For thirteen summers, our family has returned to Walker, Minnesota, drawn again and again to the familiar pull Leech Lake. What was once just a weekend trip has become tradition - our most anticipated days of the year, steeped in memories. Whether you’re searching for things to do in Walker, MN, or planning your first visit to this lakeside gem, Leech Lake is more than a destination; it’s a place layered with nostalgia. Each visit feels timeless, as if its shores remember us, holding the stories of every sunrise coffee, every summer pontoon ride, every fleeting sunset. This guide to Walker, MN, is both a travel companion and a love letter to the lake that has kept us coming back, year after year.
In this Leech Lake travel guide, we’ll share everything you need to plan a weekend exploring things to do in Walker MN - from time on the water to the best restaurants and local favorites. You’ll also find some family stories that have become part of the lake’s lore. Think quiet mornings with coffee by the shore, afternoons exploring hidden corners of the lake, and evenings where laughter drifts through town. It’s part practical guide, part personal glimpse into why this place means so much to us.
Getting There
The journey to Leech Lake is part of our family's tradition. For those driving from Fargo, North Dakota, like us, the roughly two-hour route becomes a small adventure, dotted with stops that turn miles into memories. We pause for a quick bar break in Hawley, MN, meet more family over lunch at Zorbaz in Detroit Lakes, wander through a bookstore and sip margaritas in Dorset — a charming town with a population of 22), and finally arrive in Walker for welcome cocktails on the patio at Chase on the Lake Resort, where family gathers to toast the weekend ahead.
For travelers flying in, Minneapolis is about a three and a half hour drive from Walker. As you leave the city behind, the route winds through forests, lakes, and small towns until you reach the water. However you get here, the trip is worth it—Walker offers quiet stretches of shoreline, hidden spots to explore, and plenty of memories waiting to be made.
Coffee
Walker, Minnesota, wakes slowly over the foggy waters of Leech Lake, and the town’s coffee spots capture that quiet magic. Our family frequents Java Loon, tucked right next to Chase on the Lake, while Walker Bay Coffee Co. gives a dose of local charm, and the Outdoorsman Cafe offers warmth and character for early mornings or lingering afternoons.
Lunch, Dinner & Drinks
Offering more than lake views - Walker’s restaurants are part of the weekend’s story and among the best things to do in Walker MN for foodies. Shingobee on the Bay is just a pontoon ride down the bay, and our typical afternoon cocktail break after a day on the water. The Watershed, just down the street from Chase on the Lake, is often a family meeting spot for a late dinner, and the Boathouse Bar, designed to (maybe?) resemble a boat, buzzes with lake town energy. If you’re looking for something more lively, head to the Legion (at your own risk) for some late-night karaoke.
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Shingobee on the Bay
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The Watershed
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Boathouse Bar
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502 Restaurant & Bar
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Benson’s Eating & Drinking Emporium
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Bayside’s Bar & Grill
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The Merit Lakeside
Things to Do on Leech Lake
Pontoon rides and quiet canoes trace the lake’s calm surface, while downtown Walker thrives with shops, candy stores, and families exploring. In the evenings, the local brewery and winery make for easy places to come together. Though if you head to Portage, fair warning: be careful of the IPAs. We’ve learned the hard way that they’ll sneak up on you!
By the time the sun dips and the waves lap against the shore, Leech Lake has left its mark. The memories of boat rides, sun-kissed meals, and meandering streets do not fade with the night; they’re the kind of memories that stay with you, ready to be picked up again when you return.
Your Guide to a Perfect Leech Lake Getaway This Summer
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Pontoon around Walker Bay
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Walker Bay Sand Bars
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Kayaking
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Portage Brewing Company
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Shopping in downtown Walker
Where to Stay
For the past thirteen years, our family has returned to Chase on the Lake Resort, where lakefront rooms, a cozy bar and restaurant, and water activities for both adults and the littles make it the perfect home base. Just steps from the heart of Walker, it keeps you close to shops, dining, and the hum of the town. We’ve also included a few additional places we’ve heard great things about, giving travelers even more options to experience Leech Lake.
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Chase on the Lake Resort
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Trapper’s Landing Lodge
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Leech Lake Resort B&B
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Big Rock Resort
Family Lore
Our family’s love for Leech Lake began years ago, when our aunt and uncle had a summer home on the water. From the start, traditions formed that still guide our weekends: a welcome cocktail on the patio at Chase on the Lake, followed by a big family dinner, then heading to the lake house for classic s’mores under the fading light. Saturdays are reserved for pontoon adventures, and this year we made our way to the sandbar in Walker Bay, stopping at Shingobee along the way for a quick bathroom break—and of course, a cocktail. The nights always end with dancing and family karaoke at the Legion just down the street, carrying the day’s memories into the night
If you caught our “Summer Week on Cape Cod” YouTube video and noticed the nod to The Notebook, you should know this tradition actually has deeper roots—originating in Walker, after late-night walks home from the bar. The whole family would pause in the middle of the empty street, lying down across the road under the stars. It’s one of those small, strange rituals that sticks with you—free, reckless, and unforgettable, the kind of memory that defines a place and a family.
Our weekend at Leech Lake was nothing short of magical. From lazy pontoon rides across the sparkling water to laughter-filled moments with the whole family, every second felt like a snapshot of summer bliss. The sunsets were truly unforgettable, painting the sky in shades of gold and pink that made it hard to look away. In our vlog, we captured all these moments - the fun, the quiet, and the little adventures that made this trip so special. It’s a glimpse into the experiences that make travel with loved ones so memorable, and we loved reliving every moment through the lens of the camera.
Leech Lake isn’t just a destination, it’s a feeling, a tradition, a place where time slows down and memories take root. Whether you’re planning your first visit or returning like we do each summer, Walker, Minnesota, has a way of becoming part of your story.