Lakes Country

West-central Minnesota
By Nicole Thom-Arens Published in 2025
Rolling hills and green pastures extend for miles as my son, Liam, and I drove east on County Road Ten in western Minnesota. The upper Midwest is gorgeous in the summer as landscapes fill with green fields and trees to the horizon. It’s hard not to be inspired during the growing season when nature works her magic to bring sustenance to what was once lifeless. One of the perks of living in Fargo, North Dakota, is its proximity to Minnesota’s Lakes Country. While being on the water is a great way to enjoy the region, some of the gems of northwestern and north-central Minnesota are on land making it the perfect daytrip destination.
Lakes Fika: Lake Park, Minnesota
From Fargo, we headed straight for Lakes Fika—an adorable café with a small home goods section—on the shore of Lake Ida and near one of the public boat launches for Big Cormorant Lake. Lakes Fika, formerly Ella Marie’s Café and Collectables, has been serving coffee and treats for more than ten years. I first happened upon it while scouting boat ramps with my husband during the summer of 2024. Knowing we can swing in for a pick-me-up before fishing is just the right motivation to get me out of bed early. I’m obsessed with the assortment of home goods and books curated for the shop. Fika, a Swedish coffee break tradition that usually includes caffeine and a sweet baked good, clearly inspired the collection.
On the morning of our visit, I pick out a nine-by-thirteen-inch cake pan with lid and a baking-themed watercolor notebook. As we checked out, Liam ordered a blueberry scone and I a green smoothie. We took our order to go and headed for our next stop—the beach.
The Beach: Vergas, Minnesota
Vergas, just 20 miles away from Lakes Fika, has a small public beach that is easily accessible from the road. We pulled into the parking area, took a seat on a beach towel set on the sand, and watched the waves gently roll into the shore while we enjoyed our morning fika. It was a warm Wednesday, and the beach already had plenty of visitors. Kids ran from the sand to the water and back again. Some filled buckets with water while others splashed in the small waves. Most of the parents sat on the beach enjoying the lingering tranquility of the morning. Before we left Vergas, we walked a short way from the beach to the Long Lake Fishing Pier—a sturdy dock for local and passing fishermen—for a pretty view of the water.
Jacob Everear: Frazee, Minnesota
A day in Lakes Country isn’t complete, for me, without a hike. It doesn’t have to be long or difficult, but I love getting out into the wild for a bit. Embarking on the Detroit Lakes Troll Hunt is a great way to take a walk with purpose. The beautiful, short hike to Jacob Everear in Frazee (just eight miles from Vergas) weaved through blooming prairies and past a picturesque covered bridge—of all the troll hikes, the hike to Jacob is my favorite.
Downtown: Perham, Minnesota
Our last stop on our daytrip to Lakes Country was Perham, a vibrant community near Little Pine and Big Pine lakes. I love a great downtown and Perham does not disappoint. We stopped into Brew Ales and Eats for lunch. Liam ordered the Thai shrimp tacos; I ordered the smoked turkey sandwich on cranberry wild rice bread with a cup of beer cheese soup. The tacos were a bit one-note in terms of flavor and texture, but the soup and sandwich were quite good, so Liam ate half his meal and then half my sandwich. According to the waitress, the sandwich is a favorite and people stop in just for the soup.
After lunch, we meandered our way down the street and stopped into some of our favorite shops, including North Pines Market where I picked up an adorable white pitcher vase decorated with delicate blue flowers; North Threads, a clothing boutique; Big Pine Books where Liam played a tune on the piano and we each picked out a new book; Bay Window Quilt Shop because a fabric store reminds me of my mom, the quilter, and browsing fabric is a favorite pastime; and The Back Porch, which has a large collection of kitchen and home goods.
By mid-afternoon, we were shopped out and headed back to Fargo on Highway Ten taking us through Detroit Lakes. A day in Lakes Country is a bit like stepping back in time for me. It’s a reminder of the smaller communities I once called home and how small towns develop unique charm when locals invest in the places where they live and share their passions with the people around them. By water or by land, Minnesota’s Lakes Country is a lovely place to spend the day.