Minnesota Golf Resorts
Minnesota, dubbed “The Land of 10,000 Lakes”, springs to life in the summer with activities such as fishing, boating and playing golf. It is probably underrated nationally for its sheer number of quality golf resorts. The most highly regarded golf hotbeds are north of the Twin Cities: Brainerd and the Iron Range. Gull Lake serves as the heart of Brainerd with both Madden’s On Gull Lake and Cragun’s Hotel & Resort on Gull Lake along its shores. Nearby, the Grand View Lodge Spa & Golf Resort in Nisswa and Breezy Point Resort in Breezy Point also deliver world-class golf. Farther flung, Minnesota’s Iron Range, on the edge of the natural area known as the 'Boundary Waters', is anchored by the 36-hole Giants Ridge and the Fortune Bay Casino Resort. All three are Jeff Brauer designs. Five other casino resorts and a dozen of smaller golf resorts are sprinkled throughout the state.
Nisswa, Minnesota
The Grand View Lodge Spa & Golf Resort in Nisswa is one of the anchor golf resorts of the Brainerd area. It is a lakeside retreat filled with activities and 45 holes of golf. Guests can choose from shuffleboard, bocce ball, family wagon rides, paddleboards, kayaks, yoga, indoor pools, a lakeside pool, waterslide, hot tubs, ziplining, biking,…
Breezy Point , Minnesota
Breezy Point Resort, located just north of Brainerd in Breezy Point, Minn., is both a lakeside and golf retreat on the shores of Pelican Lake. The four-season resort is ideal for families, buddies golf trips, conferences and weddings. It offers a wide choice of lodging with 250 total rooms and four restaurants. Recreation starts on the lake at the…
Brainerd, Minnesota
Cragun’s Hotel & Resort on Gull Lake is one of the best golf resorts in Brainerd three hours north of the Twin Cities. Cragun’s lakeside lodging options include cabins and hotel-style rooms. Five- to 12-bedroom homes can be rented within the Homes at the Legacy community. The marina is popular in summer with boating, water skiing, fishing and…
Detroit Lakes, Minnesota
The Fair Hills Resort just outside Detroit Lakes, Minn., can make you feel like a kid again. It is a rare all-inclusive resort in the Midwest where cabin guests are provided three meals as well as three supervised recreation activities per day. The staff will ensure everyone has a good time. It’s only open from May through September. Amenities…
Brainerd, Minnesota
Madden’s On Gull Lake is the largest golf resort in golf-rich Brainerd three hours north of the Twin Cities. It is a recreational paradise year-round. Guests can play lawn games such as sand volleyball, horseshoes, badminton, shuffleboard, croquet, lawnbowling and tennis at the Tennis & Croquet Club. Four swimming pools and three sand beaches…
McGregor, Minnesota
The Minnesota National Golf Course is a unique property with 27 holes, an RV park with 49 hookups and lake access, a restaurant and two townhomes and an executive log home available for stay-and-plays. The townhomes can sleep two foursomes – eight guests – and the home 10 guests. Shillelagh's Tap & Grill serves a full menu of food, plus nine craft…
Morton, Minnesota
Get in on the action at more than 440,000 square feet of gaming at Jackpoint Junction Casino Hotel in Morton in Minnesota’s River Valley. The hotel rooms range from standard to pool and VIP suites. An indoor pool, arcade, fitness center, multiple restaurants and a 30-site RV Park are part of its amenities. More than 1,200 slots and table games…
Welch, Minnesota
The Treasure Island Resort & Casino is the only casino in southern Minnesota located on the Mississippi River. The Prairie Island Indian Community owns and operates the state’s second largest hotel (788 rooms), along with the Mount Frontenac Golf Course and Dakota Station (a convenience store). The property features more than 2,200 slots, 44 table…
Lutsen, Minnesota
Lutsen Resort On Lake Superior sits where the Poplar River meets the largest Great Lake (also the second-largest lake in the world). The historic resort – home to lodge rooms, log cabins, townhomes, Sea Villas and Poplar River Condos - overlooks a large pebble beach of a secluded, private cove where swimming, kayaking and fishing are perfect…
Spicer, Minnesota
The Little Crow Resort just south of New London boasts a new 51-room GrandStay Hotel & Suites completed in 2018, along with a 300-seat event center, the Max’s On the Green restaurant and a new clubhouse for the 27-hole golf course. Extended stay guests can enjoy the comfort of the one-bedroom, full-kitchen suites, which also include free WiFi,…
Biwabik, Minnesota
Two nationally ranked and highly regarded courses draw golfers to Giants Ridge in Minnesota’s beautiful Superior National Forest within the Mesabi Iron Range north of Duluth. Giants Ridge touts itself as the No. 1-rated family vacation destination in Minnesota. Summer brings golf, mountain biking and all sorts of outdoor fun like adventure camp…
Carlton, Minnesota
The Black Bear Casino Resort in Carlton is owned by the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa tribe. The 12-story hotel tower features more than 1,800 video slot machines; three restaurants; a coffee shop; a 1,900-seat concert venue and an arcade for all ages. The resort has also acquired two nearby off-site hotels: The First American Hotel &…
Park Rapids, Minnesota
Timberlane Resort in Park Rapids is a family destination that offers deluxe accommodations, cabins and villas on 1,500 feet of Long Lake. Two large stone fireplaces anchor the Grand Lodge overlooking the lake. There are video games, a pool table, TV and snack bar in the teen room. The recreation building is set up for more games and ping pong.…
Cohasset, Minnesota
The Sugar Lake Lodge in Cohasset, Minn., is a family-owned and operated resort on the shores of Sugar Lake. The resort life revolves around the water, outdoor pool and white-sand beach. Guests can rent pontoon, sailing and fishing boats; kayaks, canoes and paddleboards. Stay active on the myriad of sports courts for bocce, sand volleyball,…
Tower, Minnesota
The Fortune Bay Casino Resort in Tower, Minn., is more than just a golf and casino getaway. The resort delivers year-round entertainment thanks to Lake Vermilion, where guests can rent all sorts of boats in summer or ice houses for ice fishing in winter. The 173-room resort is home to an indoor pool and jacuzzi, kid’s pool, sauna, workout room and…
Detroit Lakes, Minnesota
The Forest Hills Resort offers 280 RV and mobile home sites and hopes to expand to eventually offer more than 550. It is not open for public camping, only to members of organizations such as Coast to Coast, RPI or AOR. Guests rent the RV spaces seasonally (May to October) or buy a park model that looks like a small home. The resort is home to the…
Garrison, Minnesota
The 6,359-yard Northwood Hills Golf Course in Garrison, Minn., was known as the Hardwoods Golf Course from 1969 to 2014 before it was purchased by the Appeldoorn family and rebranded in 2015. The Appeldoorn’s Sunset Bay Resort offers year-round accommodations in 1- to 3-bedroom cabins on the other side of the lake roughly 30 miles away. The family…
Park Rapids, Minnesota
Brookside Resort is a family-first getaway located on Two Inlets Lake near the Itasca State Park roughly 14 miles from Park Rapids. The 29 modern, air-conditioned cabins deliver a Northwoods charm. Recreation runs the gamut with a heated indoor-outdoor swimming pool, tennis, pickleball, mini-golf, sand volleyball, shuffleboard, a beach and a main…
Hinckley, Minnesota
The Grand Casino Hinckley Hotel in Hinkley, Minn., is one of the state’s largest casino resorts with 563 rooms. Guests enjoy access to the Grand Harmony Spa, five delicious restaurants and the nearby Grand National Golf Course. Live entertainment plays at the Rival House. There’s action all day and night at a 24-hour fitness center and a casino of…
Alexandria, Minnesota
The Arrowwood Resort & Conference Center in Alexandria, Minn., is an all-seasons resort with outdoor and indoor activities. Outdoors, guests can play golf on the 6,167-yard Atikwa Championship Golf Course or head to Lake Alvin for rentals at the full-service marina, swimming, fishing and more. Indoors, families gather at the Big Splash Waterpark,…
Prior Lake, Minnesota
The Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, owned and operated by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Siouix Community, is the largest casino in Minnesota. With 766 new and renovated rooms just 25 minutes south of the Twin Cities, the resort features endless entertainment of outdoor concerts, gaming 24 hours a day, stylish bars and restaurants and special events. The…
Ottertail, Minnesota
Thumper Pond offers 78 spacious suites, a campground and RV park, plus activities galore. The 6,610-yard golf course was carved from 90,000 red pines. A large pond comes into play on multiple holes. The resort’s 12,000-square-foot indoor water park, including two three-story water slides, an 18-person hot tub and activity pool, is open year-round.…
Deerwood, Minnesota
The Ruttger’s Bay Lake Lodge in Deerwood, Minn., has something for everyone. Cabins, villas, cottages or a lodge are available for overnight stays. Ruby’s Restaurant, the Bear Pine Bar and Auntie M’s Coffeehouse will curb your cravings. The main lodge is stocked with a game room featuring ping pong, a pool table and other games; indoor and outdoor…
Glenwood, Minnesota
Peters Sunset Beach Resort on Lake Minnewaska has been operated by the same family for more than a century. It is a destination for vacations, reunions, anniversaries and weddings. Lake lovers can go boating, swimming and playing on the water park or fishing. More recreation includes two lighted tennis courts, basketball, a boat ramp, fire pits,…
Onamia, Minnesota
Izatys Golf Resort, located in Onamia an hour and a half north of the Twin Cities, has been a favorite destination on the southern shores of Lake Mille Lacs since 1921. All the facilities and accommodations have been updated. Guests can stay at the Inn, Shoreline Townhomes or Beach Villas. A 147-slip marina allows access to Minnesota’s…
Pequot Lakes , Minnesota
The Wildwedge Golf & RV Park in Pequot Lakes is known for its family activities in the Brainerd area. It offers a nine-hole short course, mini-golf, a mystery maze and an RV Park. The course features holes that play from 70 yards to 170 yards. If you don’t have an RV, there are three “new” lodge rooms overlooking the golf course, including a…
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