FEATURED MEMBER: Ivanhoe Resort
August 15, 2012
I had the opportunity to speak with the owner of Ivanhoe Resort of Walker, MN. Mary and her husband have owned and operated the Ivanhoe Resort for about 35 years. It has only switched ownership 4 times since it was built during the depression! Mary was inside taking a break when I called. It was the first nice spring day of the season and they were working to get the water turned on and the docks in the water! She said running constantly is pretty normal in the spring! She was happy to take a break and share some details about the resort!
She describes their Minnesota resort as a “family resort” appealing to families and fishermen alike. They offer guests all kinds of complimentary recreational amenities including badminton, shuffleboard, volleyball, canoes, kayaks, playground, game room and a bonfire every night the weather permits! The resort also features nice cottages, a lodge, boats and motors for guests to use, a bait house, fish cleaning house, and weekly fishing seminars. They are located in a harbor with covered docks for the use of guests. Mary pointed out that the lake is great for fishing, but also for water skiing and other water sports. She says, “no one gets in the way of each other because the lake is so big! And if it’s windy, you can always find a bay to go to that is calm.”
Ivanhoe Resort of Walker, MN is within 3 minutes of entertainment in the Walker area with supper clubs, art galleries, tackle shops, churches, golf courses, a movie theater, additional hiking trails, and shopping for everyone! They are just one mile from the Northern Lights Gaming Emporium, 20 minutes from the Deep Portage Conservation Reserve, and 45 minutes from the Itasca State Park!
Mary described the overall atmosphere at the resort to be “laid back and very relaxing,” which is exactly the feeling I got just talking with her. With the seclusion of the resort, right on the water, and so close to nature it seems like an escape from real-world! Mary said her favorite part of running the property is “meeting all kinds of different people from all over.” Ivanhoe Resort is a popular place for newcomers and regular seasonal visitors. They are a Minnesota vacation destination for many leisure seeking travelers, sport fishermen or leisure fishermen, and recreation seeking visitors. Once people go there one time, they are likely to be repeat visitors. Mary comments on her repeat visitors and series of generations that have been coming back for years and says, “we watch them grow up and bring their children!”