Summer in Minnesota’s North Country - Timberlane Resort + Bear’s Den Golf + Riverside Point Resort
Owner of Fargo’s Precision Lawn & Landscape, Skyler Akason, has made transforming the outdoors his life’s passion, so, unsurprisingly, his latest venture is all about designing the perfect summer in Minnesota’s North Country. Skyler and his family have taken ownership of Park Rapids’ Riverside Point Resort, Timberlane Resort, and the beautiful Bear’s Den golf course — putting his 25 years of landscape and entrepreneurial expertise to work for your next getaway. To feel the full vacation vibe, we’re heading to Long Lake, so your cozy and carefree summer can start wherever you want — the forest, golf course, pristine waters, or sandy shoreline.
by TRACY NICHOLSON
bear’s den & timberlane photos by SIIRO GRAVITY MEDIA
riverside point photos by DAN FRANCIS PHOTOGRAPHY
LAKE-SCAPING
Skyler’s landscaping business may have started with mowing his neighbor’s lawns in 2000, but with the help of a dedicated team and his wife and CFO, Jen, it quickly grew into one of the region’s leading landscape, lawn care, and snow removal companies. When the two aren’t running Fargo’s Precision Lawn & Landscape, you can bet their family is in their happy place in Minnesota’s North Country, inspecting the greens or working overtime to lure vacationers to Long Lake’s shoreline with several well-curated cabins and waterfront luxury vacation homes.
While his family business is still focused on transforming outdoor spaces, including the Bear’s Den golf course, he’s now equally focused on Park Rapids’ resort and cabin experience, leading the ongoing improvements at Riverside Point and Timberlane resorts.
“My family has been visiting Park Rapids for about 17 years now, and we absolutely love the area,” said Akason. “We enjoy it so much that we decided to purchase our own place about four years ago on Long Lake. We spend as much time as we can there.”
Skyler’s interest in vacation rentals and resort life was sparked with the purchase of his first vacation rental in 2019. Shortly after acquiring a couple of vacation homes, an opportunity arose to purchase Riverside Point Resort. In 2024, the Akason family took on another challenge, with Timberlane Resort and Bear’s Den Golf Course. “Timberlane Resort has always caught my eye as a beautiful property on Long Lake,” said Akason. “Being in the vacation rental business already, it was a great fit; the golf course was just a bonus. I had never considered owning or managing a golf course but it has been a great experience.”
With hard work and loyal employees, Skyler’s team is improving all of the properties, with the most dramatic changes happening at Timberlane Resort and its 20-year-old Bear’s Den Golf Course.
“The resort and golf course were both in need of some TLC and a fresh group of people to take over,” said Akason. “Over the last year and a half, we have invested a lot into making improvements to make the experience better for all of our guests, both renters and golfers.”
BEAR'S DEN GOLF COURSE AT TIMBERLANE RESORT
Seeing off the Park Rapids tour, we’re taking to the greens at Bear’s Den Golf Course at Timberlane Resort, where Skyler’s team has been working on transforming the course. This well-manicured nine-hole course offers a practice putting green, a driving range, and the only free warm-up hole in Minnesota.
The 250-yard bonus hole gets golfers ready for an unforgettable experience that winds around Minnesota’s Northwoods. There’s even a bear’s den, which has been preserved near the challenging 8th hole. The course is conveniently adjacent to Timberlane Resort and just a short walk from all lodging facilities. A popular improvement has been the option to rent golf scooters, which gives guests a whole new course experience.
TIMBERLANE RESORT
Timberlane Resort guests will also see ongoing improvements, with updates to all 19 of the shoreline’s charming cabins and condos, featuring one to four-bed cottages that sleep from two to 14 people. Each Condo, Cabana, Villa, and Cottage faces the lake, spaced nicely to ensure complete privacy. All are fully equipped with an outdoor grill, outdoor furniture, Smart TVs, Wi-Fi, towels, and bed linens, with some offering fireplaces, air conditioning, and Jacuzzi tubs.
Beyond the golf course and pristine water, this resort has it all, including sandy beaches, pontoon rentals, indoor/outdoor recreation, and a Grand Lodge for gatherings. Here, its many lodging options accommodate everything from low-key retreats to fun-filled family reunions or corporate events.
TIMBERLANE’S GRAND LODGE + RECREATION BUILDING
Timberlane’s Grand Lodge overlooks Long Lake and has two large stone fireplaces, where friends and family can gather. The Lodge also entertains guests with video/arcade games, pool tables, a TV, and a snack bar.
Enjoying Timberlane’s Lodge or Recreation building, guests can play all day inside or take to the water for a day of fishing or water sports, with access to the resort’s canoes, kayaks, and paddleboats.
On the grounds of this resort, families will find every level of fun, including a heated outdoor pool overlooking the lake, sandy shorelines, a tennis/pickleball court, a basketball court, a golf driving range, shuffleboard, and a playground.
RIVERSIDE POINT RESORT/MOTEL
Riverside Point Resort is a year-round vacation destination, offering eight unique cabins, with access to fun shopping and dining experiences nearby in downtown Park Rapids. The resort is located on the Fishhook River connected to Fishhook Lake, offering fantastic fishing and easy access to the lake by boat. Here, pontoons can be rented, and outdoor grills, firepits, kayaks, and canoes come with the resort.
This resort has multiple attached smaller cabins, a separate cabin (cabin #8) on the water, and a larger five-bedroom house that sleeps 14. Riverside Point also has a game room with a pool table and dart board, along with coin-operated laundry for all guests.
LAKESIDE LUXURY
Inside and outside the resorts, the Akasons can offer guests even more privacy, with the opportunity to rent one of three luxury lake homes. Just like the resorts, all three of the private lake homes have gas grills and firepits, with pontoons available for rent.
BEAR PATH HOUSE ON FISHHOOK RIVER
The Bear Path House is a 10,000-square-foot log home on Fishhook River that sleeps 23. This lake home can be split up, and smaller groups can rent the main house (13 people) or the loft (10 people). This property has kayaks, a movie theatre, arcade games, a pool table, two shuffleboard tables, and a sauna.
DAYSPRING ON LONG LAKE
The Dayspring property is a 6,000-square-foot home on beautiful Long Lake that sleeps 16. The property has kayaks, paddleboards, a foosball table, an indoor basketball court, an outdoor volleyball court by the lake, and a hot tub.
WALKER BAY ON LEECH LAKE
The Akason's Leech Lake property in Walker, MN, is a stunning seven-bedroom home that can sleep over 16 people. Here, guests will find a dartboard, kayaks, and multiple indoor and outdoor games.
"It's your own private home on Walker Bay, with beautiful views of Leech Lake," said Akason. "It is right in the town of Walker and just a short walk to many restaurants, shops, and boutiques."
SAVING SUMMER
Leveraging his experience in landscaping and lakes country, Skyler is changing the vacation game, and longtime guests are thrilled to see the improvements. “Being in the landscape business has definitely helped in the maintenance and upkeep of the golf course,” said Akason. “It also provides a great opportunity for making improvements and adding features that didn’t already exist. We have heard from a lot of local people that they are happy about the new ownership and that they are glad to have an owner who cares so much about the community and making improvements. I love that we’re able to show people what an amazing place it is and what the area has to offer.”
“TO ME, THE MOST EXCITING THING ABOUT OWNING AND MANAGING VACATION RENTALS, RESORTS, AND A GOLF COURSE IS KNOWING THAT WE ARE PROVIDING PLACES AND EXPERIENCES FOR PEOPLE TO MAKE WONDERFUL MEMORIES WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS THAT WILL LAST A LIFETIME.”
READY TO RENT?
Right now, both resorts and all three vacation homes can accommodate small family/friend gatherings, corporate retreats, weddings, family reunions, and every celebration in between. Depending on the size of the event, Akason’s team will help your group get set up at the appropriate property. The luxury lake homes and resort cabins still have some availability this summer, but per Skyler’s advice — reach out sooner rather than later, as rental dates fill up fast.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Timberlane Resort
18454 Dayspring Drive | Park Rapids, MN
218.732.8489
vacation@timberlaneresort.com
Bear’s Den Golf Course at Timberlane Resort
[Open 7 days a week 7 AM – 9 PM]
18454 Dayspring Drive | Park Rapids, MN
218.732.7373
Riverside Point Resort
700 Park Avenue North | Park Rapids, MN
218.616.1814
office@LakeLifeLodging.com