Any simple North Woods Lake Resorts left in Minnesota? (Duluth: 2013, rentals)

[HumanNature]

When I was growing up in Minnesota in the 1960s, our family went up to Northern Minnesota every summer and stayed at a lake cabin on a lake North of Brainerd. We stayed in a small modern/rustic cabin right on a lake and spent our days playing board games, reading, socializing, swimming, boating, hiking and fishing. I remember making instant friends with the other kids who were also staying at the Mom and Pop resort. And the adults made quick friends of the other folks nearby and talked for hours about fishing, hunting and camping.

The resort had a game room and maybe a dozen cabins on the lake. I don't think there was any air conditioning but there was TV and, of course, furniture and electricity. I think we paid about the 2013 equivalent of $100 a night.

When I return to Minnesota I am told that no one stays at a place like that anymore and the only places left are timeshares and fancy resorts for $350 a night like Madden's and Cragun's and all the places we used to stay at north of Brainerd on the White Fish chain of lakes were torn down for timeshares and second homes.

Tell me this is not true and there is still places like we used to stay at left in Northern MN. Any stories about staying at a rustic resort in Minnesota back in the good old days.

[dravogadro]

We loved this place:
Duluth Minnesota Cabin Rentals North Shore Lake Superior Quiet Cottages MN Cabins

[Campeador]

Originally Posted by HumanNature

When I was growing up in Minnesota in the 1960s, our family went up to Northern Minnesota every summer and stayed at a lake cabin on a lake North of Brainerd. We stayed in a small modern/rustic cabin right on a lake and spent our days playing board games, reading, socializing, swimming, boating, hiking and fishing. I remember making instant friends with the other kids who were also staying at the Mom and Pop resort. And the adults made quick friends of the other folks nearby and talked for hours about fishing, hunting and camping.

The resort had a game room and maybe a dozen cabins on the lake. I don't think there was any air conditioning but there was TV and, of course, furniture and electricity. I think we paid about the 2013 equivalent of $100 a night.

When I return to Minnesota I am told that no one stays at a place like that anymore and the only places left are timeshares and fancy resorts for $350 a night like Madden's and Cragun's and all the places we used to stay at north of Brainerd on the White Fish chain of lakes were torn down for timeshares and second homes.

Tell me this is not true and there is still places like we used to stay at left in Northern MN. Any stories about staying at a rustic resort in Minnesota back in the good old days.

It's not true. You may need to go further North, but the MN of your memory is still around (for now).

[golfgal]

Lake Cabin rentals | Brainerd Minnesota - cottage - MN. Great resort, golf, fishing and vacation - in Brainerd, MN.

Click on the various tabs for what you want but if you click on the resort tab you will get a listing of most resorts in the Brainerd area, everything from single cabins up to Grandview Lodge.

These are just the ones in Brainerd. There are a lot of places like what you describe.

There are many in the Walker area, Detroit Lakes (check out the Big McDonald Resort--family owned like you described), etc.

[1stpontiac]

Yeah, there are lots of those places around. Once catch is that they aren't always as well-represented online, so they can be a bit harder to find.

[demtion35]

Check up along the Gunflint Trail also.

[jmgg]

About 15 years ago we stayed at something exactly as you described. It was on the southeast end of Leach Lake. Rustic cabins, game room, boat rentals w/someone to clean your fish if you want and a bar with restaurant. I wish I could remember the name of the place, but it's worth researching.

[slamont61]

I know of one that still exists. It's near Park Rapids. The Evergreen Lodge Family Resort & Golf Course. The Golf Course is a 9 hole par 3. It's on Big Sand Lake, they have 14 or so cabins all beautiful sandy beachfronts. No TVs Phones etc.. Real old school, they don't even have a website.

[xandrex]

My family used to do this all the time (as early as maybe 6-7 years ago) for things like fishing opener or just to have a vacation. Lots of simple places with your own cabin and the amenities you've described.

I'd say look north. We lived in Duluth and were going a few hours north to get to these places, though I know other family members from southern Minnesota who found places south of Duluth that they liked that had a similar feel.

[Globe199]

Northern Wisconsin still has a ton of these places. Take a look at the Chetek, Sarona, and Hayward areas.