One Of Minnesota's Deepest Inland Lakes Offers An Underrated Park With Peaceful Camping And Fishing

It is hardly news that Minnesota, the Land of 10,000 Lakes, has some beautiful bodies of water and is an incredible vacation destination for paddlers and anglers. The northeast corner of the North Star State borders Lake Superior, and the underrated Cascade State Park is great for camping on the shores of the Great Lake. Lake of the Woods, the northernmost point in the contiguous United States, offers excellent fishing opportunities all year round. And Lake Minnetonka is a fabulous recreation experience in general, with more than 120 miles of lakeshore and at least a dozen charming lakeside towns. One Minnesota lake that doesn't always get the attention it deserves is La Salle Lake. 

One of Minnesota's deepest inland lakes, La Salle Lake is a peaceful gem with great campgrounds, superb fishing opportunities, and a wonderful wilderness recreation area, and is an incredible showcase for the state's delightful "lake life" vibes. 

La Salle Lake is situated in northern Minnesota, just north of Itasca State Park, which offers stunning views of more than 100 lakes. It spans 221 acres, with more than 18,000 feet of shoreline, and reaches depths of more than 210 feet. It is relatively remote, nearly four hours by car from Minneapolis, and the nearest major airports are Falls International Airport (INL), 145 miles away, and Duluth International Airport (DLH), 160 miles away.

La Salle Lake sits within the La Salle Lake State Recreation Area, a wonderful outdoor space filled with red and jack pine forests, wooded trails, and quaint cabins. With under 100 ratings on Google Reviews, the area is a bit of an overlooked gem. That's to visitors' benefit, especially sinceMinnesota is a fall foliage paradise, and this corner of the state is no exception. It's a fantastic place for a wilderness getaway and a serene and tranquil antidote to the chaos of everyday life. Hikers can enjoy 11.5 miles of trails, including the River Overlook Trail for a gentle stroll. The Challenge Trail is a full loop around the lake, ideal for walkers wanting something more, well, challenging. In winter, although there are no groomed trails for cross-country skiing, all park trails are suitable for snowshoeing.

The lake is a paradise for keen anglers, too. You can fish from the shore, but there is also a fishing pier at the northern end of the lake, close to the day use area and parking lot, as well as boat access near the nearby Black Bear Guesthouse. Anglers regularly bag walleye, largemouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill sunfish. You'll need a fishing license; Minnesota's statewide walleye limit is 6 fish, and only one can be more than 20 inches.

To get the most out of La Salle Lake State Recreation Area, you really need to spend the night. There are two rentable cabins, Black Bear Guesthouse and Lone Wolf Cabin, both at the northern end of the lake. But the most charming way to spend the night at La Salle Lake is under canvas, on a camping trip. The campground looks out through the trees onto the lake and has space for 39 pitches, with full electric, water, and sewer hookups, plus flushing toilets, showers, and laundry facilities.

Unsurprisingly, La Salle Lake is also a wonderful spot for paddling. The conditions are generally ideal, with cool weather and calm, sheltered water. The boat ramp near the cabins is the best put-in spot, but be sure to bring your own canoe or kayak, as there isn't anywhere to rent them at the lake.

Exploring the shoreline of the lake from the water is an ideal way to immerse yourself in the beautiful scenery of Northern Minnesota. You'll be treated to fabulous views of the pine and old-growth white cedar forest. Although there is no official swimming beach, swimming in La Salle Lake is a delight. The best places to access the lake for swimmers are the fishing pier and the boat ramp.

"Beautiful place to hang out and swim," wrote one past visitor on Google Reviews. "We come every year and stay at the Black Bear cabin." So if you're looking for that serene natural getaway the next time you're in northern Minnesota, consider heading to La Salle Lake.