Welcome to Sunset Bay Resort!

Welcome to Sunset Bay Resort! We are located in Richville, MN, on beautiful unspoiled Dead Lake, in the heart of Otter Tail County lake country. Our secluded 15 wooded acres and 550 feet of clean sugar sand beach make Sunset Bay a perfect getaway! We offer 8 cabins that have fully equipped kitchens and private bathrooms, 4 campsites with electric and water hookups, a spectacular swimming beach, our own boat launch, game room, fish cleaning house, small store, and shower house. Now under new ownership, the resort has undergone several updates. The old owner’s home is now Cabin 8, and boasts 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, with a fabulous view of the lake! Also, a relocated game room and remodeled office/store welcome guests. Wifi capability has been extended to include the entire resort, new carpet has been laid in the cabins, and new mattresses have been purchased for every bed. New owners, Jim and Kristin Wherley, are excited to be back home in Minnesota and invite you to come see what Sunset Bay has to offer for your next vacation!

About Dead Lake and Fishing

Dead Lake spans over 7,900 acres with depths over 60 feet. More than 80 percent of the lake has a depth of 15 feet or less. It offers over 36 miles of lakeshore and varied structure. Dead Lake enjoys a reputation for excellent fishing for walleye, large-mouth bass, northern pike, crappie, bluegill and sunfish. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources within its Lake Report states that "Dead Lake has a reputation as one of the best all-around fishing lakes in Otter Tail County." It is known as one of the best lakes for fall fishing in the area, and offers duck hunting opportunities as well.

For more details about Dead lake, visit the DNR's Lakefinder to view the full Lake Information Report.

Amenities and Activities

Boating

Dead Lake offers an abundance of activities on the water to enjoy, such as catching your next trophy fish, recreational boating, or just floating in the bright sunshine.

The Sunset Bay office sells boat gas and oil. Paddleboats, a canoe, life jackets and a fish cleaning facility are all available at no charge to guests. Dock space, boats, motors and a pontoon may be rented as demand permits—equipment should be reserved in advance to ensure availability*. Rates for non-guests available upon request.

Equipment Weekly Rate Daily Rate Hourly Rate
20' Pontoon* $500 $100 $30 (first) / $20 (additional)
9.9hp motor* $150 $35
14' Boat* $50 $15
Dock Slip* $50 $10
Boat Launch $7 per Trailer
  • Cabin rentals include a 14' fishing boat OR one launch and boat dock for a personal boat.
  • Camping rentals include launch and beach space for one personal boat per campsite. Dock space may be rented separately, if available.
  • A non-refundable deposit of $25/day or $100/week is required to reserve the pontoon.
  • Gas and oil used is additional.

Swimming

Our beach is one of our best features! We have over 550 feet of clean sugar sand shoreline with a beachside playground and a buoyed swimming area with a raft. Come build that perfect sandcastle or try a paddleboat, canoe, Fun Bug or just float on an inner tube! Please note that there is no lifeguard on duty. Sunscreen is available for purchase in the Office, as well as scrumptious ice cream bars for that lazy afternoon at the beach.

Beach Volleyball

Outdoor Games

Sunset Bay is situated on 15 wooded acres to explore and enjoy, which are adjacent to 550 feet of clean sandy shoreline. We have a beachside playground, badminton, basketball hoops, volleyball nets both for land and in the water, Frisbees, soccer balls, croquet and bocce ball.

All equipment is available in the Office and is free of charge.

Game Room

Come see our new Game Room! It is located next to the Fish Cleaning House, across from the Restroom and Shower Facilities. We have ping pong, air hockey, bumper pool, foosball and a game table all waiting for you! Board games, cards and puzzles are also available to either play in the Game Room or to take back to your cabin. A small television equipped to play DVD’s and VCR tapes is also located here-we have many movies for you to watch on those occasional rainy days.

Camping

Our four campsites each have electric (30A), water hookups and fire pits. One bundle of firewood is included with each space, with additional firewood available for purchase. Please do not bring firewood unless it is from within 50 miles of the resort. We can accommodate tents, pop-ups, pick-up campers, trailers, fifth-wheels or motorhomes (no pull-through sites or seasonal sites). Restroom and Shower facilities are provided, as well as access to all resort amenities. Clotheslines and picnic tables are also available for your use. Camping rates include boat launch and beach space for one boat per campsite. Dock space may be rented separately, if available.

Camping Rates

Area Activities

The surrounding area offers numerous golf courses, horseback trail rides, bike trails, a movie theater, a community recreation center, museums, the weekly Perham International Turtle Races, the Turtle Fest in June, the East Otter Tail County Fair in July, plus many antique and specialty shops. There are churches of most denominations, and many places for dining and dancing. Maplewood State Park, Glendalough State Park and Inspiration Peak are not far from Sunset Bay. Also nearby is Minnesota’s first official birding trail, the Pine to Prairie Trail.

Golf Courses
Thumper Pond Golf Course in Ottertail
Perham Lakeside Golf Club in Perham
Balmoral Golf Course in Battle Lake
Wildflower Golf Course in Detroit Lakes
Horseback Riding
Shady Oaks Riding Stable
Biking
Central Lakes Trail
Lakes Area Bike Club
Movies
We also have movies to watch in the Game Room.
Perham Area Community Center
Pools, waterslides, fitness rooms, roller skating & more! www.346pacc.com
Museums
"In Their Own Words" Veteran's Museum
Other Museums and Cultural Centers
Parks, Trails and Nature Centers
Ottertail County Parks
Bowling & Events Center
The Cactus
Area Restaurants & Groceries
Perham Restaurants and Groceries
Events in Town
Turtle Races - Every Wednesday at 10 a.m. in Perham City Park during June, July & August
Turtle Fest - June 15-23, 2013
East Otter Tail County Fair at the Perham Fairgrounds, Jul 25-28, 2013
Complete Calendar of Events: http://www.perham.com/calendar.php

Services

Laundromat
  • Deer Lane Laundromat (by the Dent Oasis)
  • 112 Main St., Dent, MN
  • 218-732-8187
  • Spin City Laundromat
  • 620 W. Main St., Perham, MN
  • 218-346-3530
Bait & Tackle
  • Floppie Crappie Bait & Tackle
  • 202 Main St., Dent, MN
  • 218-758-2339