A One-in-a-Million Lake with a Million Reasons to Visit

Crystal-clear waters. Complimentary activities. A championship golf course. Eagles and Deer and a whole Fox Family. If you’re not convinced yet, maybe vacations aren’t for you.

WANT TO GET AWAY? THERE’S ROOM FOR YOU HERE.
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Welcome to the Northwoods

Set your Out of Office and don’t look back. Located deep in the heart of northern Minnesota⁠—near Grand Rapids, MN⁠—our secluded lakeside resort is surrounded by the oaks and maples of the Minnesota Northwoods. You’ll find relaxation in our comfortable lodging, adventure as you explore our expansive grounds and natural surroundings, and fun in our free outdoor activities.

Whether you’re looking for an active summer lake vacation, a memorable family reunion, or a relaxing and romantic getaway, our family-owned and operated lodge is the place to stay.

  • Lakefront Lodge Rooms
  • Lakeside Cabins
  • Golf Course Villas

No Matter Your Group Size, You’ll
Eat Well Here.

Group 54

Overlooking Sugar Lake and the 18th hole of Sugarbrooke Golf Course, Otis’s Grill & Bar offers a casual, indoor and outdoor pub environment serving appetizers, a variety of hand-crafted burgers, a shore-lunch walleye sandwich that some people wait all year for, and a variety of evening entrees and specials.

Our focus is quality: high quality ingredients, recipes, timing, and vibes. We believe in dining at your own pace – want to get in and get out? Done. Want to chill for a while? Sold.

The bar features a wide selection of Minnesota and Wisconsin-brewed beer, wine that actually tastes good, specialty cocktails to enhance the summer feel, and a variety of mocktails to ensure our NA besties are well taken care of.

Group 55

From family reunions to friend group getaways to company events, Sugar Lake Lodge provides professional in-house catering for a variety of small and large-scale events. Our talented kitchen staff, led by renowned executive-level chefs, expertly craft a custom menu for your event, whether it only lasts a day, a weekend, or an entire week. The food is fresh, the ingredients are locally sourced, and the resulting dishes are a surefire way to wow your guests and keep them happy.

What to Do, See, and Discover
During Your Stay

Sugar Lake Lodge Resort in Minnesota

The Cleanest, Clearest Lake In Minnesota Awaits

Sugar Lake provides 26 feet of clarity and a unique Caribbean color, making it ideal for a wide array of water activities.

  • Rent a pontoon and take the whole event with you on the water
  • Rent a kayak, canoe, paddle board, or sailboat for free and enjoy paddling in solitude.
  • Looking for a quiet afternoon of fishing? Cast your line in from one of our aluminum motorized fishing boats.
  • And, of course, you’re always welcome to bring your own boat for tubing, skiing, and wakeboarding. Feel free to dock it at the lodge at no cost – just be sure to let us check it for aquatic invasive species first!
sugar lake lodge mn

White Sand Beach and Mini Docks

Some of the shoreline that surrounds the crystal-blue waters of Sugar Lake is filled with soft, white sand beaches that are an excellent place to build a sandcastle, soak up the warm summer sun, or make a splash in the water! One of those beaches is located right outside of our lodge, which is why we’ve been named a “best resort beach” in Minnesota by Star Tribune.The sand is warm, generally rock-free, and frequently combed to maintain a picture-perfect place that is comfortable on the feet and easy on the eyes.

Looking for a spot to relax, read a book, and feel those lakeside vibes? Our “mini docks” are quiet, cozy places to enjoy some time alone, connect with family and friends, or cast a line and fish for walleye, bass, sunfish, and crappie.

minnesota resort

Lounger’s Paradise

Our outdoor pool is conveniently located down by the beach, giving you a great view of Sugar Lake as you relax. Pull up a chair, read a book, have a drink, get a tan, or go for a swim. Whether you’re there with friends, a partner, or the kids, this is the place to enjoy the lake from a classic Minnesota resort setting.

Sugar Lake Lodge Minnesota Resort

We’re No Lake Placid, But We Do Have Some Game

As self-proclaimed elite athletes, we both offer and participate in a host of games and sports. Looking to claim bragging rights? Feel free to challenge a Sugar Lake team member, start a tournament with strangers, or go toe to toe with friends and family.

  • Tennis and Pickleball Courts: Play tennis on our court or pickleball on one of our two courts. Just don’t go all John McEnroe on anyone.
  • Basketball and Volleyball Courts: Organize a volleyball match or play a pick-up game on our basketball courts. Challenge our very own Tim and Brady to a riveting game of HORSE for resort-wide clout.
  • Horseshoes & Bocce Ball: Abnormally talented at lawn games? Show off your useless skills in a game of horseshoes, or get a group together for a round of bocce ball. Just watch your ankles!
  • Playground: drop the kids off and go enjoy your vacation. Just kidding… please supervise your children at all times, but they will have a great time on this fun little patch of the grounds (the mud kitchen is a fan favorite!)
minnesota golf package

Hit the Links at Sugarbrooke

Stunning views, wildlife, dense natural vegetation, and the sparkling waters of Sugar Lake all compete for your attention, making every swing a bit more challenging—and rewarding—all the way to the 18th hole.

Sugarbrooke Golf Course at Sugar Lake Lodge is a Joel Goldstrand design with two distinctly different nines. The front nine (The Gabe Nine) is open and widespread, while the back nine (The Rädi Nine) is carved right into the forest. We named it “Sugarbrooke” after the brook meandering through the signature 18th hole. The course been described as fun, laid-back, and “vibey”; all accolades we take VERY seriously.

The Fun Continues Throughout the Grand Rapids Area

Sugar Lake Lodge is located just minutes from the renowned Tioga Recreation Area, and driving distance from Cuyuna Lakes, both must-visit attractions for mountain bikers.

For those looking for a more relaxing hiking or cycling trail, Sugar Hills, the Chippewa National Forest, and the Mesabi Trail are all top recreation destinations in the area.

Grand Rapids also offers a small-town feel with shops, restaurants, and breweries just 10 miles from the resort.

A Meeting Venue Unlike Any Other

Meeting at Sugar Lake Lodge is an immersive experience that feels exclusive, personalized, and shielded from the distractions of the real world. We provide the venue, lodging, technology, and tools you need.

WE CAN HOST YOUR:

Team Bonding Activities in Minnesota

Most retreat venues advertise some sort of team building or team bonding experience. These programs usually consist of the same activities: games like axe throwing, hammerschlagen, scavenger hunts, and blind trust falls. Truthfully, those activities are better suited for summer camp, or a holiday party. Sure, they have their place, but they won’t actually improve the performance of your team, or your business.

At Sugar Lake Lodge, we are (and partner with) leadership and team development facilitators who present challenging, game-changing, and truly rewarding activities. Everything we do is results-based and outcomes-focused. It begins with a discussion about your goals—why are you here and what do you want to accomplish? Are you training a new generation of leaders? Are you struggling to juggle hybrid/in-person connections? Building a specialized team? Onboarding new team members? Growing rapidly?

Uncovering what you want to accomplish helps our experts curate a high-performing team building program that is targeted, applicable, and highly effective. These custom programs consist of interactive experiential activities that fundamentally change how your team thinks and works together to solve complex business problems.

corporate retreat venue

Meeting at Sugar Lake Lodge is an immersive experience that feels exclusive, personalized, and shielded from the distractions of the real world. Companies don’t come here simply to meet and plan; they come with a specific outcome in mind, and they need a place disconnected from everything else to focus on achieving their goal.

We provide the venue, technology, and most importantly, the facilitation needed to achieve the desired outcome.

We provide the space and the rubric for results-focused, outcome-based company retreats that are customizable based on your goals. Whether you’re working on strategic planning, leadership development, employee onboarding, or board integration, we’ll give you everything you need for a successful event, guiding you through the entire process from start to finish.

Sugar Lake Lodge Resort Activities

As a family-owned Minnesota resort and event center, we understand the importance of connecting with your family. Every guest that stays with us, and every family that reconnects on the shore of Sugar Lake, are all welcomed to our resort with open arms. You’re greeted like we’ve known you for years, and that is exactly the case for many of the families who hold their summer reunions here year after year.

We’ve watched multiple families grow over the years, seeing new generations of children go from infants to teenagers to adults. Connecting with family and friends is what life’s all about, and we are so happy to be the facilitators that make it all possible.

minnesota wedding venue

The sparkling aquamarine waters of Sugar Lake and pristine Northwoods backdrop make Sugar Lake Lodge one of the top destination wedding venues in Minnesota. Our breathtaking outdoor event spaces and spacious indoor event rooms can accommodate large groups with ease, and our staff make sure you have everything you need on your big day.

We work directly with you on setting a date, room blocks, menu and bar selection, and all the other small, but important details! We offer in-house catering options or are happy to recommend experienced, local vendors who can provide everything you need to make your celebration personal and special to you.

Team Building Program

Team Bonding Activities in Minnesota

Most retreat venues advertise some sort of team building or team bonding experience. These programs usually consist of the same activities: games like axe throwing, hammerschlagen, scavenger hunts, and blind trust falls. Truthfully, those activities are better suited for summer camp, or a holiday party. Sure, they have their place, but they won’t actually improve the performance of your team, or your business.

At Sugar Lake Lodge, we are (and partner with) leadership and team development facilitators who present challenging, game-changing, and wildly rewarding activities. Everything we do is results based and outcome focused. It begins with a discussion about your goals—why are you here and what do you want to accomplish? Are you training a new generation of leaders? Building a specialized team for a specific company capability? Onboarding new team members?

Uncovering what you want to accomplish helps our experts curate a high-performing team building program that is targeted, applicable, and highly effective. These custom programs consist of interactive experiential activities that fundamentally change how your team thinks and works together to solve complex business problems.

Company Event

corporate retreat venue mn

Meeting at Sugar Lake Lodge is an immersive experience that feels exclusive, personalized, and shielded from the distractions of the real world. Companies don’t come here simply to meet and plan; they come with a specific outcome in mind, and they need a place disconnected from everything else to focus on achieving their goal.

We provide the venue, technology, and most importantly, the facilitation needed to achieve the desired outcome.

Corporate Retreat

We provide the space and the rubric for results-focused, outcome-based company retreats that are customizable based on your goals. Whether you’re working on strategic planning, leadership development, employee onboarding, or board integration, we’ll give you everything you need for a successful event, guiding you through the entire process from start to finish.

Family Reunion

Have a Blast with a Family Reunion in Minnesota

As a family-owned Minnesota resort and event center, we understand the importance of connecting with your family. Every guest that stays with us, and every family that reconnects on the shore of Sugar Lake, are all welcomed to our resort with open arms. You’re greeted like we’ve known you for years, and that is exactly the case for many of the families who hold their summer reunions here year after year.

We’ve watched multiple families grow over the years, seeing new generations of children go from infants to teenagers to adults. Connecting with family and friends is what life’s all about, and we are so happy to be the facilitators that make it all possible.

Destination Wedding

The sparkling aquamarine waters of Sugar Lake and pristine Northwoods backdrop make Sugar Lake Lodge one of the top destination wedding venues in Minnesota. Our breathtaking outdoor event spaces and spacious indoor event rooms can accommodate large groups with ease, and our staff make sure you have everything you need on your big day.

We work directly with you on setting a date, room blocks, menu and bar selection, and all the other small, but important details! We offer in-house catering options or are happy to recommend experienced, local vendors who can provide everything you need to make your celebration personal and special to you.

INDOOR MEETING SPACES

With a dozen event room options (and plenty of other common areas), our indoor meeting and retreat venue is well-suited for any organization of any size. Whether you have a dozen people or over a hundred, we can accommodate your team for a day, weekend, week, or longer.

Our main lodge has 109 guest rooms, a spacious conference room that seats up to 195 people, smaller training and board rooms for breakout sessions, and many other spaces for you to spread out or work closely together.

OUTDOOR MEETING SPACES

Our outdoor company retreat spaces are what put us on the map as one of the most in-demand retreat destinations in Minnesota. The crystal-clear waters of Sugar Lake and the wide-open spaces on our 400 acre resort grounds create a unique space that plays a pivotal role in our experiential process. It’s the reason why industry-leading facilitators run their leadership development cohorts here, and why companies keep coming back to us year after year.

You’ll notice something remarkable as you make the drive here. We’re secluded, and that’s a large part of the experience. Taking people our of their everyday lives, removing the distractions, and cutting them off from the “real world” provides an experience you can’t get anywhere else.

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