The Best Summer Month for a MN Vacation
Summer in Minnesota. Those beautiful three months — June, July, and August — that have thousands coming back from southern states to live, and thousands more from all over to vacation. Our pristine lakes, clean air, and long days evoke strong desires to just spend as much time as possible on the water. If you aren’t fortunate enough to live on a lake, you may wonder when is the best time to schedule a vacation to one.
What Summer Month is the Best for a Lake Vacation?
We as resort owners get asked this question in various forms often. Most people already have an answer in their heads based on past experience, opinions of others, general impressions, their schedule, and the weather. So, the best summer month for a MN vacation is not going to be the same for everyone. We want to help you know when is the best time for you to stay at the lake in Minnesota based on what we’ve observed over 22 plus years of resort ownership. Let’s discuss the pros and cons of each summer month based on time, money, weather, and people.
Fishing is fantastic in June
June: Summer Vacation Kick-Off Month
Fishing opener, which is also Mother’s Day weekend, to mid-June, is when summer begins for us at Campfire Bay Resort. Fisherman eager to catch walleye, couples getting married on the beach lawn, and crafting groups are just some of the guests we see in May. Then young families, retired couples, and folks from states where schools get out by Memorial Day stay with us early June.
Best Bang for Your Buck
Our rates are based on supply and demand. Since not as many people tend to vacation in May and early June, the rates are much lower then late June to mid-August. If you judge solely on finances, then the best summer month for a MN vacation is early June.
Less Than Perfect Timing
Another major consideration for any vacation is timing. For families with kids in schools where summer vacation starts early to mid June, obviously it doesn’t work to have a week long vacation on the lake before then. Nor does it work if you can’t get a full week off from work. However, a long weekend at the lake cabin is a fantastic way to start off the summer. June can still be the best summer month for a MN vacation even if the timing isn’t ideal!
Great Weather Month
Everyone wants the weather to be perfect on vacation. Minnesota still seems to have the reputation that the weather and the water are cold here in June. However, as mentioned earlier, that hasn’t been the case for over 2 decades. June has wonderful weather most of the time and it rarely gets too hot. Due to milder temperatures, early June has better fishing, as well. If you don’t like hot weather, and want better odds at catching fish, then June is the best summer month for a MN vacation for you!
Reunion Month
The last point in favor of June as a great time for a lake vacay is the people. There are less of them. Because there are typically less people, early June is a great time to have a large reunion at a resort! There are also typically more people not dependent on school schedules, thus lowering the number of people in a certain age bracket that some find a little too energetic and loud 😂. So if you like more peace and quiet and less people, then June is the best summer month for a MN vacation.
Family time on the lake is great for mental health
July: The Iconic Summer Month
From the last half of June to the first half of August we are bursting at the seams at Campfire Bay Resort, as are other Minnesota lake resorts. If we could have an unlimited number of cabins (and staff!) that magically appear just for these weeks, but then disappear afterwards, that’d be perfect. The demand is high and the supply is obviously limited to our 19 cabins. This high demand shows most people think July is the best summer month for a MN vacation.
Best Month for Sports Schedules
One of the main reasons many families want to vacation at the lake in July is due to sports. School and club sports schedules tend to extend well into June and beyond and then start up again early to mid-August, making family vacation scheduling difficult. It’s been our experience, however, that kids would much rather hang out at the lake with family and resort friends than get another practice or game under their belt.
While many coaches will threaten students that they will lose their place on the team or whatever if they miss a practice or a game or two, mental health is important. Time with family in nature, unplugged from the world, is wonderful therapy for mental health issues and should not be overlooked. If that isn’t a concern, and sports are important to your family, then July is the best summer month for a MN vacation with game and practice schedules.
Hottest Month
July is typically the hottest month in Minnesota with temperatures sometimes hitting the mid to upper 90s. Rarely does a heat wave like that last longer than a couple of days, thankfully. Most of the time the temperatures are in the 80s. If you love the heat, then July is the best summer month for a MN vacation!
Month Most in Demand=Most Money
Mid-June to mid-August is what we resorts call “high season” and is the most expensive time to vacation. This is due to simple economics of supply and demand. In an effort to fill early June and late August, prices are much lower at those times. If cost is a factor, then July is not the best summer month for a MN vacation.
More People Energy
Because so many people choose July for a Minnesota lake resort vacation, there are a lot of people on the lake, at the beach, at area attractions, and at our organized activities. If you get jazzed from other people and the energy of a crowd, then July is the best summer month for a MN vacation. If you prefer less people, then you can still find a spot at our resort, or even on the lake, where there aren’t other people in July, but it is trickier. Early June or late July are better times to come if you want more solitude.
Just like August is a beautiful end to summer, so is a lovely night to a long day
August: Summer’s Beautiful End
All good things must come to an end, and sadly, summer is no exception. It always feels like it goes too fast. Since Minnesota weather is best May to October, we Minnesotans get a little depressed as Labor Day approaches since we know our good weather window is closing fast. For those who love a last hurrah, August is the best summer month for a MN vacation.
Hot Days, Cool Nights
August days are still as hot as July, at least until about mid-month. Then temperatures are more like June as they drop to the eighties. The nights start to cool down around the middle of the month and it isn’t uncommon to need a sweatshirt outside after dark. The lake water stays warm all August, though. At our resort, we often see kids swimming until dusk while the adults are in hoodies by the bonfire! Folks who prefer this type of weather conditions think August is the best summer month for a MN vacation.
Back to School Conflicts
For many, school starts before Labor Day. Or, if classes don’t start, at least the extra-curriculars do. August for these people is not the best summer month for a MN vacation. Young families, couples, and friend groups who don’t have school conflicts, or parents who have no qualms about their kids missing a couple days of school, think that a lake vacation in August is a great way to end the summer.
Month for the More Mature?
Because there are less kids around, people who want more peace and quiet find August to be a great time for a lake cabin escape. August is the best summer month for a MN vacation for the more mature individual who craves tranquility, at least if you come the last part of the month.
More Affordable
August, at least the last part of it, is the best summer month for a MN vacation when it comes to the cost. Again, because of school and sports conflicts, many people vacation late June to mid August making early June and late August the most economical times to stay at the lake cabin.
And the Winner of the Best Lake Vacation Month Is…
As we said at the beginning, the best summer month for a MN vacation depends on your own needs and wants. However, in taking a closer look at each month through the lenses of time, money, people, and weather, did we help you know what is the best month for you and your family? We hope so, for whether it’s June, July, or August, the Minnesota lake resort experience is one of the best summer vacations your family will ever have!
