Frequently Asked Questions

ABOUT ATVs

Can we bring our ATVs or 4-Wheelers? Yes, but we have some strict resort ATV policies.    Please review before making your reservation.

ABOUT WIFI/cell phone coverage

FREE WIFI

With brand new repeaters and routers throughout the grounds for 2022 season, all cabins receive signal. Signal strength depends on humidity, density of foliage, the age and power of your computer, and how many OTHER users are currently using same signal. If you have trouble, always feel free to hang out in the lodge where there are electrical outlets, tables to spread out on, a guaranteed strong signal and ducks to watch while you chew thoughtfully on your pencil composing an e-mail.

CELL PHONE COVERAGE

Most will work (esp. At&T) with great reception here. Verizon seems to be the only one with inconsistent bars - we've been told it's because the company rents satellite dishes and that we are located on the cusp of two ranges.

ABOUT THE LAKE & FISHING

Does a dock space come with my cabin rental? Guests receive one complimentary dock space PER CABIN for their own boat. Each additional dock space thereafter is $10 day, $50 week.

If you are bringing your own boat, please glance at this PDF

Does a boat come with my cabin? Guests may borrow a 14' aluminum rowboat during their stay for free. (Play boats are also free- see "amenities" page.) If you bring your own motor and need a boat to put it on, we would be happy to lend you a 14' rowboat to use for the week. As this situation would entail you using a dock space for the week, this would count as your one complimentary dock space per cabin. If your group brings a motor AND another boat/motor, you will need to pay for the extra dock space. ($10 day, $50 week)

We also have boat/motor packages you may rent while you're here, including:  FOUR pontoon boats, Ole's Boat, and smaller 6 hsp and 9.9 hsp motor packages (see boat & motor rentals).

NOTE: None of our motors are powerful enough to tow a tube or water skier. They are for fishing only. If you would like to rent a boat for recreation, try contacting these locals:

• Walker Polaris & Power Equipment (218) 547-1558
• Leech Lake Boat Rentals at Trapper's Landing   218-836-2062
• Lakes Area Power Sports, (218) 547-1558
• J&K Marine, (218) 210-8074

Remember we do not allow jet skis or wake boats.

Should I reserve a boat/motor for the week or by the day? Any weekly boat/motor reservation takes precedence over daily bookings.  If you want one of our boat/motors guaranteed for your week, you will need to add an extra $50 onto your cabin reservation deposit to guarantee your choice and reserve it. If your group is thinking they want a boat for just a day or two during your stay, you will need to wait upon arrival to reserve it.  You will want to view a weather forecast anyway, right?  

Do you sell fishing licenses? No, we don't. But if you drive a mile back into the town of Akeley, both gas stations sell them. (OR, you can click here to buy your fishing license on-line at the Minnesota DNR website.)

Do you have electric hook-ups on any docks? We have 12 docks, of which four have electric hook-ups (two are near the lodge, the other two by the grassy meadow). There are no assigned dock spaces, so it's first come, first serve to find a dock space that works for you. (Both T-docks tend to be better for deeper hulled boats, just FYI.  We ask that you not moor at the end of T-docks, rather on the sides with available cleats.  The ends of T-docks are recommended for fishing kids.)

Is the lake big enough for water-skiing? Heck yes. Many of our guests bring their water skis, tubes and knee boards. We ask that recreation boats circle the middle of the lake as fisherpersons generally use the shoreline areas. It's a peaceful lake, generally with only 1 - 4 boats of any kind on the water at any given time. (No jet skis are allowed at the resort.)

Can I access the whole lake? YES!  As of fall 2021, MN DOT replaced the old metal culvert with a 14' x 14' concrete culvert.  Photo coming soon!  (And yes, this means pontoons will be able to traverse back and forth to other side - AS LONG AS YOU PUT ANY CANOPY TOPS DOWN.)

Can I get to the other Crow Wing Lakes from 11th Crow Wing? No. The chain of lakes are connected, true, but there are small dams between a couple of the lakes and some of the connections are floatable by canoe, but not recommended for motored boats. There is a public boat access on almost all the lakes including our lake, the largest in the chain.

Can we swim across the lake?  You are most welcome to swim across the lake (we advise having a buddy alongside in another watercraft to ward off other motorists.) Many past guests have rented one of our pontoon boats and jumped off to swim, there are ladders on all of them now.

Can we reserve play boats?  The playboats on the beach are first come, first serve, complimentary use for all on-site guests. There are life jackets and paddles stored in a “lean-to” in the beach area, behind the sauna (easy to locate.) Help yourselves. We just ask you put stuff away when done (particularly on windy days, we request you tie up or properly “beach” any craft used so they don’t float away.) We also nudge everyone that it takes a community to mind us all. Feel free to pick up abandoned paddles some neighboring 5-year-old may have left lying in the lapping shoreline and store them away properly where they live in the "lean-to" (to prevent broken equipment and stubbed toes.)

Can we fish or jump off docks, swim raft and new lounging platform? 

• We have 11 or 12 docks, kids and adults are welcome to fish off any of them (no jumping off, though – they are all too shallow for safe diving or jumping.)
• The swim raft is especially excellent for jumping off (no fishing on this piece as we want to make sure sharp hooks and tangling line aren’t left behind for barefoot accidents.)
• We have a new Lounging Platform created summer 2021 (photos coming soon!)   There is a mini-Indiana Jones-type rope bridge to get to it from one of the beach docks. Two swings and a hammock stretched between the pontoons are great places to loll about in the sun. 😊 As this piece is in the swim area, no fishing off this structure either. (We do have lots of extra 14’ row boats, also free to use by any on-site guest for fishing or just getting out on the water.)

ABOUT CABINS

Do you provide bedding and towels? Bed linens, sheets, pillows and two blankets per bed are provided. You will need to bring bath towels and soap AND dish towels and soap if you plans to use any kitchen utensils and appliances.   Click here for a suggested vacation packing list.

Do you have grills? Yes, there is one charcoal grill at every cabin and both campsites (two grills at Reunion Cabin #7).

Are there TVs in the cabins?   Nope.   C'mon, you're in the "northwoods", get out and enjoy it!   Exception: Cabin #19 and the LODGE both have TV/VCRs for playing videotapes in case it's a rainy day. As we receive no channel reception, the TVs are just for movies (and video games if you bring 'em.) We have 200 family films to borrow for free at the lodge. We also rent out two archaic 13' TV/VCR units for $5 a day, or $25 a week with which to watch movies.

Can we rent a cabin for less than a week? From mid-June to late-August, we require a five-night minimum stay (weekly rate).  In the off-season, you may rent any cabin for a two-night minimum.

Do you count babies as people in the cabin rate fees? Babies & children of all ages count within the "number of people" base rate. If they're human, they count! All of us generate usage of resources: i.e. diaper disposal costs, cooking/heating usage for formula or food, extra electricity by being inside cabin more for napping and protection from elements, crib and highchair usage provided by us at no extra cost, etc. Try to choose a cabin with the "# of people rate" that best fits the number of your family or group.

Are you open all year round? No. Our season is mid-May through early October of every year.  (Exception:  Cabins #9, #10 and #19 are now rented through mid-November.)

What time is check-in? Check-in on any day is AFTER 3:00 p.m.  Particularly, on eleven Saturdays from mid-June to Labor Day, the gate is actually closed, so PLAN your travel time accordingly.  Check-out and pay up your tab the evening before your departure day.  Depart by 12 noon on your last day.

How far is the lake from each cabin? All cabins have a view of the lake.  There is a photo on each cabin description page of the lake from its own deck.  Check out our Virtual Tour of resort for visual aid.

The back row of cabins (#6, #7, #13, #8, #9, #10) are slightly elevated from the front row (about 30 feet above lake level) which, incidently, makes for a better view of the lake than it would if all cabins were at the same level) and are no more than a half block from the water. It is a gradual sloping walk from any back cabin to the beach, lodge or play areas. (Although the front row and 2nd tier have better views of the lake, the back row of cabins are priced accordingly and are generally a better value in terms of rental rate.)  Also, the back row of cabins all have private campfire rings.  (Photo at left taken off #10's deck, view between #18 and #11 to lake w/ zoom)

The 2nd tier of cabins (#16, #17, #11, #18. #12) are approx. 15 feet higher in elevation than the lake with very gradual easy slopes to get to them (these cabins all have fantastic views - better than the front row as one can see further when slightly elevated - see photo at right of view off Cabin #17).

The front row of lake level cabins (#1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #14) are approx. 150 feet from the water. Between the front row of cabins and the lake are grassy park-like areas and communal play grounds (i.e. volleyball sand court, basketball court, horseshoe pit, swings, mini-gazebo, mine-carousel, log swings, shuffleboard court, etc.) We appreciate that this layout allows ALL GUESTS to be close to the lake and to have unrestricted views (as opposed to a resort with side-by-side cabins hugging the shoreline blocking the view and dock access from others.)

ABOUT POLICIES

Can I bring my dog if he's well-behaved and quiet? Sorry, no pets, no exceptions. There are several local dog kennels listed below to contact if you absolutely cannot find a neighbor or friend to pet-sit for you.***

• ***Walker Animal Hospital Inc (218) 547-3222
• ***Pampered Pets (218) 564-5912 in Menahga (Marnie)
• ***Glory Be Kennels (Ruth Dienst) (218) 732-4620
• ***Angie's Groom 'N Board (218) 732-9862 www.angiesgroomnboard.com
• ***Dog's Paw (218) 237-SPAW website link
• ***Mari's All Breed Pet Grooming/Doggy Daycare/In-Home Boarding (218) 547-1290 Walker
• ***Snuggle 'n Snooze Inn www.snugglensnoozeinn.com (218) 732-PETS (SE Dorset Corner)

We love our pets and feel like they're family, but sometimes it's nice to have a brief vacation from pet responsibilities, too. We do not allow pets for various reasons, mainly because of insurance liability. Plus, with 19 cabins and four campsites, can you imagine the chaos of 23 different dogs here? Yikes! We try hard to provide a safe space for our guests. Dogs have proven to be a high risk liability according to our insurance provider. If a toddler grabs an unsuspecting puppy's tail, the critter has a tendency to bite in self defense. Even the sweet ones. Wouldn't you? Other issues involve barking (we try to advertise a peaceful vacation), stepping in "doo-doo" (icky-poo!) and, of course, cabin cleaning. Many folks suffer from animal allergies (i.e. cats, dogs, birds, etc.) and we simply do not have the time to steam clean cabin carpets and upholstery on Saturdays in summer. We believe it would not be fair for the next guest to have to suffer allergic reactions from a previous guest who brought their pet.

On the plus side, not having pets running around stalking the local wildlife and leaving foreign predator markings, we can pretty much guarantee wild critter encounters. We have a thriving chipmunk population (*sigh*, bring peanuts, they'll eat out of your hands), several wild baby duck broods visit our duck dock in front of the lodge every day in summer and guests report numerous other encounters each week (skunks, raccoon, fox, deer, heron, loons, humming birds, muskrat, bats, frogs, turtles, etc.)  You will definitely experience a northwoods environment here, hehe.

Why can't I bring fireworks or my jet-ski? Because of noise and liability. Again, as we strive to offer a peaceful vacation for many, both of these activities involve above-average sound decibels. Both activities also have major safety concerns.

• On July 4th, most of our guests attend day-long holiday festivities in Walker or Park Rapids. Prior to the spectacular township fireworks shows, you can have fun with your own fireworks while waiting in their public parks if desired.
• If someone in your group really likes to jet-ski, there are jet-ski rental companies in Walker, 8 miles away. You can put in at the Leech Lake public wharf and have fun zipping across this great expanse of water. Just don't bring the jet-skis onto our resort grounds, please.
  • Walker Power Equipment (218) 547-1558 (1 1/4 miles N of Walker on 371 - 8 miles from our resort)
  • Walker Rental (218) 547-3656 www.walker-rental.com
  • Crystal Piers (218) 547-2800
  • Walker Rental & Sales (218) 547-3656
  • Thompson Rent-All (218) 547-1252
  • MarineMax (888) 273-2722
  • Resort Marine & Service (218) 547-3566

Fun Bug

- for some reason, we get a lot of people asking us from where we got our Fun Bug (must show up in website search engines well?)   Anyway, we bought ours from a fellow resorter, but they got it originally from a dealer in MSP, 612-669-0093, Bill & Jeanne Gates. No website/email info.