Fun in the sun never ends when you visit Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, your destination for summertime fun.
Spend your summer troll-hunting! Five of Thomas Dambo’s giant trolls are located within three miles of Detroit Lakes and one on the outskirts of Frazee. Pick up a map at the Detroit Lakes Chamber office for helpful directions to see Dambo’s tallest troll, 36-foot Long Leif, Barefoot Frida overlooking a pond, all-time favorite Ronny Funny Face, Alexa’s Elixir in the City Park, reclining Jacob Everear, and the elusive Golden Rabbit with black helmets for eyes and wiper blades for whiskers.
Get a fresh start to your day with a mile-long sunrise walk along the City Beach. Listen for the unforgettable call of loons in the early morning or evening, too. Rent a boat and take in the stunning sunsets over the lake. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, go by boat to dine alfresco from a patio with a lake view. Some welcome your pooch on a leash, as well.
In downtown Detroit Lakes, you’ll discover boutiques, coffee shops, Washington Square Mall, upscale thrift stores, a food co-op, bicycle shop, and more. Catch up with friends over a cold beer and bags game at the brewery. Venture outside downtown to discover art galleries, a unique weekend flea market, and exceptional eateries.
Tap your toes to live music in the City Park on Tuesday evenings all summer long, at the Historic Holmes Theatre, and boogie to live bands at bars and grilles. Crank up your music experience at outdoor venues like Detroit Mountain Recreation Area’s Music on the Mountain, the Water Carnival’s Bash on The Beach, and WE Fest Country Music and Camping Festival. Join the fun—our summers are jam-packed with annual festivals.
Whether you’re looking for scenic trails or spine-tingling switchbacks, you’ll have miles of mountain biking terrain to choose from by renting a mountain bike or bringing your own. New this summer is the completed Heartland State Trail to ride your bike from Detroit Lakes east to Frazee, a round-trip of 15 miles. Take a mid-way breather with a scenic view of Acorn Lake. Step outside the city and reconnect with your wild side in three state forests, three state parks, two national wildlife refuges, and thousands of wilderness acres in our backyard. It’s a hiker’s paradise with trailheads to 60 miles of the North Country National Scenic Trail in the county.
Drop a line in one of our 400-plus lakes and come back with a whopper—of a story, at least. Rent a boat, gear, and a guide to make your angling day in Detroit Lakes unforgettable. For an up-close view, rent SCUBA gear for an underwater adventure. If you prefer to stay on the greens, take the challenge at one of seven area golf courses.
Stay a while. Several of the city’s 400-plus rooms, area cabins, and campgrounds offer picture-perfect lake views to make your getaway to Detroit Lakes especially memorable.
