FAQs

Amenities and Conveniences

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Do you allow pets?

Pets shall be allowed on the property but must be controlled by a leash. Pets must be cleaned up after always.

Pets are not to be tied up outdoors and left alone at the site.

Pets brought to the campsite must be non-aggressive toward humans and other pets.

Pets are not allowed in the cabins or on the beach.
Vaccination records must be available. 

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Do you have laundry facilities available?

Yes, we offer coin-operated laundry facilities. For your convenience, laundry soap is also available for sale in the Lodge.

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Do you have wireless internet access?

Yes, we have fiber optic installed and are now one of the few family resorts in Minnesota to offer complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi throughout the resort and guest accommodations.

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What amenities are provided in your cabins?

All eleven of our cabins are furnished with most everything you need!  Our kitchens include a stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave, dishes, glassware, pots and pans, silverware, utensils, toaster, coffee maker, and blender.  You will find televisions with DirecTV, air conditioning, charcoal grill, and soft water within each unit.  All cabins are provided with bedding, kitchen and bath towels.

All of our spacious cabins were also designed for the enjoyment for all four seasons of family fun and include a fireplace and in-floor heat!  Our Wren’s Den and Finch House also have a washer and dryer for your convenience.

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What do we need to remember to bring?

Please bring hand soaps for the bathrooms, your own personal toiletries, any paper products (towels/plates/napkins), and any tinfoil or plastic baggies.  You will not want to forget your charcoal for grilling or a beach towel to enjoy our 1,000 ft of natural sand beach!

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Where is the nearest grocery store?

We offer limited groceries, ice, bait, snacks, ice cream, clothing, and souvenirs in the Lodge. For a greater selection, it’s a quick and easy drive to Tom’s Market in Glenwood (9 miles) or in Alexandria there is a Super Walmart, Eldens Fresh Foods or Cub Foods (15 miles).

Reservations

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What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept Cash, Check, Debit Card, VISA, Mastercard, American Express and Discover.

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What is your cancellation policy?

  • Reservations cancelled 90 days or greater from the arrival date will incur a $50 fee
  • Reservations cancelled less than 30 days of arrival will result in the forfeiture of the deposit.  
  • Reservations that are modified to a future date will not be subject any penalty
  • During peak periods additional restrictions may be imposed by the property or revenue management


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What is your deposit policy?

Reservations by phone will be held for five days or can be secured by credit card. Cabin rentals require a 50% deposit. The balance is due at check in.

Campsites rentals require payment in full upon booking.

Event Center

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Can you tell me more about the amenities of your Event Center?

Our Event Center is available for rent during our off season in 4-hour increments.  This one level area with a cozy fireplace is perfect for hosting your gatherings of any kind!

Activities

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Do you have planned activities?

When you’re a guest at Canary Beach Resort, you will find many activities to keep you as busy as you want to be. There is something fun for everyone, especially barrel train and hayrides throughout the summer!  Spontaneous movie nights tend to “pop up” when the weather interferes with our outdoor fun.  

*To find out more about what we have planned throughout the year and what special activities will be happening around the local area, be sure to check our Activities Calendar.

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How far is Canary Beach Resort from the town of Alexandria?

Alexandria is a short 15 mile drive through the scenic countryside.

Camping

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Can we bring our own firewood?

Dry firewood is available for purchase in the Lodge. In order to help prevent invasive species in our area, the DNR has asked us to not allow wood to be brought in.

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Do you have a storm shelter?

Yes – the Lodge has a county-approved storm shelter.

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Do you have overnight campsites?

We have four overnight sites available with a 3 night minimum on the weekends.

Fishing and Boating

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Can we bring boats or jet skis?

Yes, you are welcome to bring your own boat, pontoon or jet ski. We have a boat landing on site for easy access to the lake. There is also a public landing available 1/2 of a mile east of our resort.

There is plenty of trailer parking in our overflow lot on the west side of the resort. While in Lake Villard, boats can be pulled up onto our level, sandy shoreline or there are docks available on a first come, first serve basis.

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Do you rent the paddleboat, paddleboards, kayaks, canoe and life jackets?

These water amenities are free for the enjoyment of our resort guests!

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Do you sell fishing bait in the Lodge? If not, where can guests buy some?

During the summer, we typically offer night crawlers and leeches for sale in the Lodge.

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Do you sell fishing licenses at your lodge?

Fishing licenses are available through the DNR website at www.dnr.state.mn.us

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How is the fishing in Lake Villard?

There is great fishing in Lake Villard, where you can catch bass, crappies, northerns, sunfish, perch and walleyes.

Usually walk-on ice fishing begins around December 15th to Christmas time. The ice is typically thick enough to drive onto by January and ends around March 1st, with walk-on ending a few weeks later.

For more details, visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website:

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=61006700


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What sort of fish cleaning facilities do you offer?

Our Fish Cleaning House has two cleaning bays with sprayers. We keep it very clean and ensure the fish waste is composted.

In the winter, we relocate our Fish Cleaning House to the Lodge so that our guests have a warm, properly-lit, and well-sanitized facility to take care of their winter cleaning.

General Questions

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How long does it take to get to Canary Beach Resort from Minneapolis?

It will normally take you about 2 hours from the center of the Twin Cities. If you are travelling on a Friday, it might take you a bit longer due to traffic — Minnesotans love to go “up to the lake” on weekends.

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What temperatures should I expect?

Canary Beach Resort is open all year long, so conditions vary dramatically by season. Summer highs are in the low nineties and winter lows can reach 30 below. Lake Villard typically freezes over in early December and the average ice-out is mid April. Lake temperatures are perfect for swimming from mid-May through late August.