Things to Do Near Malmo and Mille Lacs: A Local’s Guide from Deer Lake
By admin December 11, 2025 One of the joys of staying at Deer Lake Farmstead is how easy it is to slide between quiet, non-motorized Deer Lake and the bigger world of Mille Lacs Lake just down the road. You can spend the morning paddling in calm water, hop over to Malmo Bay on Mille Lacs for lunch or a boat ride, and still be back in time to watch the sunset over the farm fields.
This guide pulls together some of our favorite things to do near Malmo and Mille Lacs—from state parks and trails to places to eat, shop, and explore. Think of it as a starting point for planning weekends and longer stays, with Deer Lake Farmstead as your home base.
On the Water: Deer Lake & Mille Lacs
Right outside your door, Deer Lake Farmstead is the “quiet one” in the neighborhood: non-motorized, calm, and just right for paddling, fishing off the dock, or floating with a book. Many guests build easy routines around morning kayak laps and evening bobbers in the water, never needing to load a trailer or launch at a crowded access.
When you’re ready for big-water adventure, you’re less than a mile from Malmo Bay on Mille Lacs Lake, easily reached by car, bike, or a short golf cart ride where permitted. From there, Mille Lacs opens up in every direction for:
- Walleye and multi-species fishing
- Pleasure cruising and sailing
- Lakeside dining and beverages with a view
For broader planning, the official tourism site, Lake Mille Lacs, is a handy hub for things to do, eat and drink, and events all around the lake.
State Parks & Trails: Beaches, Views, and Hikes
If you like a mix of hiking, swimming, and scenic drives, you’re in a sweet spot.
Just a short drive from Deer Lake Farmstead, Father Hennepin State Park on the southeast shore of Mille Lacs offers a sandy swimming beach, picnic areas, fishing piers, and easy shoreline walks with big-lake views. It’s an easy “pack a cooler and go” option for a beach day.
👉 Father Hennepin State Park
A little farther around the lake, Mille Lacs Kathio State Park adds a different feel—more forest, more history, and a 100-foot fire tower you can climb for a sweeping view of the lake and surrounding woods, plus miles of trails for hiking, skiing, and snowshoeing.
👉 Mille Lacs Kathio State Park
For bike rides, walks, and powersports, the Soo Line Trail connects towns like Onamia, Wahkon, and Isle along an old railroad grade, with both paved sections (great for biking and walking) and longer ATV/snowmobile stretches through woods and farmland.
👉 Soo Line Trail – Explore Minnesota
For more hiking ideas across the region, the Mille Lacs tourism site has a nice overview:
👉 Hiking Near Lake Mille Lacs Lake Mille Lacs Resorts
Culture & History: Mille Lacs Indian Museum & Trading Post
For a deeper understanding of the area you’re staying in, it’s absolutely worth planning a visit to the Mille Lacs Indian Museum & Trading Post in Onamia. The museum tells the story of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe through exhibits, artifacts, and living culture, and the adjacent 1930s trading post offers Native-made art, jewelry, and gifts.
👉 Mille Lacs Indian Museum & Trading Post
It’s an easy day trip from Deer Lake Farmstead and pairs nicely with a stop at Kathio State Park or a drive around part of the Lake Mille Lacs Scenic Byway, which circles the lake with overlooks, small-town stops, and historic roadside parks. Wikipedia
Small-Town Stops: Malmo, Isle, Wahkon, Aitkin
Malmo is your handy little gateway—a place to grab fuel, bait, a quick bite, or a burger before or after time on the lake. A short drive in any direction takes you to more small towns with their own character:
- Isle – Lakeside cafés, restaurants, and access to Father Hennepin State Park.
- Wahkon – Classic bars and grills, access to the Soo Line Trail, and events throughout the year.
- Aitkin – Your “bigger town” for full grocery runs, pharmacies, hardware, coffee shops, and local boutiques.
For a broad look at where to eat and drink around the lake—from fish fries and bar food to family-friendly cafés—start here:
👉 Eat & Drink – Lake Mille Lacs Directory Lake Mille Lacs Resorts
You’ll also find local markets, seasonal ice cream, and the kind of small-town stops that turn into personal traditions: a reliable breakfast spot, a favorite Friday-night fish fry, or a go-to place for “we forgot the____” errands.
ATV, Snowmobile & Year-Round Adventure
If you’re into ATV riding or snowmobiling, the Mille Lacs area is built for it. Long, scenic routes lace through forest and farmland, often tying into the Soo Line and other regional trails.
For route ideas and maps, you can dig into:
Many Deer Lake Farmstead guests use their seasonal RV site as a basecamp for powersports, storing machines locally and heading out for day rides around the region when conditions are right.
Events, Live Music & Local Happenings
Some guests love planning their stays around events—from fishing tournaments and powwows to live music, meat raffles, and farmers markets.
A few helpful calendars and hubs:
- Lake Mille Lacs Events Calendar – Festivals, workshops, tournaments, and more. Lake Mille Lacs Resorts
- Weekly Happenings Around Mille Lacs – Ongoing fish fries, bingo nights, and other recurring events. Lake Mille Lacs Resorts
From large regional events to smaller weekly traditions at local bars and resorts, there’s usually something happening within a short drive—yet you still end the night back at quiet Deer Lake.
Making Deer Lake Your Home Base
When you add it all up, the things to do near Malmo and Mille Lacs fall into a nice, balanced mix:
- Quiet paddling and fishing on Deer Lake
- Big water and big fish on Mille Lacs
- State parks with beaches, trails, and fire towers
- Small-town restaurants, markets, and shops
- Cultural stops like the Mille Lacs Indian Museum & Trading Post
- ATV, snowmobile, and hiking routes that change with the seasons
- A steady stream of events, from casual fish fries to full-on festivals
The difference at Deer Lake Farmstead is that you get to enjoy all of this from a small, seasonal RV park that stays calm and community-minded. You’re under two hours from the Twin Cities, close enough to come often, and far enough to actually feel “away.”
Ready to Explore From Your Own Seasonal Site?
If you’re reading this and imagining your own routine—coffee on the deck, a paddle on Deer Lake, a run to Malmo Bay, maybe dinner in Isle or Wahkon—it might be time to look at seasonal options.
Take a spin through our Seasonal RV Sites page to see how our sites are laid out and what’s included, then reach out with questions or to talk through availability and fit.
You can contact Deer Lake Farmstead at 218-232-3060 or [email protected] to explore whether our seasonal RV park near Mille Lacs feels like the right home base for your time in lake country.
You Might Also Like
Must Read
