Tucked in the woods near Detroit Lakes, Maplelag Resort is a hidden gem. It’s not flashy. It’s not corporate. It’s personal. Every trail, every cabin, every weathered board has a story—and most of those stories start with the Richards family.

Location: Callaway, MN
Activities: Cross-country skiing, hiking, biking, lake activities, wellness retreats
Capacity: 85–90 guests

From Syrup Dreams to a Ski Destination

Jay Richards grew up on the land that would become Maplelag. His parents moved there in 1973 with a dream to live off the land and make maple syrup. They hauled in old log cabins, opened trails, and charged a few bucks for guests to ski and sleep in rustic quarters.

Then Concordia Language Villages came knocking. Suddenly, this remote homestead had momentum. The Richards built a lodge, served meals with Scandinavian flair, and welcomed Norwegian students who helped run the place. Slowly, they built a resort that could host 250 guests at its peak.

Jay left for college, studied in Norway, and circled back after working at the Izaak Walton Inn near Glacier National Park. He returned to Maplelag in 1997 and never really left. Fires in 1999 and again in 2022 forced the family to pivot—but they rebuilt with purpose each time.

Today, Maplelag is leaner, more intentional, and still completely family-run.

This isn’t a plug-and-play resort. It’s lived-in. Jay and his wife do it all—trails, bookings, maintenance, design. The former lodge is gone, but the vision is alive and evolving.

Instead of central dining, cabins are being renovated with full kitchens. The Richards’ original family home, packed with cedar, barnwood, and reclaimed maple flooring, is now a one-of-a-kind rental nearing completion and a newly built sauna adds a restorative layer to the guest experience.

Another project underway is a wellness and retreat space converted from a bunkhouse. It’s set up for yoga groups, meditation, and weightlifting— anything that connects people to the land and themselves.

Trails That Speak for Themselves

Maplelag’s trail network—about 90 kilometers of it—is built for skiing, biking, and snowshoeing. Jay compares trail prep to training for a sport, “All of the work happens in the off-season so everything runs smoothly when it counts.”

Deadfall is cleared. Leaves are removed. Grass is managed in layers. The moss bed underfoot holds snow better than most, which gives Maplelag an edge in lean winters. Jay knows every curve and slope. He grooms at all hours—sometimes at 3 a.m.—watching for the perfect window to lock in ideal snow conditions.

He also skis daily, not just for fun, but to feel how the trail responds to grooming and use. It’s part of the quality control process—intuitive, informed, and driven by decades of hands-on knowledge.

Guests don’t just come to Maplelag to ski, mountain bike, or hike. They come to recharge. The Richards treat hospitality like healing. Their goal? To help people feel restored, grounded, and welcomed. The slower pace, the wildflowers, the quiet—these aren’t extras. They’re the whole point.

“We call it the Maplelag family,” Jay said. “It’s about belonging.”

The Experience Today

Maplelag can now host up to about 85–90 people at a time. That smaller footprint allows for more personal stays, especially with flexible rentals and group offerings. Whether it’s: