We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The Tripadvisor website may not display properly.We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.

Elbow Lake Lodge

avatar-imageavatar-image
Traveller (21)
Room & Suite (1)
View from Room (1)

View prices for your travel dates

Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect average nightly room rates, including taxes and fees that are fixed, known to our partners, and due at time of booking. Other miscellaneous taxes and hotel fees which are not fixed or due at time of booking may be payable at the property at time of stay. Please see our partners for more details.

About

#4 of 7 campsites in Cook
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
Located in beautiful northern Minnesota Elbow Lake Lodge is the ONLY resort on the lake. We are just the place for you!
Read more
Suggest edits to improve what we show.Improve this listing
Property amenities
Free parking
Wifi
Bar / lounge
Beach
Canoeing
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Kids' outdoor play equipment
Pets Allowed ( Dog / Pet Friendly )
Mini golf
Darts
Fishing
Non-smoking hotel
Shared lounge / TV area
Show more
Room features
Dining area
Fireplace
Separate living room
Private bathrooms
Coffee / tea maker
Kitchenette
Dishwasher
Microwave
Oven
Refrigerator
Stovetop
Kitchenware
Show more
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
2.0 of 5 stars
HOTEL STYLE
Charming

Location

3975 Kennedy Road, Cook, MN 55723
Elbow Lake Lodge
15Reviews0Q+A2Room tips
Traveller rating
  • 12
  • 2
  • 0
  • 0
  • 1
Time of year
Traveller type
Language
Selected filters
  • Filter
  • English
Sort by:
Most Recent
avatar-image
Jimmy N wrote a review Sept 2020
3 contributions6 helpful votes
I was supposed to have a wedding here. Lee and his staff did an amazing job putting together every detail for the perfect wedding. The glowing reviews for Lee and his team are true, they are the heart and backbone of the lodge. Unfortunately, that entire staff departed and the ridiculously clueless owner came into the picture. The owners, knowing they had no idea how to do a single thing with the resort they own, decided to ask Lee and company to come back as outside help because they were the only ones that cared to put together the event and listen to our wishes. The owners could not even bother to contact their former staff or even their customers who were paying them to have a wedding. I had to drive to the lodge myself to get a phone number for the owner, all the while realizing that the lodge wasn’t returning my calls because the interim staff is just sitting in the office ignoring the phone ringing. While I spoke with the owners significant other, I learned they have no clue what they’re doing, they only knew by word of mouth we were going to have a wedding, they couldn’t find our contract and assured me that the problem they are facing was with the same dream team everyone leaves glowing reviews for that I had the pleasure of working and planning every detail with face to face at the resort. And now, 12 days before my wedding, after having the entire event planned and in motion, with state covid guidelines all planned for as well, the owners decide to send me a text message with heavy modifications to our agreement, telling me to cut my guest list in HALF, and asking why I’m not paying them more than the contract was adjusted for due to covid restrictions. They put me in a bind and forced me to cancel the event because they can’t even figure out their own occupancy levels. The true owner was in the background and didn’t say a word to me on the phone when I talked to his significant other about this blatant attack on our event. She was incredibly rude herself, and they don’t want to refund my deposit because they don’t even know what they paid for themself and want ME, the customer, to procure THEIR receipts to get the money back that THEY spent. The owner is a ridiculous sham and is going to be known for running the trash resort of the area with his dream team, the true backbone and gem of the lodge, being gone. It’s no wonder they all left such a toxic owner.
Read more
Date of stay: September 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
6 Helpful votes
Helpful
Share
avatar-image
Frances S wrote a review Jul 2020
23 contributions2 helpful votes
+1
Nice north woods resort. Simple. No fancy stuff. Lake is very quiet which is great! Kayaking and paddle boards were available for use. Shallow water for quite a ways out. Great floating trampoline. We had a lovely view from the beach view suite. Lots of windows. It’s a long way to town so bring everything you need.
Read more
Date of stay: July 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Share
avatar-image
starsandcampfires wrote a review Feb 2016
Minnesota1 contribution5 helpful votes
Our family has been going to Elbow Lake Lodge since 1966, formerly Kennedy's Rustic Resort. There is a tranquility to Elbow Lake that is hard to describe. Whenever we go there, it's truly like going to visit family - Lee, Dan, Mackie go out of their way to ensure that you feel welcome, and have the most relaxing time while away from home. The cabins are clean, cozy and private and have everything you need Terrific lodge suites are great in summer and winter. Four generations of our family have enjoyed this beautiful Northern Minnesota paradise for 50 years. The staff makes this resort the special place that it is.
Read more
Date of stay: July 2015
Rooms
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip: White Birch and Crestview fave cabins.White Pine, Lakeview, Beachview are fave lodge suites.Those...
See more room tips
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Share
avatar-image
Holly J wrote a review Sept 2015
Eveleth, Minnesota1 contribution1 helpful vote
Loved the cabins, very clean, well furnished, and comfortable. The food and drinks were delicious! There's a lot to do on the lake, mini golf, campfires and enjoying nature. Staff will help with whatever you need. Definitely would like to go back!
Read more
Date of stay: September 2015
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Share
avatar-image
John S wrote a review Aug 2015
Bloomington, Minnesota15 contributions5 helpful votes
We enjoyed our week stay in a lodge suite. The staff was great (although we didn't ask for much) but the owners need to spend a few dollars to add a few more amenities (kleenex, better T.P., better room lighting - that kind of thing.)
Read more
Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: August 2015
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Share
avatar-image
Alisha K wrote a review Aug 2015
4 contributions2 helpful votes
We highly recommend Elbow Lake Lodge for many reasons: *When the tiny onsite store with minimal amenities was out of mayo, they had a worker who was coming in later that day bring some for us from town. *At the time of our stay, kayaks were included in the price of our suite rental. They kindly allowed the kids in other cabins to use them to their hearts’ content, despite their true two-hour limit. When there was fear we wouldn’t get to use the kayaks, they held the paddles for us when the kids came in from their next round out. *We expected generic food from their abbreviated menu posted at the small bar. However, we ordered onion rings and spinach artichoke dip and were pleasantly surprised when both were delicious. (We ordered a pizza to our room later on that night and that also was better than expected too.) *We sat on a couch just behind the bar stools to watch some of the Vikings game while we ate our apps. It ended up being a nice intimate atmosphere, where other guests gathered around the bar watching the game too. One of us remarked that it felt like we were watching the game at a friend’s house. There was a little toddler running around laughing, kids playing ping-pong at a table far behind us, and the staff bantering with the guests while they graciously tended to everyone’s needs. *We played the very unique and challenging 18-hole mini golf course and the maintenance guy joshed us as he skirted by in his golf course. *On top of all of this, they honored a Groupon price, upgraded our room on top of it and offered us a deal on a boat rental. The suite we stayed in, Woodside, was nice, but nothing over the top. It was comfortable and had everything we needed and nothing more or less. Don’t expect fancy rooms or linens. This is still a small northwoods resort. However, there’s plenty to do. With just three people taking care of 24 cabins, a lodge, and actually some of people’s personal cabins surrounding the lake, you can’t say they’re not hardworking. But on top of that work ethic is wonderful hospitality. We would definitely return.
Read more
Date of stay: August 2015
Rooms
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip: great hospitality, plenty to keep you busy, calm and peaceful
See more room tips
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Share
avatar-image
kspinky wrote a review Jul 2015
Minneapolis, Minnesota1 contribution3 helpful votes
We just enjoyed our 27th year at Elbow Lake Lodge...the best resort in Minnesota! Lee and staff are absolutely the hardest working people we know - and who make every effort to ensure that our stays are always the best they can be. Period! We love the wilderness feel of Elbow Lake Lodge, the hospitality, tranquility, wildlife, fishing, our yearly cabin, and of course the fabulous beach. Thank you everyone, for another wonderful summer vacay!
Read more
Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: July 2015
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Share
avatar-image
SweetBirdieGirl wrote a review Jul 2015
Minneapolis, MN2 contributions2 helpful votes
We have been going to Elbow Lake Lodge since 1980 with our entire family. The cabins have everything you need except A/C which is not needed. The beach is great for kids, the restaurant has great food and the staff is the best you are ever going to find! The fishing is so great. Have a large family fish fry every year. You cannot go wrong spending a week at Elbow Lake Lodge! Everyone is so sad when we have to come back home!
Read more
Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: July 2015
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Share
avatar-image
HKowalski206 wrote a review Jul 2015
Charles City, Iowa1 contribution2 helpful votes
The only resort on the lake makes for a very peaceful and relaxing vacation. The staff are very friendly, helpful and make their guests top priority. The cabins are clean and comfortable. Beautiful lake!
Read more
Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: June 2015
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Share
avatar-image
Loonsong2 wrote a review Jul 2015
1 contribution1 helpful vote
My family has been coming to Elbow Lake for over 70 years. We have stayed at Elbow Lake Lodge (formerly Kennedy's Resort) as well as owning cabins on the lake. The current management of Lee, Mackie, and Dan are the best. They work hard for the resort guests and make sure the lake owners are taken care of too. The are kind and honest people who make sure that everyone has a great time at the lake. Lee and crew are considered family for many guests who come back for their Northwoods experience year after year. If you want a "get away from the hustle" break, Elbow Lake Lodge is the place and Lee, Mackie, and Dan are the folks that will make your stay the best.
Read more
Date of stay: July 2015Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Share
Previous
12
Not the right property for you?
There are more places to choose from in the Cook area.
LOCATION
United StatesMinnesotaCook
NUMBER OF ROOMS
13
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect average nightly room rates, including taxes and fees that are fixed, known to our partners, and due at time of booking. Other miscellaneous taxes and hotel fees which are not fixed or due at time of booking may be payable at the property at time of stay. Please see our partners for more details.
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?

Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.

Claim Your Listing

ELBOW LAKE LODGE (Cook) - Campground Reviews & Photos - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Elbow Lake Lodge
Which popular attractions are close to Elbow Lake Lodge?
Nearby attractions include The Landing On Lake Vermilion (7.3 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Elbow Lake Lodge?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include a lounge, free parking, and kids activities.
Which room amenities are available at Elbow Lake Lodge?
Top room amenities include a kitchenette, a refrigerator, and a dining area.
What food & drink options are available at Elbow Lake Lodge?
Guests can enjoy a lounge during their stay.
Is parking available at Elbow Lake Lodge?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
Are pets allowed at Elbow Lake Lodge?
Yes, pets are typically allowed, but it's always best to call ahead to confirm.