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W W FLOATS YOUR BOAT ater-ever ater-ever

Lake & river rentals and other water activities you can do this summer

BY DESIREE BAUER SUMMERSCAPE

Pack the towels, throw on a swimsuit and “For the most part, we are pretty much back grab some floaties, because virus or no virus, open, as close to normal as we can be,” King says. the Detroit Lakes area’s 400-plus beaches With the COVID-19 pandemic canceling a are open for the summer. lot of popular events, closing some businesses

The Detroit Lake City Beach opened in May, and limiting occupancy in local restaurants and according to Shawn King, the Detroit Lakes businesses, King says the beaches have been public works director, and the public restrooms, water fountains and other amenities are all open and being regularly cleaned. ▲ A pontoon trolls away from the beach on Detroit Lake. (Desiree Bauer / Summerscape) “a little busier” this summer.

Swimming, fishing, boating, all available on Detroit Lake

The mile-long, sandy City Beach is open to everyone, but dogs and alcohol are not allowed. The space is quick to fill with people, usually being the busiest during the hottest hours of the day.

If tanning or swimming isn’t quite what you’re looking for, boat rentals are available right on the City Beach at J&K Marina, or a few miles east at the Holiday Inn Marina.

At J&K, motorized boats such as pontoons, fishing boats and jet skis are available for a full day, multiday or weekly rental. Anything non-motorized, like a kayak or paddleboard, and hourly rentals are not available this summer due to COVID-19. The marina also offers off-lake rentals, so some

J&K Marina, on Detroit Lakes City Beach, is offering motorized boats for rent this summer.

(Desiree Bauer / Summerscape)

The Detroit Lakes City Beach can get busy on hot summer days. The city has put signs up this year, encouraging people to practice social distancing. If you want to avoid a crowd, go in the morning

or late evening. (Tribune File Photo)

boats can be brought to a location other than Detroit Lake.

At the Holiday Inn Marina, motorized and non-motorized boats are available. Justin Fischer, the marina controller there, says fishing poles, one fishing boat and multiple bikes are all rentable.

“We have five pontoons,” he says. “And then we have multiple kayaks and paddleboards and boats.”

The rentals are open for Holiday Tube down the Otter Tail River Charlie’s Tubing and K&K Tubing both offer rides down the Otter Tail River. They’re both located on Highway 34 in Detroit Lakes. Tubes — for riders, dogs and coolers — as well as parking and rides to the river entrance are provided by both businesses.

Rides down the river are about 2 hours long straight through, but along the way. Inn guests as well as the public, though hotel guests can use the nonmotorized marina items for free for two hours. Renters also get a map of the whole lake, which includes restaurants and attractions.

HOLIDAY INN MARINA

1155 Hwy. 10 E by the Holiday Inn, Detroit Lakes • 218-847-2121 goswctest.net/UserFiles/Holiday%20Inn%20Marina%20Rentals%20Flyer(1).pdf

J&K MARINA

121 W Lake Dr., Detroit Lakes • 218-847-7291 • www.jkmarine.com/rentals

Dive into the depths

Tri-State Diving of Detroit Lakes, owned by Gary Thompson, offers scuba diving equipment, dive trips, certification classes and more.

Thompson says the equipment is safe to rent, as he always thoroughly sanitizes everything.

Certification classes are two weeks long in the summer, plus exams. Dive trips are open to divers who

TRI-STATE DIVING

28300 Little Floyd Lake Road, Detroit Lakes 218-847-4868 tri-statediving.com or Facebook @Tri-State-Diving

many tubers like to stop at the popular sandbar are already certified.

Water shoes are recommended for first-time tubers. You’ll also need to know how many drinks you have, and they need to be in aluminum cans. If you want to beat the crowds, go early or later in the afternoon, as prime time tends to be around 2 p.m.

CHARLIE’S TUBING

33503 State Hwy. 34 (pink building), Detroit Lakes 218-847-3258 • Facebook @CharliesTubing

K&K TUBING

33551 State Hwy 34 (yellow building), Detroit Lakes 218-847-5734 • Facebook @K-K-Tubing-Inc