Northern Pine Lodge: A Piece of Minnesota Resort History Hits the Market

For more than a century, Northern Pine Lodge has been a staple of the Minnesota lake experience. Located in Park Rapids on the shores of Potato Lake, this resort first opened in 1914 and has welcomed generations of families looking for the perfect up-north getaway. Now, for the first time in nearly five decades, it’s up for sale.

A Rare Opportunity on Potato Lake

The lodge spans 22 acres and features an impressive 1,800 feet of lakeshore. With 20 cabins—including two large log lodges—the property offers a total of 50 bedrooms and 32 bathrooms. It’s being marketed by Lakes Sotheby’s International Realty for $4.9 million. Buyers have the option to continue operating it as a resort or transform it into a multigenerational family compound.

The Last Resort Standing

Owner John Schupp has been at the helm for 46 years. When he first started, Potato Lake was surrounded by 10 resorts. Today, Northern Pine Lodge is the only one left. Rising lakeshore values have pushed many resorts to sell off land for private homes, leaving Schupp’s property as the final reminder of a once-booming tradition.

“It seems like Minnesota resorts are on the endangered species list,” Schupp says. That rarity makes Northern Pine Lodge especially valuable—not just as real estate, but as part of Minnesota’s cultural and recreational history.

A Legacy of Family Fun

Originally catering to retirees and couples, the resort eventually became a family-focused destination, attracting vacationers from across Minnesota and beyond. Guests came for swimming, boating, and fishing on Potato Lake, as well as the lodge’s reputation for peace, privacy, and natural beauty.

Looking Ahead

Schupp is now retired, and Northern Pine Lodge has closed for the season. For the right buyer, the future could hold endless possibilities: continuing the legacy as a family resort, transforming it into a luxury rental compound, or preserving it as a private retreat.

As Minnesota continues to change, properties like Northern Pine Lodge remind us of the importance of preserving what makes our state special—our lakes, our cabins, and our traditions.

If you’ve ever dreamed of owning a resort or a private slice of lakefront paradise, this could be your chance.