Major city · United States
Ottertail
A weekend lake-and-golf getaway, not a destination for a first-time US trip. Drive from Minneapolis (3 h) or Fargo (1 h); two nights are enough.
Ottertail is a small resort town in northwestern Minnesota, known for its hundreds of lakes, a highly rated golf course and a quiet midwestern pace. It works best as a weekend escape for families or anglers, not as a stop on a longer itinerary unless you are driving between the Twin Cities and the Dakotas.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- avoid Nov–Mar (cold, many businesses close)
- Airports
- FAR · MSP
- Nights
- 2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Ottertail911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Ottertail, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery safe; typical small-town risks like icy roads in winter and mosquitoes in summer.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportFAR Hector International Airport (Fargo) (About 1 h drive; rental cars available.).
- Getting aroundCar is essential.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2–4
- Sit-down mealDinner entrée at supper club$15–30
- Street or quick mealLunch sandwich$8–14
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (local, if available)$10–20
- Budget bedOtter Supper Club & Lodge room, a night, per roomUS$90
- Mid-range bedCabin or resort room, a night, per roomUS$180
- High-end bedCabin or resort room, a night, per roomUS$350
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$80 · Mid US$140 · High US$250
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- FAR Hector International Airport (Fargo) (About 1 h drive; rental cars available.) · MSP Minneapolis–Saint Paul International (About 3 h drive; most visitors come this way.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
Feb
Avoid
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
Mar
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Apr
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
May
not flagged
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jun
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jul
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Dec
Avoid
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jan (−18°C (0°F)0°F (−18°C) low), wettest Jun (11 rain days), driest Feb (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Ottertail: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
−18°C (0°F)0°F (−18°C)
6 rd
Feb
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
−15°C (5°F)5°F (−15°C)
5 rd
Mar
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
7 rd
Apr
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
8 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
10 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
11 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
9 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
7 rd
Nov
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
6 rd
Dec
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
−14°C (7°F)7°F (−14°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Car is essential. Walking is fine near the lakefront but most sights, golf and farms are spread out.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 45 min
Drive south on MN-78 and MN-29, about 45 min
Larger town with the Runestone Museum and Lake Geneva.
Door to door: About 1 h 15 min
Drive east on US-10 and MN-210, about 1 h 15 min
Another lake town with golf and the Whitefish Chain of Lakes.
Door to door: About 1 h
Drive west on I-94, about 1 h
Border city with Fargo; cultural sites and the Hjemkomst Center.
Door to door: About 1 h 30 min
Drive north on MN-78 and US-71, about 1 h 30 min
Gateway to Leech Lake and Chippewa National Forest.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Along MN-78 / near Ottertail Lake
Resorts, cabins and the Otter Supper Club & Lodge; best for lake access.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $70–100 excl. bed
- Mid
- $100–180 excl. bed
- High
- $180+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Cabin or resort room1 × 2 nights × US$180 | US$360 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$140 | US$560 |
| Thumper Pond green fee (18 holes)2 × US$60 · check | US$120 |
| Tube rental (half day)2 × US$25 · check | US$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$109 |
| Trip total≈ US$300 per person per day, bed included | US$1,199 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $2–4 |
| Lunch sandwich | $8–14 |
| Dinner entrée at supper club | $15–30 |
| Gas (per gallon) | $3.50–4.50 (check) |
| Taxi (local, if available) | $10–20 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer weekends book up fast at resorts and cabins; reserve ahead.
- Potato Fest draws crowds in early August; book accommodation early.
- Tubing on the Ottertail River: check water levels and weather before going.
- Winter closures: many restaurants and attractions close from November to March.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
OttertailOttertail
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Take me to this addressTake me to this address
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Fargo airport → Ottertail: about 1 h drive; rental car about $50–80/day (check)
- Minneapolis → Ottertail: about 3 h drive; rental car about $40–70/day (check)
Say or show
- Hello — Hello (hello)
- Thank you — Thank you (thank you)
- How much? — How much? (how much)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Ottertail. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep · avoid Nov–Mar (cold, many businesses close) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Ottertail
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