Mille Lacs Lake
Mille Lacs Lake ( mə-LAKS, also called Lake Mille Lacs or Mille Lacs) is a large, shallow lake in the U.S. state of Minnesota. This is one of the sights of South Harbor Township. For a second stop, Paul Bunyan Land is 20 mi away.
A lake inside South Harbor Township
Winters are cold
January nights drop to 2°, with about 43" of snow a year. When to go ↓
Kathio Township is the nearest base
Kathio Township is 6 miles southwest, with 9 places to stay. Where to stay ↓
Best months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug and Sep
May, June, July, August and September are the mild months, with highs of 66–80°. When to go ↓
Written from NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Overture places to stay, Census town figures, Wikidata and Wikipedia.
The year’s weather
Use the months below to time a visit to Mille Lacs Lake.
Mille Lacs Lake
Mille Lacs Lake ( mə-LAKS, also called Lake Mille Lacs or Mille Lacs) is a large, shallow lake in the U.S. state of Minnesota. It is located in the counties of Mille Lacs, Aitkin, and Crow Wing, roughly 75 miles (121 km) north of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area.
Mille Lacs means "thousand lakes" in French. In the Ojibwe language of the people who historically occupied this area, the lake is called Misi-zaaga'igan ("grand lake").
- Type
- Lake
- Area
- 207 square miles
- Elevation
- 1,250 ft
- Wikipedia readers
- 21K a year
Where to sleep near Mille Lacs Lake
Rooms are nearest in South Harbor Township (3) and Kathio Township (9).
Compare 8 towns
| Town | From Mille Lacs Lake | Drive | Places to stay | People | Typical home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Harbor Township 46% vacation homes | in town | — | 3 2 hotels · 1 campground | 887 | $330K |
| Kathio Township 29% vacation homes | 6 mi southwest | 10 min | 9 3 hotels · 2 lodges & cabins · 3 campgrounds · 1 RV park | 1,568 | $219K |
| East Side Township 52% vacation homes | 7 mi east | 10 min | 5 2 hotels · 2 lodges & cabins · 1 RV park | 682 | $243K |
| Wealthwood Township 57% vacation homes | 9 mi north | 15 min | 6 1 hotel · 2 lodges & cabins · 3 RV parks | 265 | $293K |
| Garrison Township 56% vacation homes | 12 mi west | 20 min | 7 3 hotels · 2 lodges & cabins · 2 campgrounds | 898 | $263K |
| Hazelton Township 60% vacation homes | 9 mi northwest | 15 min | 4 1 hotel · 3 campgrounds | 819 | $359K |
| Lakeside Township 58% vacation homes | 7 mi east | 10 min | 3 2 lodges & cabins · 1 campground | 530 | $363K |
| Isle 27% vacation homes | 12 mi southeast | 15 min | 5 1 inn or B&B · 3 lodges & cabins · 1 campground | 830 | $238K |
Getting there
Nearest airports with airline service
Pair Mille Lacs Lake with these
Other well-known places within 69 miles.
58 mi MuseumHill Museum & Manuscript Library
26 mi MuseumMille Lacs Indian Museum
311 mi AttractionKenney Lake Overlook
53 mi GardenMunsinger Gardens and Clemens Gardens
66 mi MuseumCarlton County History and Heritage Center
69 mi MuseumForest History Center429 mi GardenNorthland ArboretumPhoto credits
Hill Museum & Manuscript Library: Hill Museum & Manuscript Library, CC BY 3.0 · Mille Lacs Indian Museum: McGhiever, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Kenney Lake Overlook: McGhiever, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Munsinger Gardens and Clemens Gardens: Kirs10, Public domain · Carlton County History and Heritage Center: McGhiever, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Forest History Center: Laupeck, CC BY-SA 3.0
Before visiting Mille Lacs Lake
Is Mille Lacs Lake in South Harbor Township?
Yes. It’s inside South Harbor Township, MN.
When is the best time to visit Mille Lacs Lake?
May, June, July, August and September, with highs of 66–80°.
How far is Mille Lacs Lake from Minneapolis and St. Paul?
About 90 miles south of Minneapolis and about 93 miles south of St. Paul, as the crow flies.
What is the closest airport to Mille Lacs Lake?
Brainerd Lakes Regional (BRD), about 26 miles away. The nearest big hub is Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport / Wold–Chamberlain Field (MSP), about 96 miles.
Where should I stay near Mille Lacs Lake?
Kathio Township (6 mi, 9 places to stay), East Side Township (7 mi, 5 places to stay) and Wealthwood Township (9 mi, 6 places to stay).
Ask a local in South Harbor Township
Questions and tips go in South Harbor Township’s Town Square.
Sources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · NOAA climate normals · U.S. Census.