Hill Lake - Hill Lake Twp

Aitkin County, Minnesota

Hill Lake is in Hill City, Minnesota, under 20 miles from Grand Rapids. For other big-city destinations, Brainerd is under 80 miles away and Duluth is under 110 miles away.

The Range Regional Airport is under 60 miles away, and the Duluth International Airport is under 80 miles away. For medical care, the Grand Itasca Hospital is under 20 miles away.

Amenities Nearby

When living on Hill Lake, Ruthie’s Restaurant is a must! Earning a 4.5-star rating, the restaurant is sure to make you feel right at home with their home-cooked meals and welcoming atmosphere.

When shopping is needed, make it a day trip! The Central Square Mall is a 16.4-mile drive from the area. For groceries and essentials, visit the nearby Super One Foods, Aldi, or Walmart.

On and Around the Water

Hill Lake spans 907 acres with a max depth of 48 feet. The lake offers a private atmosphere while providing a charming country feel.

Popular activities include boating, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, fishing, and taking in the beautiful sights.

Anglers can find black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, brook trout, brown bullhead, burbot, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, sunfish, walleye, yellow bullhead, yellow perch, bigmouth buffalo, bowfin, shorthead redhorse, white sucker, banded killifish, blackchin shiner, blacknose shiner, bluntnose minnow, central mudminnow, common shiner, creek chub, fathead minnow, golden shiner, Iowa darter, Johnny darter, least darter, minnows, slender madtom, spottail shiner, and tadpole madtom.

While out on the boat, be sure to take a trip to Nesbitt Island! The island is 20 acres of mature sugar maples, basswoods, and an extensive ground cover of poison ivy, a token of its human history. Many bald eagles can be spotted through the scattered nesting white pines. The island is protected from development and remains a beautiful world of nature and tranquility.

The Hill Lake area also offers boat ramps, beach areas, 4.7 miles of paved walking and biking trails, a golf course, picnic areas, and a playground for the kids.

Visit Grand Rapids

If you’re interested in learning the history of logging in this part of the state, head down to the Forest History Center. You can see a recreation of a white pine logging camp from 1900, listen to stories from loggers and forest service patrolmen from different eras, or get a bird’s eye view from a 100-foot fire tower.

Follow the yellow brick road to the Judy Garland Museum, where you can get a glimpse at the world’s largest Judy Garland and Wizard of Oz collection, including the world-famous ruby-red slippers from the movie.

If you’re getting hungry, you can check out the great restaurants that Grand Rapids has to offer, like Mitu Srilankan and Indian Cuisine, Donkey Taqueria, and Heritage Restaurant.

Why Hill Lake?

Hill Lake offers a tucked-away community with its charms and quirks. If you want that small-town feel and value your privacy, Hill Lake could be right for you!