My husband and I played this course and loved it. We were paired with two locals who were wonderful to play with and knowledgeable about each hole. The course had received much rain over a week and we were on a car-path-only cart scenario which definitely slowed down our round times. The course was beautiful. As a golfer who tees off from the forward tees, it was quite a long course. With the extra water on the course and getting no roll, it was even longer. Despite the challenges, the holes were beautiful and fun to play. Every staff person we met made us feel welcome and were helpful as we were first time players. Carts had screens to indicate yardage. They also had messaging such that if you left a club on a hole, you could text a ranger and they would retrieve it for you. Really great experience. read more

The Wilderness At Fortune Bay - a stone with the name of the park - New American Near Me - Tower, Minnesota

See all

Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous. I do have one complaint though- the lady in the shop asked me what brand of clubs I want to rent and I selected from her options. Then she came out and said they didn't have what I wanted so I got whatever they had. And to top that off, she set me up with a left handed set and I didn't realize it until we were already out on the driving range. So of course I had to go all the way back. Waste of my warmup time. Otherwise- the course was well marked and well maintained and freakin fun!!! I was annoyed at the back 9 that some guy and his kids jumped in front of us while we were getting refreshments. However- I found out that they were in front of the group in front of us, and they let that group play through. The bar had a boozy iced coffee that we shared. It was good! The pro shop was keen to let us know that we could contact them at any time through the screen chat on our golf cart. Yeah, I tried that, and it didn't work. Stupid function. One of their bathrooms is more like septic? But that warned me in advance so I just waited til the end of the front 9 to use the one in the clubhouse. For whatever reason, the clubhouse was only serving food off the grill. The main restaurant was closed?!?! We were sad about that because my in laws were supposed to meet us after our round, for lunch there. So we called them and cancelled that plan. Other than a great day at golf, I will compliment them on a couple things- there is an attendant in the parking lot that brought a golf cart right to us, which was awesome. But we didn't need it. We didn't have our own clubs, we were renting. But still, that was very nice. Also, the shop was well stocked! I found two shirts that fit my husband and we bought both, along with a hat for him. He was so pleased. Usually the shirt sizes are way too big and loose on him. They had a fitting room there that he used and I brought him at least 10 shirts to try. The course was littered with deer and lovely flowers. It was so pretty. The carts have a nice gps function and on some holes, show you where carts ahead of you are, if there is a blind spot. The greens fees and cart fee and rentals are expensive. But it was definitely worth the experience. I just wished for better rentals, more time in the practice area and a fully functioning restaurant. But we may be back next year. read more

See all

Did a stay and play for a boys golf weekend. The casino was a little dated, but the golf course was amazing. Played 3 courses in the area and this was my favorite. Already planning the next golf weekend here. read more

Amazing food and great atmosphere! Everything we ordered was delicious and service was great. Came here during Covid-19, but didn't feel much different then before the pandemic, just fewer tables and the staff had masks. This is probably the best food in the whole area. Highly recommend! read more

We always enjoy having dinner here after playing golf. The view from the beautiful dining room is of the fabulous course--a treat in itself. The facility is very well designed and maintained with a staff that aims to please. The menu changes a little every year which makes for variety. We especially like that the menu offers the choice of ordering a large meal (right side of menu) or small meal (left side). The only surprise is that there aren't throngs of people here from the Fortune Bay casino. When we have guests, we usually take them to The Wilderness for lunch or dinner and they are always pleased, so I can vouch for their lunches, too. The bartender this year seems to know his stuff. Some in the past have been inexperienced. There is a dining program that gives credit for dollars spent that apply toward a future dinner. read more

Excellent food and service. One of the only truly professionally run restaurants around Vermilion. Very relaxing environment. Reasonable prices. Rotating menu and have always been impressed with different items. read more

Horrible food and drink for the price paid. Walleye sandwich for lunch, very small piece of fish, way overcooked and all batter, bun was much too big for the fish. Fettuccini alfredo for dinner, I asked if sauce was homemade and waitress said "yes", no way it was homemade, it was most certainly a package mix. My husband had prime rib, for $30 and it was fatty, no flavor and cold. For this kind of money, I expect better than average food and it was not. Now, on to the "beverages". Bar uses premeasured shots....ridiculous for that kind of a resort. I asked for a double shot second time around and was not better, I am guessing they may water down their booze? On a positive note, service was great! Very disappointing experience for a nice golf resort like that. read more

This place is top notch. Brought my wife out to eat and couldn't be happier. I had the battered walleye and she had the boiled walleye. Delicious!!! Oh and the carrot cake pops were great for desert. Our server Aly was awesome. The manager was super friendly as well. This is our go to restaurant when visiting Lake Vermilion. read more

I read through the 'reviews that are not currently recommended' section; one in particular from a woman named Marilyn said that she was so amazed that "throngs of people" weren't there because everything is so amazing. She is right that the views of the golf course, the service, the food - everything is amazing, but only a handful of diners are in this place at any given time because it is very, very expensive. Most of the people staying at Fortune Bay Resort and the locals who come here choose the two restaurants inside the resort because they are more reasonably priced. We only eat here on special occasions due to the high prices. read more

First off the course is beautiful, well maintained, and one of the nicest in MN. The only reason I am giving it a 3/5 is because my 2nd experience of this course had to end on hole 14 because of darkness. I was playing solo and booked a tee time at 2:10. I was there at 1 trying to get bumped up, but it was busy so that wasn't the case. When I showed up to the first tee was told by the starter I was bumped to 2:30 because the previous groups showed up with an extra player. Fine I thought until the first 9 took 3.5 hours and I walked off the course at 7:30 with 4 holes to go. The ranger was apologetic, but should have allowed better groups to play through some of the inexperienced casino-goers. No refund or rain check was offered either which was disappointing, but I guess it is hard to control slow play. My advice is to book your time early, and come ready for a 6+ hour round of golf. The first time I played here we tee'd off at 9am and finished the round at 3:30pm. Slow go at this place so if you are a golfer that needs a steady pace of play this beautiful ranger course is not for you, because you will have plenty of wait time between shots. read more

Course is in fantastic shape. Beautiful views, challenging holes. Staff is great, bloody mary's are amazing. HIGHLY recommended!!!

Our foursome spent a whole day here, playing 36 holes and having both lunch and dinner. Simply a top-notch experience all the way around. The staff was fantastic, the food was amazing, and the practice facilities and course are as nice as any in Minnesota. Phenomenal. read more

I love golfing at The Wilderness. The workers are all very nice, the views are spectacular and the course is always in great condition.