Dunton Locks Recreation Area

Dunton Locks Recreation Area is a year-round, family-friendly recreation area located on the quiet shores of Muskrat Lake and Lake Sallie in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. The recreation area is easily accessed by bicycle, rollerblades, or by foot using the Fish Hatchery Recreational Trail located on West Shore Drive near the Pelican River. This quiet, year-round park contains two picnic shelters, hiking, and mountain biking trails that double as cross-country ski trails in the winter, a paved recreation trail, interpretive history signs, two fishing piers, and a mechanical boat tram that transports boats, PWC, and pontoons between Muskrat Lake and Lake Sallie, allowing boat travel from Detroit Lakes to Shoreham.

Hit The Trails

Dunton Locks is a 53-acre park that has South and North mountain bike trails. Combined there are 3.8 miles of trails. The northern trails run through wooded areas, up and down numerous hills. This trail has many different routes throughout to make it a longer trail and is considered an intermediate trail with some challenging stretches. The southern trails also wind through forested areas, alongside Lake Sallie, and then into Soo Pass Ranch, which is private land that is used for We-Fest and other Music Festivals. The southern trails are the easiest in the park and have different variations to make them one of the most enjoyable trails in Detroit Lakes. Take advantage of the next nice day and explore Dunton Locks on our E-bikes!

The easiest route to get to Dunton Locks starts at GoGo Rental in Detroit Lakes. There is plenty of space to park your vehicle at our GoGo Rental parking lot and from the corner of our parking lot, starts the Fish Hatchery Recreation Trail. This trail leads straight to Dunton Locks Recreation Area, following alongside the channel to Little Detroit and Muskrat Lake. Make sure to pack everything you need to spend the day exploring Dunton Locks. 

Once you arrive at the park, you can choose from either the South or North mountain bike trails. The map above shows you the different routes and difficulties of each trail. Make sure to bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and even a bathing suit as you will have numerous lakes to jump in and cool off. Check out some of our add-ons to make the day more convenient and enjoyable!

Dunton Locks County Park is open year-round, 7 days a week. The park opens at 6 am and closes at 10 pm. All trails can be used for Hiking, Biking, Running and there are groomed cross country ski trails in the winter. The boat tram costs $10 per round trip or $75 for a season pass. The park also has two shelters that can be used for picnics or events, each shelter holds 48 people. 

Get Zome Food at Zorbaz

Once you are done riding the trails at Dunton Locks, ride along Detroit Lakes Beach to Zorbaz! Zorbaz is a beachfront restaurant in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, and is a great place to spend a summer day. On a warm sunny day, you can find a large crowd of people lounging on the beach, soaking up the sunshine and enjoying the cool breeze coming off of Detroit Lake. Zorbaz has spent the last fifty years serving delicious food to people visiting the beach. You can find everything from pizzas, burgers fries, sandwiches, craft beers, and a full bar. Zorbaz has been a town favorite that has people coming back time and time again for the great service, food, drinks, and atmosphere.