Welcome to Osage in Becker County MN

Straight Lake, Two Inlets State Forest, Smokey Hills Wilderness Park, Lakes, Lakes, Lakes

Osage is a pleasant town located within the Park Rapids area in the middle of Northern Minnesota. According to the 2010 census, the population of Osage was 323. The average household size in Osage is around 2 people, a little less than the Minnesota average. The percentage of family households in Osage is higher than the Minnesota average at 70.5 percent. The median household income and estimated median house or condo value are both below the Minnesota average, making Osage a good market for prime residential and lake home real estate. Although Osage is a quaint town, there's always something to do for the town's residents and guests.

Many people who decide to settle down in Osage make their choice because there is a great variety of higher education options in the surrounding area. There are seven colleges and universities within an 80-mile radius of Osage. From nearest to farthst, these colleges and universities include Bemidji State University, Minnesota State Community and Technical College, Central Lakes College - Brainerd Campus, Minnesota State University - Moorhead, Concordia College at Moorhead, Alexandria Technical and Community College, and North Dakota State University - Main Campus.

Within just a 20-mile radius around Osage, there is access to over 400 lakes with endless recreation and activities in the Northern Minnesota region. Fishing and swimming are the main draws to the lakes, along with boating, canoeing, jetskiing, tubing, and water skiing. A variety of fishing is available including black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, brown bullhead, common shiner, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, shorthead redhorse, tullibee, walleye, white sucker, and yellow perch.

Straight Lake

Straight Lake is the main draw of the Osage area, stretching with a surface area of 423 acres all throughout the town. There are many access spots, resorts, and lake homes and cabins located along the Straight Lake shoreline. Straight lake has excellent water clarity and a maximum depth of 63 feet, with good aquatic vegetation cover that provides excellent habitat for a variety of fish. Straight Lake is known for it's abundance of walleye and northern pike. There have been walleye that measure up to 29 inches found in Straight Lake. Panfishing is also a big hit. Other species found in Straight Lake include yellow bullhead, black bullhead, hybrid sunfish, rock bass, and white sucker.

There is a state-owned public access located at the south end of Straight Lake. The lake attracts Osage residents and visitors during the warm season because of it's wonderful public swimming area. Straight Lake has great sandy beaches for laying out in the sun or playing volleyball. There is also a boat parade on the Fourth of July and other fun water recreation events. Ice fishing is popular on Mill Pond, also located on the south end of Straight Lake.

Lakes, Lakes, Lakes

Some of the other large lakes in the surrounding Osage area include Shell Lake, Toad Lake, Wolf Lake, Island Lake, Big Rush Lake, Round Lake, Portage Lake, Fishhook Lake, Potato Lake and Long Lake. Other smaller lakes in the surrounding Osage area include Blueberry Lake, Twin Lakes, and Hinds Lake. Bog Lake is connected to Straight Lake by channel. Elbow Lake, Gyles Lake, and Linbom Lake are located within the Smokey Hills Wilderness Park. Two Inlets Lake, Big Tam Lake, Small Lake, Stump Lake, Fools Lake, Horseshoe Lake, and Mud Lake are all conveniently located within Two Inlets State Forest just ten minutes from Osage taking State Highway 135 north into the forest. The Straight River runs from Straight Lake into the Two Inlets State Forest north of Osage.

Two Inlets State Forest, Hungryman Lake Campground

Two Inlets State Forest is made up of more than 26,000 acres in Northern Minnesota. Access into Two Inlets State Forest is from the town of Two Inlets, west on Highway 46 to Highway 135 and just north of Osage. With the various lakes within the State Forest, boating, fishing, and swimming are all popular water recreation activities. Boat accesses are provided on Hungry Man Lake, Cedar Lake, and Two Inlets Lake. There are more than 27 miles of snowmobile trails that connect to a large network of trails for hiking, ATV, off-highway motorcycling, hiking, and bycicling. Hunting is also popular in the State Forest. Deer, ruffed grouse, and small game can be found in Two Inlets State Forest.

Camping is also big in the Two Inlets State Forest, with dispersed camping throughout the forest and the Hungryman Lake Campground. The Hungryman Lake Campground is located just eight miles south of Itasca State Park. The campground consists of 14 cleared campsite areas on a pine covered rise above Hungry Man Lake. Each campsite contains a fire ring and a table. There are also vault toilets, garbage cans, and drinking water available. The campground is designed to give off a true outdoor feel, furnishing only the basic needs of a camper.

Smokey Hills Wilderness Park

The Smokey Hills Wilderness Park is another big attraction for the Osage area and is located on State Highway 34 next to Osage and 9 miles west of Park Rapids. Smokey Hills Wilderness Park is part of the Smokey Hills State Forest that expands 24,000 acres in Northern Minnesota. The park is a great place for family get-togethers, large groups, lodging, and more. There are 40 seasonal and overnight RV sites, 18 themed cabins that can room up to 14 people, and other camping sites. The cabins are set with wireless internet access, satellite TV with DVD players, air conditioning, and kitchen amenities. There are also two room suites that have a living area with a futon, recliner, and set of dishes.

The on-site restaurant is great for events since it can accommodate up to 100 people. There is a vast network of trails used for ATV, hiking, nature tracking, and bird watching. Other attractive features of the Smokey Hills Wilderness Park include volleyball courts, basketball court, horseshoes, an expanded playground with a children's train, outdoor swimming pool, movie theather, hot tub and sauna, laundry facility, and a coffee shop. Each fall and spring the park hosts weekend crafting events.

The Smokey Hills Wilderness Park also has a conference center that was built to hold up to 100 people. The conference center has wireless internet access, audio and video equipment, a full sound booth, electric piano, and a screen and projector for presentations. The conference center is popular for graduation parties, weddings and anniversaries, and meetings.

Community Service

Although Osage is a tiny place by average standards, the Osage Lions Club is actually quite active and contributes a great deal to the community. The Club members maintain a 20 acre park in Osage that has two ball fields, a sand volleyball court, horseshoe pits, swing sets and children's playground. The park also has a food serving area with hot and cold water and two indoor plumbing bathrooms. The picnic area is always open from spring to fall but closed in the winter months.

Osage has many attractive features for anyone interested in small town living with access to nearby recreation in the great outdoors. For help with any of your real estate needs in and around the Osage area, be sure to contact Jack Brann today.