Wilderness Bay Resort — Hotel in Park Rapids

We rented a cabin for week at the Wilderness Bay Resort on Little Mantrap Lake in northern Minnesota near Park Rapids. The resort has lots of "toys", like canoes, kayaks, and paddle boats for use with the cost included in the rent for the cabin. They also have a small beach with a floating raft out in the lake for the kids to play in. Other amenities include a volleyball court, a basketball hoop, a laundry, and a game room.||||The cabin itself has three bedrooms with a queen size bed in each bedroom and futon in the living room which could fold out for another queen size bed. So the cabin can sleep eight people. The cabin also has a full bath, a completely stocked kitchen and a good size living room with a satellite TV with a DVD player. There is also a screened porch, a picnic table, a kettle barbeque, and a fire pit (logs can be purchased at the resort office). For an additional charge they allow pets in the cabins.||||The cabin was clean except for the kitchen and bathroom floors. The kitchen floor had "stuff" all over it, and felt dirty to the bare foot. I was cleaning up some drops of water on the bathroom floor with some tissue and the tissue came up black. We walked around the cabin with either flip flops on or shoes on. One other problem is that the kitchen cabinets smelled funny, so we washed all of the dishes and silverware before using them. ||||But the biggest problem was the tap water. It had a bad smell and tasted worse. It was possible to brush your teeth only if you could stand the smell.||||All in all, the cabin was clean (with the exceptions noted above), and there was lots of toys to use, with the cost included in the rent.||||One of the tourist attractions near the resort is the headwaters of the Mississippi River. At the point where the river starts in Itasca State Park, it is possible to walk across the...

My extended family rented cabins 0, 1, and 4 for a week in August and loved our time at Wilderness Bay. There was very little traffic on the lake (Little Mantrap), so we really enjoyed our pontoon rental. The fishing was poor, but it was August (when fishing is usually poor), and we didn't care. The view from the cabins was extraordinary, because the land across the bay is undeveloped. Scott and Jenn were excellent hosts and responded very quickly to any requests we made. For example, Scott repaired a board on our dock almost immediately and later equipped our pontoon with a ladder for swimming. They have a great system of clipboards to let you put firewood, snacks (including many ice cream treats!), and the purchase of necessities on your tab to pay at the end of the week. We loved the wide mowed half-mile grass path that looped around by the pond. The beach had a nice sandy bottom, and there were many beach toys including stand-up paddle boards, kayaks, and even water bikes! There were two diving rafts as well as a slide. The proximity to Itasca State Park cannot be beat. Book early, because there are only 10 cabins, and many families rebook year after year. We certainly will! Thank you,...

What initially drew me to Wilderness Bay Resort was its tranquil atmosphere and beautiful surroundings near Itasca State Park and the Heartland Trail.

Upon arrival with my wife, we were greeted by cozy cabins that radiated rustic charm while providing a comfortable atmosphere. The highlight of our stay was undoubtedly the mesmerizing view of the glass-like water, where it was impossible to distinguish where the trees ended and the water began. The reflection was so perfect that it created a seamless blend of nature and tranquility.

The quietness at Wilderness Bay Resort was not just noticeable but appreciated, as we often felt we had to whisper. This added to the sense of peaceful seclusion, making it a nice escape for us.

The host, who was exceptionally kind and welcoming, added a personal touch to our stay. It's a place where you can instantly unwind, connect with nature, and enjoy quality time together while being captivated by the seamless union of trees and water. Wilderness Bay Resort is the perfect choice for a tranquil getaway, conveniently located near Itasca State Park and the Heartland Trail, adding...