Mille Lacs Lake Access

This massive 132,000-acre lake serves as a natural landmark and water source for overlanders running the central Minnesota trail networks. Multiple public access points ring the lake, with the best for larger rigs at Garrison and Onamia. The water stays clean year-round, though ice fishing crowds pack the access points from December through February.

Particularly useful for overlanders hitting the George Washington State Forest trails or the Mille Lacs area technical loops. The lake creates its own weather system, so expect sudden wind shifts and temperature drops. Several access points have fish cleaning stations with running water if you need to wash gear.

Minnesota's second-largest lake water access