Ruttger's Birchmont Lodge

Welcome to a New, Old-Fashioned Family Getaway.

Ruttger’s Birchmont Lodge is a completely different experience from the usual resort destination. Here, you and your family can experience a real, undiluted family vacation, far from the sprawling corporate developments that overtake many Minnesota lakeshores. Its natural sand beach and indoor pool building overlook its boathouse, marina and endless Lake Bemidji water recreation; a daily summer children’s program features treasure & scavenger hunts and much more. It’s the ideal host to the Bemidji area year-round, with golf, tennis, snowmobiling, ice fishing and hunting. You’ll find seasonal fine dining at one of Ruttger’s two lodge buildings, along with a variety of villas, cottages & lodge rooms - all courtesy of a fourth generation of Minnesota's oldest resort family.

Beach

The 1700 feet of natural sand beach on Lake Bemidji is a highlight at Ruttger’s Birchmont Lodge, and a permanent fixture for anyone who has ever been here in the summer. It stretches directly in front of the main resort building, terrific for strolling, sunning or taking out a complimentary canoe or kayak.

Family

More than anything else, Ruttger’s Birchmont Lodge is a place for family traditions. Owned by the Ruttger’s family - part of the oldest resort family in Minnesota - the resort features fine dining, ½ mile of beach, an indoor pool complex and a laid-back, non-corporate atmosphere that creates pure, old-fashioned family fun.

Fishing

Right from the dock at Ruttger’s Birchmont Lodge you can catch some amazing fish - Lake Bemidji is known for its quality-sized northern pike, but it’s also highly rated by the Minnesota DNR for its walleye population. Or, let Ruttger’s set you up with a boat and motor right from its onsite boathouse and marina!

Golf

In the 1920s, oil millionaires would flock here from the South for the cool summers - and to try the new game of golf. So it’s no surprise that the 18-hole course at the Bemidji Town & Country Club is just a mile away, and the annual Birchmont International Golf Tournament - as it was back then - is still going strong.

Historical

Ruttger’s Birchmont Lodge has been owned by the Ruttger’s family since 1937. And its history extends back to 1913, when it was simply a beach and Minnesota Northwoods. Originally built by lumberjacks as the Birchmont Beach Hotel, the lodge of today still bears strong witness to these priceless times and traditions.

Lake

Resting on 6420-acre Lake Bemidji, Ruttger’s Birchmont Lodge maintains its own boathouse and marina with the area’s largest fleet of rental watercraft. Take your pick among the resort's fishing boats, pontoons, family inboards and Sunfish sailboats. Whatever your pursuit, Ruttger’s provides a classic family lake vacation!

Nature

Ruttger’s Birchmont Lodge overlooks beautiful Lake Bemidji and is completely surrounded by Minnesota’s renowned lake & forest region. It’s very close to the start of the Mississippi River, in the fabled land of Paul Bunyan and Babe, his blue ox. Legend has it that many of these area lakes were made from Babe's footprints!

Vacation Rental

The variety of lodging at Ruttger’s Birchmont Lodge will astound you, not least the economy to four-bedroom villas. Open year round, these cottage-style accommodations are rented on a “housekeeping plan” with daily rates available in some periods. They’re ideal for larger families or groups!

Cabins And Cottages

Twenty-two one-room to three-bedroom lakeview cottages at Ruttger’s Birchmont Lodge embody the resort’s personality: ideal for families, updated with modern amenities, yet still beaming with history from when they were built in the early 1900s. These are some of the oldest Minnesota resort cottages still in service.

Lodges

Choose from two lodge buildings, each with its own flair: at the historic Main Lodge, moose and muskie are standard décor, with 31 rooms and suites and a seasonal dining room at the Garden Court Grill Restaurant and Pirate's Cove Lounge; the modern, year-round Cedar Lodge has kitchenettes with private decks and balconies.

Motels

Even if it’s just the two of you - or just you on a private getaway - Ruttger’s Birchmont Lodge is for you, with comfortable motel-style rooms in either lodge. Choose from four modern, waterfront rooms in the Cedar Lodge, or the cozy and historic Lakefront or Parkside rooms on the upper floors of the seasonal Main Lodge.

Villas And Condos

Seven modern, year-round cottage-style villas are perfect for families, extended families or larger groups. Spread across the serene wooded grounds, these two- to four-bedroom villas provide space, privacy & all the services of the resort including a seasonal self-serve complimentary continental breakfast at the Main Lodge.

Activities

Amenities

Conferences

Its two large, flexible event rooms and three smaller boardrooms make Ruttger’s Birchmont Lodge perfect for small to mid-sized corporate meetings. Inquire now!

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Reunions

With seven villas ideal for families and groups, flexible banquet facilities for up to 200 and a world of activities, Ruttger’s Birchmont Lodge is ideal for your reunion!

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Weddings

Specializing in wedding ceremonies for 50 to 220 guests, Ruttger’s Birchmont Lodge offers stunning lakefront locales, gorgeous gardens and grand history for your big day!

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