & Heritage Center, as well as being situated less than a mile from the Voyageur highway, which cuts right through the heart of town.
Fall brings vivid colors and leaf peepers to Superior National Forest, while winter transforms the area into a yet another favorite in Minnesota for cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and even dogsledding, with the annual WolfTrack Classic drawing mushers from across the country. Shagawa Lake, located on the town’s western edge, is a relaxing place for fishing and ice skating as well, making it a nice spot to find some solitude, whether casting from the shore or ice fishing.
Excelsior
Excelsior is a small city on the southern shore of the famous Lake Minnetonka, a body of water in which Prince claimed to have purifying propeties. Whether or not this is true, Excelsior's small-town character and easy access just west of Minneapolis make it one of Minnesota’s most popular lakeside towns, regardless.
The restored steamboat Minnehaha offers scenic rides, recalling the Excelsior's history as a 19th-century resort destination. On land, Excelsior Commons, a lakeside park, serves as a gathering space for concerts, picnics, and swimming at its public beach. Hiking and biking trails, including the Lake Minnetonka LRT Regional Trail, will also connect you to the surrounding landscape, where numerous other lakes can be visited.
Water Street, one of the city’s main thoroughfares, is home to local favorite establishments like the Excelsior Brewing Company, a highly recommended joint for a cold one after a long day of fun and exploration. You can grab a bite at the Coalition Restaurant too, another highly rated spot, where cocktails and tasty American fare can be enjoyed either indoors or on its streetside patio.
Brainerd
Brainerd is more well-known as a riverside destination, located on the shores of the Mississippi River, but several nearby lakes make it an idyllic place to spend some time by the water, whatever form it may take. Local lakes, such as Crosby Lake and Rice Lake, provide excellent settings for fishing, boating, and swimming, while numerous other smaller bodies are home to countless cottages, resorts, and even beachfronts, like Whipple Beach just west of town.
This town is also known for its extensive trail systems, again, with the Paul Bunyan Trail passing nearby, hosting biking, hiking, and snowmobiling routes through its scenic landscapes. Furthermore, the Northland Arboretum, just steps from dowtown Brainerd, offers simpler nature trails and educational programs on local flora and fauna.
Brainerd International Raceway adds another element of fun to this town and draws motorsport enthusiasts with events like the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals.
Enjoy Minnesota's Enormous Selection of Lakes
Whether you want to explore the rugged shores of Lake Superior or are looking for a more laid-back outing in the woods, these idyllic lakeside towns provide you with everything you could need for a fun and memorable trip this year. From historic landmarks to quiet beaches, any kind of traveller will find something to do in the land of 10,000 lakes from spring to winter.
