The history of Little Winnie Resort is closely intertwined with the history of Lake Winnibigoshish. The resort was built in 1930 and was originally named Little Winnie Lodge. The original cabins rented for $15 per week and were very rustic. According to the original owner, Mel Olson,there weren’t any “modern” cabins in the area until after World War II. The area didn’t have electricity until 1943. Area roads at the time were also nothing more than trails through the brush. Olson said that if you were to meet another car on the “road” to Bena one of you would have to find a place in the forest to “turn out” in order to let the other car past.

Much has changed in the 85+ years since Little Winnie’s beginning. In 2000, the Graupmann family purchased the resort. They enlarged the lodge to add a restroom, a bait and tackle shop, a gift shop and an indoor fish-cleaning house. They also added a heated swimming pool, a large patio out front, and purchased new boats and motors for rental use. They have updated and renovated several of the cabins and enlarged the seasonal campground which includes full hookups and a centralized shower house.

Since it’s beginning in 1930, Little Winnie Resort has always had a high percentage of repeat customers. Over the years, amenities and services have been added to make your vacation more enjoyable; but the atmosphere and wild beauty and peacefulness of the northwoods and Little Winnie Resort remain.

Call 218-246-8501 today to experience a great Minnesota vacation in one of Minnesota’s most historic areas.