The 8 Best Resorts in Northern Minnesota | Hand-Picked for 2025
We analyzed all the available options and found the best resorts in Northern Minnesota that consistently offer that extra something special for travelers who are looking to unwind, recharge, and explore a region that’s rich in woods, water, and laid-back comfort.
These resorts aren’t just about the basics—they’re about fully experiencing what it means to enjoy the best Northern Minnesota resorts, whether you’re drawn to lake views, pine-scented trails, or a bit of cozy fireplace time after dinner.
Table of Contents
Methodology
To find the best resorts Northern Minnesota has to offer, we sifted through thousands of verified reviews across platforms like Google Reviews, TripAdvisor, and Expedia.
We looked at what travelers consistently mentioned, from room cleanliness to meal quality, from the vibe of the lakefront to the variety of activities.
After comparing ratings, guest feedback, and property amenities, we curated the resorts below based on overall value, experience, and reputation.
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The 8 Best Northern Minnesota Resorts for 2025
8. Grand Ely Lodge
Key Highlights:
- Lakefront location on Shagawa Lake
- Indoor pool and sauna for year-round relaxation
- On-site restaurant and lounge with lake views
This resort is nestled into a northern corner of Minnesota that tends to feel incredibly peaceful yet naturally inviting. Grand Ely Lodge sits on the edge of Shagawa Lake, which offers direct access for fishing, paddling, or just staring at the water from an Adirondack chair.
Rooms come in a few different layouts, some with whirlpool tubs and lake-facing balconies, which is almost essential up here. The rustic styling leans more classic lodge than modern chic, but it fits the surroundings nicely and provides that timeless feel visitors often expect from Northern Minnesota resorts.
Families often mention how easy it is to keep everyone busy. There’s a big indoor pool, a small arcade area, and a nearby trail system that’s great for quick walks or day-long hikes.
For meals, the Evergreen Restaurant serves comforting dishes and local fish specials in a room that feels like a cabin’s great room.
Nearby, guests are just a few minutes away from the International Wolf Center and North American Bear Center, both of which, by the way, are absolute favorites for kids and animal lovers. In other words, this is one of those resorts in Northern Minnesota that knows how to strike a balance between outdoorsy and convenient.
Reviews & Latest Price on TripAdvisor
7. Bluefin Bay Family Of Resorts – Most Affordable
Key Highlights:
- Set right on Lake Superior’s shoreline
- Heated outdoor pool open year-round
- Offers condos, suites, and townhomes with kitchens
Bluefin Bay, sitting right along the edge of Lake Superior in the small town of Tofte, is one of those Northern Minnesota resorts that blends affordability with location in a really smart way. You’re not sacrificing views or amenities to get a good deal here—in fact, it’s quite the opposite.
Units range from cozy studios to larger multi-bedroom townhomes with full kitchens and wood-burning fireplaces. A lot of the rooms open straight onto the water, and guests frequently talk about how you can hear the lake from your window.
The outdoor heated pool is a standout, especially in colder months. There’s something sort of surreal about swimming under the stars in December while snow piles up just beyond the steam.
For families, there’s a lot to keep things flowing—rentals for kayaks and bikes, bonfire pits, and a shuttle to nearby trailheads along the Superior Hiking Trail.
The on-site Bluefin Grille serves up high-quality dishes with local ingredients, and their wine list is surprisingly solid for a lakeside spot. If you’re trying to experience resorts Northern Minnesota without blowing the whole budget, Bluefin Bay is an option that makes it work.
Reviews & Latest Price on TripAdvisor
6. Caribou Highlands Lodge
Key Highlights:
- Located at the base of Lutsen Mountains
- 3 expansive pools, including one indoors
- Access to ski lifts and hiking trails
Caribou Highlands Lodge is a ski-season favorite, but it’s just as lively once the snow melts in the summer. Positioned in Lutsen, right at the foot of the state’s most well-known ski hill, this property really offers all-seasons of fun.
What’s kind of unique here is the range of accommodations. There are regular hotel-style rooms, but also full townhomes and four-bedroom vacation homes available. These larger setups are ideal for groups, and they come with kitchens, fireplaces, and balconies that peer out toward the forest or ski hill.
Caribou Highlands has a big indoor pool, two seasonal outdoor ones, and a hot tub that’s consistently mentioned in guest reviews. There’s also an on-site restaurant, Moguls Grille & Tap Room, which serves hearty après-ski-type meals even in the summer.
The lodge’s connection to Lutsen Mountains makes it one of the best Northern Minnesota resorts for active travelers. You can basically walk to the gondola, or drive a few minutes to Lake Superior’s shoreline.
It’s that kind of layout that really appeals to both winter sports fans and summer adventurers.
Reviews & Latest Price on TripAdvisor
5. Best Western Premier The Lodge On Lake Detroit – Best-Seller
Key Highlights:
- 125 feet of beach on Big Detroit Lake
- Full-service spa on property
- All rooms face the lake for a stunning view
This lodge-style resort doesn’t carry the usual Best Western feel—instead, it feels more like a boutique lakeside retreat, tucked just enough away from town to feel calm but still close enough to grab ice cream downtown.
Every single room overlooks the water, which is a pretty big plus when you’re hunting for resorts in Northern Minnesota that actually focus on the lake experience.
The interiors are stylish in a relaxed, homey kind of way—lots of natural wood, big windows, and fireplaces that make cold months kind of magical. The resort also offers a full-service spa, with treatments ranging from deep tissue massages to full skin care services.
Families, couples, and solo travelers tend to mix here, with shared appreciation for the indoor pool, lakeside bonfire setups, and complimentary breakfast that’s a bit more substantial than your average buffet.
Detroit Lakes itself has plenty to offer, including a handful of boutique shops and access to hiking trails along Maplewood State Park.
All things considered, this property is a crowd-pleaser that does a little bit of everything well, and that’s what makes it one of the top-selling Northern Minnesota resorts year after year.
Reviews & Latest Price on TripAdvisor
4. Ruttger’s Bay Lake Resort
Key Highlights:
- Over 100 years of resort history
- 18-hole golf course on site
- Three restaurants and a coffee shop
Ruttger’s is the kind of place that feels more like a tradition than a destination. Sitting on Bay Lake, this long-standing family-run property carries that warm, familiar energy that’s a bit harder to find these days. A lot of guests come back year after year, and it’s easy to see why.
The resort features lodge rooms, lakeside cottages, and even some newer villas with full kitchens. While it has a nostalgic atmosphere, most of the interiors have been updated with modern touches to keep things fresh without losing charm.
There’s a lot going on: golf, boating, an activity schedule for kids, nightly entertainment during summer, and an indoor pool to keep the vibe alive even when the weather shifts. Dining includes traditional lodge fare, a pub-style option, and a seasonal lakeside grill that’s very popular on sunny afternoons.
It’s the combination of friendly service, lots to do, and lake access that makes Ruttger’s stand out among resorts Northern Minnesota offers. Plus, the golf course wraps right around the lake, which makes for some seriously pretty views mid-game.
Reviews & Latest Price on TripAdvisor
3. Cragun’s Resort on Gull Lake
Key Highlights:
- Over 400 acres of lakeside property
- Indoor and outdoor pools plus sandy beaches
- 36 holes of championship golf on site
Cragun’s, located right on Gull Lake near Brainerd, might be one of the most activity-packed Northern Minnesota resorts out there. This place is sprawling, with so much going on that guests often say you don’t really need to leave the property unless you want to check out downtown Brainerd or explore the Paul Bunyan Trail just a short drive away.
The lodging setup includes a mix of traditional hotel-style rooms, lakefront cabins, and even full homes for rent—so it works well whether you’re going with a small group or a multi-generational family trip.
For water access, it’s hard to beat. Cragun’s has several sandy beaches, an extensive marina with pontoon and jet ski rentals, and room to roam along the shoreline.
There are indoor and outdoor pools, basketball courts, tennis, and even a small fitness center if you’re looking to stay active indoors.
Dining options include Irma’s Kitchen, which is open seasonally and focuses on elevated comfort food with a lakeside backdrop, plus a more casual lounge for snacks and cocktails.
There’s also a full golf course, actually two of them, which makes this property a favorite for golf-loving travelers looking for the best Northern Minnesota resorts that combine lake life and fairways in one place.
Reviews & Latest Price on TripAdvisor
2. Larsmont Cottages On Lake Superior – Top Value Pick
Key Highlights:
- 40 acres of wooded property on Lake Superior
- Private cottages with fireplaces and saunas
- Access to in-cottage massages and spa services
Set just outside Two Harbors, Larsmont Cottages feels a little hidden but absolutely worth the discovery. The setting is extremely peaceful—40 acres of woods and rocky shoreline where Lake Superior rolls right up to your door.
Accommodations are all about cozy, private comfort here. Many of the cottages include gas fireplaces, full kitchens, and even private saunas tucked right into the unit. The interiors are warm and clean with a more upscale cabin feel, which gives the place a good balance of rustic and refined.
There’s an indoor pool and whirlpool, plus a well-rated on-site restaurant called Ledge Rock Grille, where chefs cook right in front of you using a wood-fired oven and fresh, seasonal ingredients.
Larsmont’s wellness offerings are a standout feature. Guests can book in-room massages or facial treatments, and there are daily morning yoga sessions held in the lodge.
For outdoor enthusiasts, Gooseberry Falls and Split Rock Lighthouse are within a short drive, making this resort a fantastic hub for exploring the North Shore without losing your sense of calm.
Reviews & Latest Price on TripAdvisor
1. Grand View Lodge – Top Overall
Key Highlights:
- 750+ acres with 2 golf courses and 8 dining options
- World-class spa with full service menu
- Historic lodge on Gull Lake with 100+ years of legacy
Grand View Lodge, located in Nisswa right on Gull Lake, is the top pick not just for its size but because of how it manages to deliver a full resort experience without feeling too corporate or too rustic, making it the best resort in Northern Minnesota.
It balances upscale comfort with authentic Northern Minnesota style, and that’s something that’s actually pretty rare among even the best northern Minnesota resorts.
The lodging options span everything from vintage cabins dating back to the early 1900s to brand-new townhomes and spa villas with sleek interiors and walk-in showers.
The lake access is extensive, with sandy beaches, pontoon rentals, and paddleboards available. There are both indoor and outdoor pools, including a splash area for kids and a serene adult-only section tucked inside the spa.
Speaking of the spa—it’s massive. Glacial Waters Spa offers massages, body wraps, facials, and hair services, and it’s won multiple awards for good reason.
Food is a major part of the experience. With eight restaurants on-site, guests can have everything from fine steak dinners to craft brews and burgers by the beach.
The Northwoods Pub tends to be a hit for casual nights, while Cru Restaurant and Wine Bar feels more refined without being stuffy.
There are also golf courses, bike rentals, yoga classes, wine tastings, and firepits with s’mores kits available daily. If you’re searching for resorts in Northern Minnesota that basically have it all—without needing to compromise on the charm of the location—Grand View Lodge is that total-package destination where families, couples, and even business groups keep coming back year after year.
Reviews & Latest Price on TripAdvisor
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