Ottertail MN Lake Properties

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Ottertail, Minnesota - Lake Homes, Cabins & Lake Lots

Looking for a great place to live in the Midwest? Ottertail, Minnesota is an incredible location for a cabin or lake home, a family relocation or a long-awaited and much-deserved retirement. Peaceful, quiet, and secluded; Ottertail, Minnesota is a beautiful community surrounded by thousands of acres of pristine lakes and the majestic forest that is commonly referred to as the "Northwoods."

While Ottertail is accessible from several major metropolitan locations, the city itself has, against the odds, managed to maintain its secluded, peaceful charm even with the over-commercialization that is all too common in most of our world. As of the last census, Ottertail boasted 572 year-round, permanent residents. While the population of Ottertail swells to well over one thousand in the hot months of summer, the city and its surrounding region manage to retain their ambiance of peaceful seclusion even in the height of the tourist season. Ottertail is located in Otter Tail County, Minnesota; a region well known for its popular outdoor activities including boating, fishing, swimming, hunting, hiking, snow-mobiling, cross country skiing, biking and so much more. Looking for a family vacation full of outstanding outdoor recreation? Check out all Ottertail, Minnesota has to offer.

The history of Ottertail is a fascinating one. The first European explorers to reach this region were only able to reach the area via rivers, lakes and streams. Leaf Lake Chain, an extensive chain of lakes draining south to the Gulf of Mexico, was one waterway that was essential in reaching the Ottertail region. The other was Otter Tail Lake itself, which flows into the Red River of the North, ultimately draining into Hudson Bay. Between these two bodies of water lies a long sandbar called "La Queue de Loutre" or "Lac de la Queue de la Outer," which loosely translates to 'Lake of the Otter's Tail'. The sandbar was so named due to its uncanny resemblance to an otter's tail. It was here, on the sandbar, that Native Americans and early explorers arranged meetings due to its accessibility from both water highways leading into what is now the Ottertail region. Someplace around 1849, a fur trader by the name of Donald McDonald established a trading post on the eastern edge of Lake Ottertail. He named his new trading Post 'Ottertail City,' in honor of the sandbar. Donald McDonald was married to a Native American woman and it has been reported that he continued to trade with the Native Americans and European settlers here in Ottertail well into the 1880's. In the late 1800's, Ottertail became a boom town when it was reported that the Northern Pacific Railroad was going to establish a line through the town. These plans never came to fruition and the once booming population decreased. The Saint Paul House Hotel, now used as a private residence, remains as a monument to this era.

Today, Ottertail and the surrounding region are supported primarily by tourism and agriculture. Visitors flock to the Ottertail area to experience some of the world's finest lake front living. This extraordinarily beautiful landscape is dotted with lake properties. From rustic, historical cabins to lavish lakefront estates to undeveloped lake lots, there is truly the perfect lake home to suit the needs of any individual or family here in Ottertail. There are even campgrounds and resorts that are occasionally available for sale for those looking for commercial investment opportunities. In fact, there are fifteen lakes within a five mile radius of Ottertail, offering ample choices to those looking to invest in the perfect vacation property here in the Northwoods. Within Ottertail's city limits, there are five lakes: Ottertail Lake, Donalds Lake, Long Lake, Portage Lake and Buchanan Lake. If you are interested in purchasing or renting a vacation property in the Ottertail region, don't delay. Properties are in high demand in this region, especially in the warmer summer months. Having an agent to assist you in your property search, such as one of the professionals at LakePlace.com can be invaluable to your real estate search in and around Ottertail, Minnesota.

Located just off of Minnesota highways 78 and 108, Ottertail is easily accessible from a variety of Midwestern metropolitan regions. Fargo, North Dakota is a mere hour and a half from Ottertail; Minneapolis/St. Paul is only two and a half hours from the region. The community features a variety of parks, an excellent school system and welcoming, small town charm of the "Ottertailians," as the locals like to call themselves. Come and experience all that Ottertail has to offer; area resorts such as Elm Haven Resort and the Hidden Haven Resort feature excellent accommodations to those looking to have a short visit to check out all that Ottertail has to offer. Once you visit, chances are you will find yourself looking for your very own vacation property in the Ottertail region!