Deer River, Minnesota is a small town of less than 1,000 people, but it has a big atmosphere. Among the treats awaiting visitors are several casinos, the 1.6-million-acre Chippewa National Forest, Minnesota's fourth largest lake and, in the summer, the world's largest wild rice festival. Although, the town only has a few motels near the downtown, plenty of other options are a short drive away.
Bahr's Motel offers year-round accommodations with on-site access to the state snowmobile trail. The motel has 22 rooms. Some include a kitchen or kitchenette, and the motel allows pets in the rooms. As of 2011, room rates range from $33 to $89 per night. The motel is within walking distance of the Sportsman Cafe, which serves Midwestern fare such as burgers and fries.
The Gosh Dam Place has a 10-unit motel with comfortable accommodations. It is only a quarter mile away from the Lake Winnibigoshish dam, which offers access to fishing on Minnesota's fourth largest lake. To accommodate anglers, the Gosh Dam Place's parking lot is big enough for boat trailers. In winter, get out of the cold while cleaning fish in the heated indoor fish cleaning room. On cold nights, plug in your car using the outdoor electrical sockets. The Gosh Dam Place accepts pets for a fee. The owners run a restaurant on site. It's known for daily homemade soups, chicken wild rice soup, the Big Winnie Burger, Randy's BBQ Ribs and homemade pizza.
The White Oak Inn and Suites offers guests 49 rooms with a smoking or nonsmoking option. Some king-sized units and the suites have Jacuzzis. Among the amenities are a heated swimming pool, a whirlpool and an exercise and tanning room. Kids will enjoy the a kids-only pool with 5-foot water slide and the video game room. The inn provides a free continental breakfast. A 12-kilometer intermediate-to-expert-level cross-country ski trail, groomed for skate and classic, is less than six miles away. The Outpost Bar and Grill is next to the hotel. It offers casual dinning.
The Bowen Lodge offers guests a bit of everything. Although it doesn't have a motel, it does have several cabins starting at $185 per night, as of 2011. The lodge also offers camping. All the cabins have a view of Lake Winnibigoshish, Minnesota's fourth largest lake. The lodge also provides direct access within walking distance to Cutfoot Sioux Lake and Minnow Lake. The resort has two beaches, a playground, a designated fish cleaning hut and a Northwoods-style lodge. For those cold and rainy days, snuggle up next to the stone fireplace with a book from the lodge's library and enjoy watching the storm through the plate-glass windows.
