I just wanted to give the community of Menahga some much-deserved recognition for what they have going on there. My first experience with the area was in 1986 as a six-year-old when I canoed down the Crow Wing River. Seeing the giant red and white pines everywhere, I was googly eyed the entire trip.

After a couple of long canoe trips as a youth, I hadn’t really been back until 2010 when I discovered the Menahga Memorial Campground while scouring the internet looking for places to camp. My wife and I had one son at the time, and we wanted to christen our new popup camper somewhere. We chose Menahga, a trip we enjoyed immensely. Every year since then, I’ve gladly made the one hour trip from Hawley where I live and returned either with my entire family or just myself and one of my three boys. Your campground there is simple, scenic and accessible. The beach and lake you have right in town is super family-friendly. We’ve made several trips up over the years just to swim there. The museum in town is a hidden treasure chock full of history, relics and a passionate sense of yesterday.

Last month, my family group of 10 camped in town and attended various events for Menahga’s annual Midsummer Days celebration. We loved every minute of it. The parade held Saturday evening was the best parade I’ve ever attended, and the fireworks show later that night was first-rate! We swam, played games, ate our hearts out, and went road tripping to visit many of the various campsites along the Crow Wing River.

We returned in August as I took my oldest two boys on their first-ever canoe trip down the Crow Wing. We stayed at nearby Huntersville State Forest Campground and savored every minute of our adventure! We also decided we’ll be returning next summer for Menahga’s Midsummer Days as well. Each time I return to this area, it’s like I’m experiencing it for the first time again — nothing beats that feeling! Keep it up, Menahga! Thanks for being a great small town in Minnesota! We value our time and what they have there -— I hope those that live there do, too!

Sincerely,
Beau Lofgren