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Explore the Northwoods
Our guide to the Aitkin/Crosby area
Coffee shops, good food, trails, lake days and seasonal fun: the places we love, close to Elm Island Lake.
Our local favorites
Where to go, what to eat, what to do
Beanery Cafe & Roastery
A cozy coffeehouse and roastery in historic downtown Aitkin.
Aitkin
Block North Brew Pub
Downtown brewpub with beer brewed on site and a full menu.
Aitkin
Rosallini's
Our pick for pizza night.
Aitkin
Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area
Mountain-bike trails and clear mine-pit lakes for paddling and swimming.
Crosby–Ironton
Elm Island Lake
Right outside the door, with use of the dock. Bring your own boat if you like.
At the cabin
Curio North
Antiques and gifts for a slow, rainy afternoon.
Moose Lodge meat raffle
Every Saturday. A true Minnesota tradition: buy a few tickets and maybe take home dinner.
All year long
Every season has its own reason
Spring
- Loons back on the lake
- Quiet trails
- Coffee as the ice goes out
Summer
- Swimming and fishing
- Bring your own boat
- Sunsets over the water
Fall
- Color all around the lake
- Crisp mornings
- Hikes through the trees
Winter
- Snow on the pines
- Evenings by the fire
- Slow mornings
Getting here
Elm Island Lake, Minnesota
We're in the Aitkin/Crosby area of Minnesota's Northwoods.
For guests' privacy and ours, the exact address and directions are shared after booking. It's about 2 hours from Minneapolis–St. Paul, an hour and a half from Duluth and 45 minutes from Brainerd.