DESTINATIONS
Ever wonder as you fly along where you could drop in for a quick lunch, or where you could plan a nice day trip for the only day you’ve had off in weeks? Ever rack your brains for the name of the little burger place on that funny shaped lake northeast of Orr where they have cute cabins and great food? Look no farther my friends! Welcome to Seaplane Destinations!
What follows are suggestions the Association can recommend as great destinations where you can satisfy your love for float flying, get a good meal or play a round of golf, and relax for a while.
The criteria for making this list are these:
Seaplane suitable facilities
Seaplane friendly staff and owners
Good Food
Recreation and lodging opportunities
Sound interesting? Well, sit back and let us take you there!
If you have a favorite seaplane destination in Minnesota or Wisconsin drop us an email and we will add it here!
Browse by Area
Unless stated, docking, beaching conditions may widely vary from season to season or destination to destination. A quick call ahead to avoid a disappointing outing at an unfamiliar destination is recommended.
MSPA has offered this list for your enjoyment and convenience. The list consists of locations that our members have visited themselves, and recommend. Please remember we cannot possibly visit each restaurant, dock or beach and insure that there are no perils for floatplane operations. Please exercise due diligence when planning your trip or making the necessary flyovers to ensure the safety of your aircraft and passengers. Web site links and phone numbers are listed for each location to help you plan a safe and enjoyable outing. Have a great flight!
Please remember, most if not all of these fine destinations are open all year to service the vast winter sport industry our beautiful state has to offer. Don't pass up the opportunity to stop in on skis or wheels when the ice is safe, to enjoy their hospitality.
Central Minnesota
CENTRAL MINNESOTA:
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Arrowwood Lodge
Lake Darling, Alexandria Mn.
866-386-5263
http://www.arrowwoodresort.com/
45.921N / 94.408W
Pizza Pub of Forest Lake Forest Lake, Mn 651-395-2212 https://www.mypizzapub.com/forest-lake
8241 North Shore Trail
Forest Lake, MN 55025
Willy’s on the Water. Big Lake, Big Lake, Mn.
763-263-6111
Good food, Deck overlooking sand beach, busy on weekends.
http://www.willymccoys.com
45.333N / 93.750W
Zorbaz on the Lake
Green Lake, New London, Spicer, Mn.
320-796-2195
Sand beach, 5mi. N of Willmar, SW corner of lake.
DQ and several other food options nearby.
http://www.zorbaz.com/green-lake
45.231N / 94.936W
Water’s Edge Restaurant
Lake Minnewashka, Starbuck, Mn.
320-239-9117
Big sand beach, west end of lake, swimming, airport across the street w/ nice grass runways, Great 4th of July fly-in each year.
http://watersedgestarbuck.com/
45.598N / 95.531W
Shattuck’s Hub Supper Club
Long Lake, Burtrum, Mn.
320-285-4318.
Very nice with great specials
http://shattuckshub.com/
45.890N / 94.730W
Captain Dan’s Crows Nest Resort
Knife Lake, Mora, Mn.
320-679-1877
Bowes Landing
320-629-9989
http://www.thecrowsnestresort.com/
45.987N / 93.279W
Zorbaz at the Beach
Detroit Lakes, MN
218-847-5305
Big sand beach.
http://www.zorbaz.com/locations/detroit-lakes/
46.807N / 95.851W
PJ’S On The Lake Middle Spunk Lake, Avon, MN 320-356-7269
Fishers Supper Club. One block south.
North east corner of Middle Spunk Lake, Avon, MN. 320-356-7372 45.610N / 94.455W
(There is a very nice public dock on Lower Spunk Lake, across the road.) https://fishersclub.com
Holly's Lakeside Bar & Grill
Pleasant Lake, St.Cloud MN
320-443-0181
http://www.hollyslakeside.com
45.500N / 94.280W
Ridgewood Bay Resort
Elk Lake, Zimmerman Mn.
763-389-3818.
45.491N / 93.630W
Rich Spring Golf Course
Schneiders Lake, Cold Spring Mn.
320-685-8810.
http://www.richspringgolf.com/
45.45N – 94.16W
Rock Tavern
Big Birch Lake, Grey Eagle, Mn.
320-285-3576
http://www.historicrocktavern.com
45.788N / 94.736W
Waterfront Bar & Supper Club
Clearwater Lake, Annandale Mn.
320-274-9988
http://waterfrontlakesidegrille.com/
45.314N / 94.157W
Northern Minnesota
Northern Minnesota:
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Eagles Nest Lodge Winnibigoshish /Cut Foot Sioux Lake Deer River, MN 218-246-8701 Nice beach /protected https://eaglenestlodge.net
Ruttgers Bay Lake Resort
Deerwood, MN 833-425-1124 https://ruttgers.com
Sugar Lake Lodge Cohasset, MN 218-327-1462 https://sugarlakelodge.com
Scott’s Resort on Crane Lake Crane Lake, MN. 218-933-2341 Beautiful resort and seaplane base. Crane Lake Bar and Grill https://scottsresortoncranelake.com
Detroit Lakes Resort Holiday Inn Detroit Lakes, MN. 218-847-2121 https://dlinn.com
Green Mill Restaurant
Lake Bemidji, Bemidji, MN. 218-444-1875
Nice sandy beach and close to other destinations
47.27N / 94.51W
http://www.greenmill.com/locations/bemidji
Chase on the Lake
Leech Lake, Walker, Mn, 218-547-7777
Historic Resort. Sand beach, next to public dock, several other café’s, bars, shops within walking distance of downtown area.
47.103N / 94.582W
http://www.chaseonthelake.com/
Breezy Point
West shore of Pelican Lake Breezy Point, Mn. 800-432-3777.
Protected lagoon, beaches, golf, several restaurants, asphalt airstrip nearby.
46.595N / 94.208W
http://www.breezypointresort.com/
Manhattan Beach
East end of Big Trout Lake Cross Lake, Mn. 218-692-3381.
Call ahead about beaching or docking. Golf, lodging, and recreational packages available.
46.725N / 94.131W
http://www.mblodge.com/
Zorbaz on Cross Lake
North Cross Lake, Cross Lake, Mn. 218-692-4567.
Mexican dining, and docks.
46.678N / 94.111W
http://www.zorbaz.com/locations/crozz-lake/
Zorbaz on Big Sandy
Mc Gregor, Mn. 218-426-3665
Land in channel or on lake to the east and taxi in. Docks and shoreline.
46.722N / 93.304W
http://www.zorbaz.com/locations/big-zandy/
Zorbaz Ottertail
Ottertail Lake, Battle Lake, Mn. 218-864-5979.
Traditional Zorbaz fare, docks.
46.362N / 95.737W
http://www.zorbaz.com/ottertail
Zorbaz on Gull Lake
Gull Lake, Nisswa, Mn. 218-963-4790.
Land in channel north of bridge, taxi to docks. Check their other locations too!
46.511N / 94.345W
http://www.zorbaz.com/gull-lake
Northern Cowboy. North Long Lake, Brainerd, Mn, 218-829-9872.
46.429N / 94.300W
Moonlite Bay Restaurant
North Cross Lake, Cross Lake, Mn. 218-692-3575.
Docks, live entertainment on weekends, good food.
46.698N / 94.117W
http://www.moonlitebay.com/
Ernie’s
Squaw Point on Gull Lake, Brainerd, Mn. 218-829-3918.
Docks, food and drinks.
46.423N / 94.360W
http://www.erniesongull.com/
Bar Harbor Supper Club
Gull Lake, Nisswa, Mn. 218-963-2568.
South of bridge, Live music most nights, docks.
46.508N / 94.349W
http://barharborsupperclub.com/
The Quarterdeck Resort
West shore Gull Lake, Nisswa, Mn. 218-963-2482.
Docks and beaching spots.
46.448N / 94.363W
http://www.quarterdeckresort.com/
Madden’s Resort
Gull Lake, Brainerd, Mn. 800-642-5363.
They have it all. Lodging, golf, dining, docks and beaches! Shuttle service to 8Y2, East Gull Lake airport.
46.396N / 94.373W
http://www.maddens.com/
Grandview Lodge
North shore of Gull Lake, Nisswa, Mn. 218-963-2234.
Family resort and spa, golf, dining, beaches.
46.491N / 94.315W
http://www.grandviewlodge.com/
Cragun’s Resort
Gull Lake, Brainerd, Mn. 218-829-3591
Lodging, golf, boat rentals, and buffet dinners. Shuttle service to 8Y2 East Gull lake airport.
46.391N / 94.369W
http://www.craguns.com/
The Landing
Lake Alexander, Cushing, Mn. West of Camp Ripley. 218-575-3015 Great quality wine and dining.
46.209N / 94.500W
Western Wisconsin
WESTERN WISCONSIN
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Madeline Island,
Sand beach to east of public ferry dock with some large rocks in clear water. These three establishments are nearby in town.
The airport at Madeline island is a half mile up the Airport Road. 46.779N / 90.788W.
Tom’s Burned Down Café. LaPorte, WI, 715-747-6100
The Pub LaPorte, WI, 800-822-6315
http://www.madisland.com/
Bell Street Tavern LaPorte, WI, 612-964-1059
http://www.bellstreettavernmi.com/
Paradise Landing Balsam Lake, WI 715-485-3210
Easy docks, sand beach east of and behind docks.
45.455N / 92.427W
Meister’s Grill & Bar. Cedar Lake, New Richmond, Wi. Sea Plane Base 715-248-7012.
45.201N / 92.575W
http://www.meisterscedarlake.com/
Gilligan’s Bar Pokegama Lake, Chetek, Wi. 715-924-3105.
Land north of the bridge, docks. Ski Fly-in every February.
45.326N / 91.634W
http://www.gilliganschetek.com
Pokegma Lakeside Cantina Pokegama Lake, Chetek, Wi. 715-764-1212
Across the bridge from Gilligan’s.
45.326N / 91.634W
http://www.pokegamalakeside.com
Harbor View Pub & Eatery. Long Lake, Phillips, Wi. 715-339-2626
Sand beach, seaplane friendly, good food & entertainment.
45.702N / 90.415W
http://www.harborviewonline.com/
Hayward Wisconsin
Hayward Wisconsin Area:
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Chief Lake Lodge
Chief Lake (Chippewa Flowage) Hayward, Wi.
Boat slips along shore, low posts. Good food year round. 715-945-2221.
45.904N / 91.299W
http://chieflakelodge.com/
These two fine establishments are right next door to each other!
Pat’s Landing
Chief Lake, (Chippewa Flowage) Hayward, Wi. 715-945-2511
Floating docks, low posts, small swimming beach. Good food year round.
45.905N / 91.296W
http://www.treelandresorts.com/
Dun Rovin Lodge
Chippewa Flowage, Hayward, Wi. 715-462-3834.
Protected channel on north shore, floating docks, big slips, small beach.
Year round food and lodging. Great dining and bar.
45.973N / 91.169W
http://www.dunrovinlodge.com/
Lakewoods Resort
Lake Namekagon, Cable, Wi. 800-930-6657.
Private harbor with docks & beachable shoreline. Great bar and grill. Tons of year round action. Golf too!
46.198N / 91.122W
http://www.lakewoodsresort.com/