Family Camping Activities for All Ages: Games, Hiking, and Campfire Fun
Explore family camping activities that bring all ages together, from outdoor games and scenic hikes to memorable campfire fun that creates lasting memories.
š¤ Introduction / Overview: More Than Just a CampgroundāA Full-Service Marine and Lakeside Retreat
For Minnesota residents, especially those in the northwestern region, **Oak Cove Resort & Marine** on the shores of Maple Lake near Mentor, MN, is a well-known hub for waterside recreation and essential marine services. Since the Tyler Family acquired the property in 1986, it has grown beyond a simple campground to become a full-service destination dedicated to ensuring visitors have a "hassle-free" time on the water. Itās the kind of place where local families go time and again to rent equipment and enjoy the lake.
This location uniquely blends the relaxed atmosphere of a traditional Minnesota lakeside resort with the practical capabilities of a dedicated marine operation. Whether you're planning a week-long RV stay, needing fuel and bait for a day of fishing, or looking to rent a pontoon for a family outing, Oak Cove positions itself as the central resource for enjoying Maple Lake and the surrounding Polk County area. Their dual focusāproviding a place to stay while also offering all the equipment and supplies necessary for a successful lake tripāmakes it a truly convenient choice for Minnesota outdoors enthusiasts.
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š Location and Accessibility: Right on Maple Lake, Polk County
**Oak Cove Resort & Marine** is perfectly situated for easy access by local users, located directly on Maple Lake in Polk County, Minnesota. The official address is **15598 Oak Cove Resort Rd SE, Mentor, MN 56736, USA**.
The site's location near the small, friendly community of Mentor, MN, places it a reasonable driving distance from larger regional centers like Crookston and Grand Forks, ND, making it a viable and attractive weekend destination for many in Northwest Minnesota. Accessibility is a key feature; as the name implies, the resort is located on a cove, providing a somewhat protected and easily navigable area for marine activities.
Maple Lake itself is a popular body of water known for its fishing and recreational opportunities. For guests arriving with their own watercraft, the marine aspect of the resort simplifies the logistics of getting onto the water. The resortās proximity to local roads ensures that while visitors feel they are enjoying a classic, tranquil Minnesota getaway, they are never too far from necessary supplies or services. The clear, straightforward address makes navigation simple for those using GPS to find their perfect lakeside spot.
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š ļø Services Offered: Marine, Convenience, and Camping
As a full-service resort and marine center, Oak Cove offers an extensive list of services catering to both campers and day-use boaters on Maple Lake.
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⨠Features / Highlights: Hassle-Free Lake Life
Oak Cove Resort & Marineās key highlights center on its convenience and comprehensive support for a great time on Maple Lake, making it a valuable resource for local Minnesotans.
*A Note on Reputation:* While many customers report highly positive experiences with equipment rental and friendly owners, it is important for prospective users to note that one conflicting review mentions a dispute over alleged prop damage and an unprofessional interaction. As with any small business, visitors are advised to communicate clearly and inspect rental equipment before use. However, the majority of public feedback emphasizes excellent equipment and friendly service.
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š Contact Information
For reservations, current rental rates, or inquiries about availability of camping sites or supplies, you can contact Oak Cove Resort & Marine using the following information:
**Address:** 15598 Oak Cove Resort Rd SE, Mentor, MN 56736, USA
**Main Phone:** (218) 637-2124
**Mobile Phone:** +1 218-637-2124
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ā What is Worth Choosing: Convenience and Complete Marine Support
**Oak Cove Resort & Marine** is worth choosing for Minnesotans because it perfectly embodies the concept of a single, convenient hub for a lake vacation. It delivers on its goal to make your time on Maple Lake "hassle-free."
The key factor is the **complete integration of camping/resort amenities with full marine services.** Many lakeside spots offer one or the other, but Oak Cove provides the essential trifecta: a place to stay (campground/resort), the equipment to play (pontoon/boat rentals), and all the support necessary (fuel, bait, parts, and convenience store). This integration is particularly valuable for those who travel with RVs or trailers and rely on local marine expertise and easy access to high-quality rental equipment.
The frequent, positive mentions of "friendly and helpful" owners and the reliable nature of their rental equipment ("equipment has always worked perfectly") strongly suggest a well-run, customer-focused operation. For a local Minnesotan looking for a weekend escape or a seasonal spot where all their needsāfrom a cold drink and a bag of ice to an emergency boat propācan be met in one location right on the water, Oak Cove Resort & Marine on Maple Lake stands out as a smart, practical, and highly convenient choice. Itās where you go to spend less time worrying about logistics and more time enjoying the beautiful waters of Maple Lake.
Onsite services
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot
RV camping
Picnic tables
Public restroom
Restroom
Credit cards
Debit cards
Good for kids
On-site parking
Our Family rents pontoons from here all the time. Always a great experience and the owners are so friendly and helpful. The price is decent and the equipment has always worked perfectly. My Family and friends have a fun time so Iām happy. We have made reservations weeks in advance or the same day and they seemed to always have availability. If your looking for 1/2 day or all day. They have 2 options at descent prices.
Rented a pontoon, brought it back, owner said we had damaged the prop. His son said "no dad, it was already like that." Father says, "shut up!" I told him I would never pay for the prop and left there wondering who the hell would ever run a business like that.
They were unorganized. They sent multiple groups out before us even though we checked in before them. They had one boat left and the boat ended up not working. They gave attitude and were not at all symptomatic for the fact we had driven an hour and a half to get there. We also overheard the lady asking the mechanic if we did something to the boat (we hadn't even left the dockš). It would have been nice to at least get a genuine apology. We will never use them again
Showed up 20 minutes early for a 9am rental, was told that the rental did not start until 9am. The man took his time getting things going, did not even have the boat in the water until a few minutes after 9. Boat was not in great shape. Got back to return the boat and was told that we wrecked the prop even though we didnāt get close to shore all day. The woman insisted that there was no possibility that the boat would go out in that condition and charged us for it. The man came in shortly after and said that the prop was already like that when we took it out. Got money back for the prop with āwell I guess I owe youā. Overall pretty poor attitudes and the price of the rental definitely reflects the quality of the boats and service. Will definitely takes pictures before we rent from anywhere again.
I would like to rate based on an actual boating experience. However we called in advance to confirm that renting a pontoon from 4-7pm is available .We we're told it would be. So we made the trip. When we arrived we we're told it is not worth their time to have us on the water for 3 hours then asked us to leave. Great way to run a business