Stretching across the border of the United States and Canada, Minnesota’s Lake of the Woods is a beautiful place to plan your next vacation. With 65,000 miles of shoreline and more than 14,000 islands, the lake provides endless opportunities for hiking, boating, fishing, cycling, and observing wildlife. Step out of the door of your Lake of the Woods vacation rental and enjoy the beauty of the surrounding green forests, clear clean lake waters, and rugged landscapes. Here are some of the tops places to base from as you explore and enjoy the Lake of the Woods.
1. Williams, Minnesota
Situated between the Lake of the Woods and Minnesota’s Beltrami State Forest, vacation rentals at Williams are convenient gateways to hiking and horseback riding trails, boat launching sites on the lake, and fishing and hunting opportunities. Use Williams as a base for cycling, canoeing, bird watching, or any other outdoor activity you choose.
2. Wheeler’s Point, Minnesota
Wheeler’s Point lies within Four Mile Bay at the mouth of the Rainy River. The marina at nearby Zippel Bay is a perfect launching site from which to explore Lake of the Woods by boat. Vacation rentals at Wheeler’s Point also provide convenient access to Zippel Bay State Park, with its long sandy swimming beach, picnic area, and miles of trails through forests of birch and jack pine. Watch for some of the local fauna, including deer, otters, coyotes, black bears, and occasional timber wolves.
3. Baudette, Minnesota
Known as the walleye capital of the world, Baudette lies on a bank of the Rainy River just a few miles south of the Lake of the Woods. Its vacation rentals are perfect bases for your fishing, hiking, or wildlife observation adventures. Stroll around and enjoy Bay Front Park, Timber Mill Community Park, and Peace Park, which offers a view of Canada and the International Bridge, which connects the town of Rainy River, Ontario, with Baudette in the United States.
4. Warroad, Minnesota
The only American port situated directly on the Lake of the Woods, Warroad provides easy access from your vacation rental to summer fishing and winter ice fishing. Rent a boat and try the angling or explore the lake. Go cycling, canoeing, kayaking, or paddle boarding. If you enjoy golf, go for 18 holes at the championship Warroad Estates Golf Course. Learn some local history at the Warroad Heritage Center and Museum.
5. Hackett, Minnesota
Situated between Wheeler’s Point and Baudette near the Rainy River, vacation rentals at Hackett offer convenient access to Zippel Bay State Park and Beltrami Island State Forest. The huge state forest contains flora such as northern white cedar, black spruce, red pine and aspen. Activities include mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, and winter snowmobiling.
6. The Northwest Angle, Minnesota
The Northwest Angle is a unique corner of the United States surrounded by Canadian land. To reach it overland, pass through Canadian customs and drive 60 miles in the midst of beautiful wildlife-filled Canadian wilderness. The only way to access it while remaining in the United States is by boat. Created by mistake when the founding fathers mapped out the border between the US and Canada, the Northwest Angle offers some of the best lake fishing in either country. A vacation rental in this special area provides a profound and beautiful wilderness experience.
7. Kenora, Ontario
Vacation rentals in the small city of Kenora offer opportunities for cultural ambiance as well as outdoor activities. Stroll to Harbourfront Park and enjoy one of its frequent festivals or concerts. Check out local history at the Lake of the Woods Museum. Rent a canoe, kayak, or boat and explore the lake. Observe local wildlife such as deer, bear, and moose.
8. Morson, Ontario
When you step out of your vacation rental in Morson, you are only a short distance away from undeveloped islands and shoreline. Rent a boat and explore the multitude of nearby small islands. Try the swimming, fishing, golfing, or cycling. On your hikes, pick wild berries, and watch for local birds such as grouse, wood ducks, mallards, and bluebills. Keep your camera ready for the frequent sightings of indigenous wildlife.
9. Nestor Falls, Ontario
Besides the massive Lake of the Woods, dozens of smaller lakes surround Nestor Falls. Vacation rentals in Nestor Falls provide spectacular opportunities of unmatched vistas of breathtaking scenery for painters and photographers. The fishing possibilities are among the world’s finest, with an abundance of game fish such as lake trout, musky, pike, and smallmouth bass. Wildlife teeming in the surrounding forests includes bear, moose, deer, and many other animals.
10. Sioux Narrows, Ontario
Located on the eastern shore of the Lake of the Woods on the Ontario Highway, Sioux Narrows offers a beautiful setting for your vacation rental site. Have a swim at a sandy beach, or explore the waterways in a rented boat. Take a hike through the woods on one of the wilderness trails, or try your hand at the local fishing or hunting. When you want to relax, go for some shopping or quality dining in town.