Crow Wing Crest Resort

Our extended family has been coming here for about a decade, and the resort is a lovely spot for getting together. It’s peaceful, has great views, and offers several cabin options. The staff clearly care about the environment and encourage guests to do the same. There’s excellent fishing, a beach, a floating dock with water toys, and boats to rent, plus a wood-fired sauna. Kids have daily games and activities, while adults can book massages and other spa-like activities. It’s a short drive to Itaska State Park. Dogs and fireworks aren’t allowed. We’d absolutely recommend staying here if you can get in.

The prices seem crazy low to me. I even tell the owners they should charge more, lol. I spent many summers here as a kid, and it’s a fantastic place to make memories. You can have a bonfire on the beach under the moonlight, which is beautiful, and there’s bingo in the historic lodge and a classic arcade to keep you busy. Boats are available to rent, while kayaks and other water things are free. The owners are awesome, kind, and knowledgeable, and they keep the place clean and quaint. Enjoy your summer at the lake!

We had so much fun at the swimming area, with paddle boards, kayaks, canoes, paddle boats, blow-up floats and toys, and even a little paddle boat for small kids. The lake was very clear, we could see about 7 feet down, and fishing was great. The swimming area was seaweed-free, which is rare in my experience, and the well-kept grounds weren’t buggy enough for us to use much bug spray. There were spa treatments and massages for adults, plus arts and crafts and a nature hike for kids. They showed the children how to feed chipmunks by hand, and my 4-year-old felt like a Disney princess, lol! We came with a large group and rented about 10 cabins. There was just one small problem, a running toilet, and it was fixed within an hour. Everything was very clean, and I liked that the owners use natural cleaning products. The owners and staff were incredibly nice and hospitable, and we felt welcome. It was our first visit this year, and I was impressed. I’ve gone every year since that review, and the place keeps getting better. We’ve already booked for next year. Highly recommend!

The retreat was a mixed experience because all the big-ticket services were already full by the time we arrived. We understand the supply and demand problem, with too few practitioners or spaces available, but I’d suggest limiting how many services each guest can book. We noticed the same two or three people taking them all. They were within their rights, of course, but it didn’t feel very courteous to the other retreat guests. Even so, we enjoyed ourselves, tried a few new things, met some people, and relaxed, which was the goal. The location is beautiful, and the lake is quiet and serene. The owners and staff are top notch. We stayed in the little playhouse cabin. It was quaint and had everything we needed. It wasn’t a luxury suite, but we had no complaints. We hope to come back soon!