Discover Isle: Beach, Trail, and History

Isle brings together several different travel interests: shoreline and harbor, park amenities, trails, and the history of Mille Lacs Lake and the region. Isle Lakeview Park and Father Hennepin State Park offer different points of interest; the Soo Line Trail and a museum on Main Street are also nearby. If you’re looking for a hotel in Isle, you can prioritize these attractions according to whether water, outdoor activities, or history matters most to your stay.

Shoreline, Harbor, and Water

Isle Lakeview Park is on the lakeside of Main Street at 5th Avenue. Malone Island, also called Great Island or Big Island, partially encloses Isle Harbor and protects it during storms. All three names refer to the same island. These places offer different points of reference for finding your way around the water: the park’s location on a street, and the island’s connection to the harbor. This makes it easy to consider the waterfront park and harbor landscape as separate points of interest.

Beach and Trails at the State Park

Father Hennepin State Park is at the western end of Main Street, on the western edge of Isle. It has a large sandy beach for swimming and two boat access points. The park also has 4.5 miles of hiking trails. These features appeal to different interests: swimming, boat access, or walking trails. When planning your visit, you can decide how the state park fits in based on which of these activities matters most to your stay.

The Soo Line Trail

The Soo Line Trail offers a different kind of experience: it runs between Onamia and Isle, is paved, and is used for biking and hiking. Off-highway vehicles and snowmobiles also use it as a route. The abandoned Soo Line railroad right-of-way runs through Isle. When comparing it with Father Hennepin State Park, consider trail type and length: the park has 4.5 miles of hiking trails, while the paved trail between Onamia and Isle is 11 miles long. This lets you think of the state park’s hiking trails and a longer paved route as distinct trail options.

History at the Museum

The Mille Lacs Lake Historical Society Museum is on Main Street in Isle and features permanent and changing exhibits. Topics include the history of Mille Lacs Lake, the fur trade, the logging industry, railroads, pioneer settlements, and agriculture. These topics give the museum a broad historical scope: the fur trade and logging industry represent economic topics, railroads represent transportation, and pioneer settlements and agriculture cover additional areas; the history of the lake adds another perspective. This is a different travel focus from the beach or trail: rather than a single recreational activity, the museum highlights several aspects of history. Main Street is also a shared point of reference for finding your way around town: the museum is located there, and Lakeview Park is on its lakeside near 5th Avenue.

Discover more destinations: Onamia, Milaca.

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