Just east of Clay County on U.S. Highway 10 is Becker County (pop. 32,504), a popular area for summer visitors because of its many lakes.
Detroit Lakes (pop. 8,569), the county seat, has 400 lakes within a 25-mile radius, plus 14 golf courses in the area. Lake Detroit is on the south side of town.
Amtrak’s Empire Builder train stops in Detroit Lakes in the middle of the night, going east to Chicago and west to Seattle and Portland.
The Carnegie Library in Detroit Lakes was constructed in the Prairie School style.
The Go-Putt-N-Bump Amusement Park, just south of Detroit Lakes, has go karts, miniature golf, and bumper boats.
The Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge, northeast of Detroit Lakes, was established in 1938 as a breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife.
The town of Frazee (pop. 1,350), southeast of Detroit Lakes, has a giant fiberglass turkey called Big Tom, celebrating the local poultry industry.
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Lakes for everyone!
Winona LaDuke (born 1959) (Anishinaabe) is an activist, environmentalist, economist, and writer. In 1996 and 2000, she ran for vice president as the nominee of the United States Green Party, on a ticket headed by Ralph Nader. She lives on the White Earth reservation in Becker County.