Detroit Lakes, Minnesota
Detroit Lakes is a city of 10,025 people in Becker County, Minnesota, founded in 1871.
Why visit Detroit Lakes
Townapedia lists 6 museums and landmarks, 16 parks and trails, 46 places to eat, 20 places to stay and 3 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Odyssey Cinemas Washington Square 7, Detroit Mountain, Detroit Lakes and Becker County Museum.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 79°F; January lows average -4°F, and about 48 inches of snow fall in a normal year.
Weather in Detroit Lakes
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Detroit Lakes
Detroit Lakes is a city in and the county seat of Becker County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 9,869 at the 2020 census. Its unofficial population during the summer is higher, estimated by citizens to peak at 13,000, due to seasonal residents and tourists.
From the Wikipedia article Detroit Lakes, Minnesota (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do3
Museums and landmarks6
Detroit Lakes
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.8 mi
Railway station
Parks, trails and playgrounds16
4 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes46
Hub 41
Diner · American
1377 West Lake Drive
Mo-Th 11:00-23:00; Fr 11:00-00:00; Sa 09:00-01:00; Su 09:00-23:00
Long Bridge
Diner · American · 1.8 mi
2000 Long Bridge Road
May 27-Sep 3 11:00-01:00; May 27-Sep 3 Fr,Sa 11:00-02:00; Mo-Th...
Sapphire Sushi, Hibachi & American Cuisine
Restaurant · Sushi, Hibachi, American · 0.9 mi
705 US 10
Mo-Tu 15:00-21:00; We-Sa 11:00-21:00; Su 11:00-20:00
Bucks Mill Brewing
Bar and pub · 0.7 mi
824 Washington Avenue
Mo 15:00-21:00; Tu 16:00-22:00; We,Th 15:00-22:00; Fr 12:00-22:00;...
Chinese Dragon
Restaurant · Chinese · 0.7 mi
808 Washington Avenue, Detroit Lakes
Tu-Su 11:00-20:00
908 Coffee + Tea
Cafe · Coffee Shop, Tea · 0.6 mi
908 Washington Avenue, Detroit Lakes
Mo-Sa 07:00-17:00
34 more on the map.
History
Detroit Lakes was founded in 1871 by Colonel George Johnston. It was called Detroit until 1927, when it was renamed to avoid confusion with Detroit, Michigan. The name was given by a French missionary. "Détroit" means "strait" or "narrows", and refers to the sandbar separating Big Detroit lake from Little Detroit lake. In the late 19th century, the sandbar was dredged and partially submerged to make the Pelican River watershed navigable by steamboat.
Detroit Lakes was a resting place on the Red River Oxcart Trails. Its Ojibwe name is Gaiajawangag, meaning a lake with a crossing in a sandy place.
The city grew quickly with the construction of the Northern Pacific Railroad. In 1877, an election decided that Detroit Lakes, then still known as Detroit, would be the county seat. By 1884, Detroit Lakes had many businesses, including the Hotel Minnesota, the Lakes Hotel, a bank, a newspaper, and an opera house. The first county courthouse was also built in Detroit Lakes that year. Some of the city's historic buildings still stand, such as the 1908 railroad station and the Holmes Theater. The Becker County Museum, now an addition to the Holmes Theater, has information and exhibits on the history of the city and the surrounding area.
From the History section of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay20
AmericInn by Wyndham Detroit Lakes
Motel and hotel · 0.9 mi
777 Highway 10 E, Detroit Lakes
Best Western Premier the Lodge On Lake Detroit
Motel and hotel · 1.8 mi
1200 East Shore Drive, Detroit Lakes
Churches and places of worship11
Shopping16
Gas and EV charging9
Schools, colleges and libraries15
Detroit Lakes Alternative Program
School · 1.5 mi
900 Highway 34 E, Detroit Lakes
Detroit Lakes Area Learning Center
School · 1.5 mi
900 Highway 34 E, Detroit Lakes
Healthcare5
Map of Detroit Lakes
147 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 17°F | -4°F | 0.8 in | 8.3 in |
| Feb | 23°F | 0°F | 0.7 in | 9.4 in |
| Mar | 36°F | 15°F | 1.0 in | 7.7 in |
| Apr | 52°F | 29°F | 2.0 in | 5.3 in |
| May | 66°F | 42°F | 3.7 in | 0.0 in |
| Jun | 76°F | 53°F | 4.9 in | 0.0 in |
| Jul | 79°F | 58°F | 4.3 in | 0.0 in |
| Aug | 78°F | 55°F | 3.3 in | 0.0 in |
| Sep | 70°F | 46°F | 3.5 in | 0.0 in |
| Oct | 53°F | 34°F | 2.8 in | 1.1 in |
| Nov | 37°F | 19°F | 1.4 in | 4.8 in |
| Dec | 22°F | 6°F | 1.0 in | 11.0 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Detroit Lakes 1 Nne Hcn (2 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Becker County has had 9 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for floods.
- 2020-04-07: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
- 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
- 2011-05-10: Severe Storms And Flooding (Flood)
- 2009-04-09: Severe Storms And Flooding (Severe Storm)
- 2006-06-05: Flooding (Flood)
- 2005-09-13: Hurricane Katrina Evacuation (Hurricane)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Detroit Lakes Airport (DTL) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 2 miles away.
- Audubon 8 mi northwest, about 12 min by car
- Frazee 9 mi southeast, about 14 min by car
- Lake Park 13 mi northwest, about 21 min by car
- Perham 19 mi southeast, about 31 min by car
- Pelican Rapids 20 mi southwest, about 32 min by car
- White Earth 20 mi north, about 33 min by car
- Hawley 23 mi west, about 37 min by car
- Hitterdal 23 mi northwest, about 37 min by car
- Barnesville 29 mi west, about 47 min by car
- Fargo 47 mi west, about 1 h 15 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Washington Avenue at Front Street looking south, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, Myotus, CC BY 4.0
- Detroit Lakes Depot, McGhiever, CC BY-SA 3.0
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