Bonnie Beach Resort

Battle Lake, Minnesota · on Clitherall Lake

Verified · 2 independent sources

WATER: lake
ACCESS: Designated swim area
FEE: $490
SEASON: Best in summer

About Bonnie Beach Resort

Bonnie Beach Resort is a family-run lakeside resort on the north shore of Clitherall Lake in Otter Tail County, about 2.5 miles from Battle Lake, Minnesota, operating continuously since 1882. Its 600-foot sandy swimming beach, with a gradual slope and weed-free water, gives guests a ready-made swimming hole and an easy lake to swim in, alongside cabin rentals and boat and paddle equipment.

The resort sits on 8 acres along Clitherall Lake's north shore in west-central Minnesota's Otter Tail County lakes region. Clitherall Lake is a substantial body of water (about 2,493 surface acres, 14.2 miles of shoreline) noted by the resort for water clarity exceeding 13 feet.

Swimming at Bonnie Beach Resort

Swimming takes place off a 600-foot sandy, gradual-slope, weed-free stretch of shoreline described by the resort as suitable for all ages and water sports; a swim raft is anchored offshore, and pedal boats, stand-up paddleboards, and canoes are available for guest use. No independent trip reports describing water depth, clarity in person, or crowd levels were found.

How to get to this swimming hole

Located at 20341 Bonnie Beach Rd, Battle Lake, MN 56515, on the north shore of Clitherall Lake, about 2.5 miles from the town of Battle Lake.

The walk in

No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. Drive/walk-up access only; no trail or hike is involved in reaching the swimming area.

Plan your visit

Bringing kids

Good for kids

Resort explicitly markets itself as family-oriented: 600 ft of gradual-slope, weed-free sand beach with a shallow wading area, life jackets available for guest use, plus playground, high chair, and portable crib provided. No lifeguard is on duty and no independent reports of steep drop-offs, currents, or other hazards were found.

Water clarity

Clear

The resort states Clitherall Lake has 'water clarity of 13+ feet,' a figure repeated on Explore Minnesota's state tourism profile and on the minnesota-resorts.com aggregator listing. All three mentions trace back to the resort's own description rather than an independent water-quality survey, so treat the exact figure as a marketing claim rather than a verified Secchi-disk reading; no third-party (DNR, reviewer, or visitor-report) clarity data was located despite searching.

Hours

No general public operating hours are posted (this is a private resort, not a park). Day visitors who are not overnight guests must get prior approval from the resort and may only visit 10 a.m.-10 p.m., per the resort's rates page.

On the water

CanoesPaddleboardsPedal boatMotorboats

Restrictions: Canoes, pedal boats, and stand-up paddleboards are complimentary with cabin stays; motorized boats (14-18 ft aluminum boats, a 9.9-40 HP outboard, and an 8-person pontoon) are separate paid rentals, and a boat lift is required unless a boat is trailered. Day (non-overnight) visitors need prior resort approval and pay $20/person/day.

No lake-wide no-wake or horsepower-limit information for Clitherall Lake could be confirmed; this reflects only the resort's own rental/use rules.

Rentals nearby

Big Fish Kayaks & Watersports

Kayaks, paddleboards, and tubes

27896 State Highway 78, Battle Lake, MN 56515 (in Battle Lake, roughly 2 miles from the resort) · 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Galloping Goose Rentals

Canoes, kayaks, SUPs, row boats, pedal boats, and bikes

Two locations near Battle Lake: 110 East Main St in downtown Battle Lake, and at Glendalough State Park, 21443 380th Ave, Battle Lake, MN · Mon-Thu 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Fri-Sat 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (starting late June, expanded hours from Memorial Weekend)

Backstory

The resort states it has been operating continuously since 1882, making it one of the oldest resorts in the Battle Lake/Otter Tail County area.

Bonnie Beach Resort: FAQ

Does Bonnie Beach Resort charge a fee?

Overnight cabin rentals run roughly $490-$750/night ($2,050-$3,050/week) depending on season and cabin size (2026 rates). Day visitors who are not overnight guests must be pre-approved and pay $20 per person per day; visiting hours for day guests are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Is Bonnie Beach Resort kid friendly?

Do I need to hike to reach Bonnie Beach Resort?

No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.

Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Bonnie Beach Resort?

No lake-wide no-wake or horsepower-limit information for Clitherall Lake could be confirmed; this reflects only the resort's own rental/use rules.

When is the best time to visit Bonnie Beach Resort?

Rate schedule runs Spring (May 1-June 6), Summer (June 6-Aug 15), and Fall (Aug 15-Oct 1), indicating the main swimming season is roughly Memorial Day through late summer, though the resort now also operates in winter for non-swimming stays.

What are the rules at Bonnie Beach Resort?

Day-use/beach visiting by non-guests requires prior approval from the resort and is limited to 10 a.m.-10 p.m., with a $20 per person per day charge; this is a privately operated resort, not a public park.

What water body is Bonnie Beach Resort on?

Bonnie Beach Resort is on Clitherall Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.