☀️ the official minnesota state of being -





explore minnesota | minnesota explorer | the lakes (and loons) are calling | woman in orange swimsuit swimming underwater, a pontoon boat floats above [ [link removed] ]





just add water

hot days and cool lakes

This is your sign to grab a bag of Old Dutch, hop in the lake and stay there til your fingers prune. Whether you're jumping off the dock or perfecting the fine art of not spilling your drink on a floatie, this is peak lake life, and you shouldn't trade it for all the Jello salad in the world.

 

*SOAK IT UP* [ [link removed] ]






boating on gull lake [ [link removed] ]





make every stay a shore thing

Nothing says "Minnesotan summer" like a weekend at the lake, preferably with a cold beverage in one hand and a s’more in the other. Whether you’re channeling romance, a luxe lakeside retreat or a place where the whole crew (tiny humans included) can run wild, we’ve rounded up the best resorts to soak up that lake life. Pack your sunnies and make some memories.

 

*FIND YOUR LAKE ESCAPE* [ [link removed] ]






a family sitting outside on a covered deck with food and drinks. A lake with boats, trees, and a dock is their view. [ [link removed] ]





you can't sip with us (unless it's lakeside)

It's not like a "regular" dining experience, it's a "cool" dining experience. So call your crew, because on Wednesdays, we cheers by the water. From classic supper clubs to contemporary seafood restaurants, we've got you covered.

 

*ENJOY WATERFRONT DINING* [ [link removed] ]






A log cabin with a red roof. Patio chairs line the ground level deck with large rocks in the foreground. White puffy clouds pepper the dark blue sky. [ [link removed] ]





cannonballs, coolers & cabin rentals

Whether you're looking for an escape by a lake or a rustic vacation deep within the woods, Minnesota is one of the best states for booking unforgettable cabin getaways. Think hammocks, loon calls and maaaybe just enough wifi to check the forecast before you explore (or relax) for the day.

 

*GET YOUR CABIN ON* [ [link removed] ]






embracing lake life

HOW TO MAKE A SPLASH THIS SUMMER

Around here, summer days revolve around the water. Lakes are where memories are made, sunscreen is applied heavily and time slows down in the best way. Lean into a special kind of soundtrack, one that blends the hum of a boat motor, the splash of a fish tail and the chirping of a flock of birds. Ready to dive in?

 

a net filled with shiny crappies. [ [link removed] ]

fishing

Minnesota offers some of the country's best freshwater fishing in our many lakes. There are endless opportunities for charter fishing on Lake Superior, Lake Mille Lacs, and Lake of the Woods or contact a fishing guide to outfit you with the gear and show you the best spots. Find plenty of places to go fishing from the shoreline, including Minnesota’s largest fishing pier (612-feet to be exact) on Dower Lake in Staples, the new Panoway Lakewalk on Lake Minnetonka in Wayzata, and more.

 

Make sure to get your *fishing license* [ [link removed] ] from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources before you wet a line. A license is not required if you fish within Minnesota’s *state park system [ [link removed] ]*.

 

*DISCOVER WHERE TO FISH >> [ [link removed] ]*

 

a large group of people swimming in a lake with white sailboats in the background. [ [link removed] ]

swimming

Nearly all of Minnesota’s lakes are safe to swim in. Some of the most popular beaches in the state are Park Point in Duluth on Lake Superior (dubbed the "world's largest freshwater sandbar"), Hok-Si-La Municipal Park and Campground in Lake City on Lake Pepin, Father Hennepin State Park on Mille Lacs Lake, Zippel Bay State Park on Lake of the Woods, McCarthy Beach State Park on Sturgeon Lake, Detroit Lake Public Beach in Detroit Lakes, and Cedar Lake East Beach (known to locals as “Hidden Beach”).

 

*FIND A LAKE & A GOOD BOOK >> [ [link removed] ]*

 

five people walking on a dock back to shore, their pontoon tied to the dock. [ [link removed] ]

boating

Boating is another popular pastime on Minnesota’s waterways. Motorized and non-motorized boats are available for rent on many lakes. Find some of the best places to *kayak or canoe [ [link removed] ]* in Minnesota, *paddle board [ [link removed] ]*, or *paddle with kids [ [link removed] ]*. There are also great places to *canoe or kayak [ [link removed] ]* in the middle of the city on one of Minneapolis’ beautiful lakes. According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association, Minnesota ranks second in the nation with a whopping 822,450 registered watercraft (over 10 feet) right behind Florida.

 

HOP ON A HOUSEBOAT >> [ [link removed] ]

 

*PLAN YOUR SUMMER FUN* [ [link removed] ]











weekend getaway

BRAINERD LAKES





girl in a black life jacket and black shorts wakeboards on a lake. [ [link removed] ]



Cruise Gull Lake via Cragun's or take a crash course in wake surfing or water skiing at Madden's.





*GET THE FULL ITINERARY* [ [link removed] ]











Video still of two women in sports gear, baseball caps, and shorts, fishing off the side of a boat. [ [link removed] ]





travel inspiration

YOUR EPIC FISHING TRIP IS HERE

 


* Skip rocks where the Mississippi River begins (also located in Minnesota’s oldest state park!)


*

Catch a colossal walleye with a charter boat fishing guide

 


* Send a postcard from the northernmost post office in the contiguous United States

 

*PLAN NOW* [ [link removed] ]











fun fact corner

FOR THE MINNESOTA TRIVIA FANATIC

 

there are a whopping 1,175 lakes in the boundary waters alone! the lakes vary in size from 10 to 10,000 acres and contain more than 1,200 miles of canoe routes.

DIVE INTO 3 (OF MANY) RESORTS NEAR THE BOUNDARY WATERS >> [ [link removed] ]










our partners

CLICK-WORTHY SPONSORED CONTENT

 

Find Local with Minnesota Grown. Search our Directory. Photo closeup of orange flowers. [ [link removed] ]





Historic Adventures MNHS Begin Here. Minnesota Historical Society photo of a family looking at cows. [ [link removed] ]





Farm Aid 40th anniversary. September 20, 2025, Minneapolis MN. [ [link removed] ]





2025 Minnesota Renaissance Festival, Minnesota Family Tradition Fit for Royalty. Tickets on sale now! [ [link removed] ]










related content

MORE SUMMER ADVENTURES

 

?? *Check out Minnesota's best vacation rentals >> [ [link removed] ]*

 

?? *Hear how fishing is being introduced to underserved communities >> [ [link removed] ]*

 

?? *Discover Minnesota's only salt lake >> [ [link removed] ]*

 






"from top to bottom: Cass Lake in Chippewa National Forest on Leech Lake Reservation, photo by Paul Vincent  |  Boating on Gull Lake, photo by Paul Vincent  |  Bar Harbor Supper Club in Lake Shore, photo by Paul Vincent  |  White Eagle Resort on Lake Vermilion by Cook, photo by Lindsey Ranzau  |  Fishing in the Bemidji area, photo by Brady Laudon and Dick Beardsley  |  Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis, photo by Minneapolis Parks  |  Fairmont's Chain of Lakes in Fairmont, photo by Blaze Air courtesy of Visit Fairmont  |  Madden's on Gull Lake in Brainerd, photo by Andrew Parks  |  Lake of the Woods with Arnesen's Rocky Point Resort in Roosevelt, photo by Paul Vincent"






*MN HAS GREAT LAKES & GREAT CLOTHES. SHOP NOW >> [ [link removed] ]*





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