Ive been going down to the lake for years. How long would the trip be for? You should try to make it down during the week for a day or 2 on the lake before it gets crazy then. You have to be there for a weekend though to get out all the boats.

IMO you should plan a trip down on a not so busy weekend to get a feel for the lake and what is there. If your first trip is for the shootout, you will miss many of the hidden cool places. Also by having one trip under your belt, you will be a little more ready for the big water you will see on a busy weekend. Also if you need a place to stay, try VRBO. And many others here will have great recommendations. Make sure to go to LOTO however you can.It is an awesome place !!!!

I agree wiith Smitty on coming down for a non event/non holiday weekend for your first trip, especially if you don't move up in boat size

Camden on the Lake is nice, but way expensive to stay there. There are plenty of nice places to stay for half the $$.

We dumb lucked into LOTO and it is a fun place for sure. We came down for a convention and a guy offered us a ride on his boat. We're just there for a convention, right? the next day, I bought his house. Woke up 2 months later with a $140G mortgage thinking what the hell have I done.... best mistake I've ever made. Fast forward 8 years and I'd do it all over again, but might look around at a few other houses next time !

I'd just pick a weekend where something is going on even if its not the Shootout. the event weekends really bring out the performance machines.

Whatever you do--- DONOT drink the Pain n th azz w Floater!!!! I wish somebody would have warned ME!

And you MUST do shootout period.

we did the support our troops run in a 27 fountain last year great time , shootout weekends we stay at the 38mm , if you stay at lower mile markers you will have your hands full running home in the 27 (fun chit but bring your A game) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9ZOi4n3ydk
sure is fun

we put over 200 miles on during the troops weekend who knows maybe more ,

we live in St.Paul MN and love making the 9 hour trip
you won't regret it

wanting to plan another trip down this year as well.
Not really sure when yet, but the wife has never been so it has been about 7 years since I have been :(
Not a bad trip down from MN at all.
I agree that the Shootout is a must at least once! a year :) But also a time before to learn the land is much recommended!
Once I did 10 days there, stayed before the shootout and had a great time on the lake! Very calm, peaceful and fun to run flat out.
Shootout weekend you need to know where and when to go, or at least have others with you that know the place. Especially boating at night!
I would like to find a resort that has the slips for a 28' + and does not mind performance boats.
I have talked with some and it must just be me looking cheap and they were more fishing places :(
Just not really wanting to do the Condo thing unless it is someone's I know. Been burned a couple times. Some have major steps!!
Have a good time planning and enjoy it!! It makes anything here in MN like just what they are, a day lake!

Do not listen to this man. Floaters are the best invention ever! :evilb: I wish I could get a drink this way in MN.

I've been to the LOTO Shootout twice, staying at Tan-Tar-A and Robin's Resort. I'll be going back to Robin's Resort again. Everything was too far apart at Tan-Tar-A.

What is that??


Look like right now we are planning the shoutout weekend going down Tuesday like most have said. I would also like to go down for troops run when is that?