Pequot Lakes, Minnesota Short-Term Rental Market
Northern Minnesota lake-country STRs averaged $320 a night at 63.0% occupancy and $5,579 monthly revenue in August 2026.
Quick Answer: Pequot Lakes, Minnesota is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Minnesota Area market area is 50%. average monthly revenue in the Minnesota Area market area is $3,783. average daily rate in the Minnesota Area market area is $271. the top operator in the Minnesota Area market area is Evolve with 339 listings. market score is 72/100 (grade B).
Market data reflects the Minnesota Area regional market, which includes Pequot Lakes. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Pequot Lakes.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Short-term rental performance for Pequot Lakes is reported here at the regional level. Pequot Lakes is a city of 2,651 residents in the Brainerd Lakes area, but the STR data behind this page is shared by four northern Minnesota lake and resort towns: Pequot Lakes, Nevis, Detroit Lakes, and Lutsen. Every performance figure below describes that northern Minnesota lake-country STR market, not Pequot Lakes alone. Listing counts, listing-type mix, bedroom mix, and channel mix are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Pequot Lakes, so this profile omits them.
In August 2026 the northern Minnesota lake-country STR market averaged $320 per night at 63.0% occupancy. Average monthly revenue was $5,579. Compared with August 2025, occupancy fell 2.7%, average daily rate rose 2.7%, and revenue rose 0.5%. Higher rates offset softer occupancy, so revenue stayed close to flat.
The longer series shows the same pattern. Annual average occupancy peaked at 60.5% in 2021 and settled at 50.0% in 2025. Average daily rate climbed from $175 in 2020 to $241 in 2025. Average monthly revenue was $3,334 in 2025, up from $3,070 in 2024. For January through August 2026, the averages are 52.3% occupancy, $249 ADR, and $3,571 monthly revenue.
Demand centers on summer lake recreation. Visitors are mostly Midwest leisure travelers, including Twin Cities weekenders, retirees, and second-home owners. Draws near Pequot Lakes include Pelican Lake, the Whitefish Chain of Lakes, and the 115-mile Paul Bunyan State Trail, which passes through downtown. Winter brings ice fishing and snowmobiling traffic, but those months run well below summer on occupancy and revenue.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 40% |
| Feb | 45% |
| Mar | 46% |
| Apr | 46% |
| May | 54% |
| Jun | 66% |
| Jul | 71% |
| Aug | 66% |
| Sep | 50% |
| Oct | 50% |
| Nov | 41% |
| Dec | 47% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Pequot Lakes are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Minnesota Area market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Minnesota Area market as a whole, which includes Pequot Lakes, so these counts are not Pequot Lakes-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evolve | 339 | 13,153 | ★ 4.77 |
| 2 | Cascade Vacation Rentals | 182 | 3,864 | ★ 4.76 |
| 3 | Heirloom | 111 | 7,480 | ★ 4.82 |
| 4 | Sota Lake Home Rentals | 61 | 1,311 | ★ 4.50 |
| 5 | Woods To Water Vacation Homes | 48 | 942 | ★ 4.95 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Pequot Lakes?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Pequot Lakes are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 40% |
| vrbo | 14.3% |
| both | 45.8% |
Home Value Trends (Pequot Lakes)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Pequot Lakes are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Insights
Booking-window and length-of-stay analysis for Pequot Lakes — how far ahead guests book and how to price around it — is available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Pequot Lakes does not regulate short-term rentals. On February 6, 2023, the City Council voted to stop regulating STRs entirely. It adopted the planning and zoning commission’s recommendation after Crow Wing County rescinded its own STR ordinance.
Today there is no STR permit, no permit fee, no owner-occupancy requirement, no primary-residence requirement, and no cap on rental nights. No STR-specific zoning limit applies. Standard residential zoning otherwise governs. Operators must still follow general city ordinances such as noise rules, and Minnesota state sales and lodging tax obligations apply to rental receipts. A city-specific lodging tax rate was not confirmed. Enforcement is rated minimal.
The rules have changed before. The city adopted an STR ordinance in December 2018 that allowed a $75 permit to rent up to four times between May 20 and September. In March 2021 the city rescinded it and deferred to the Crow Wing County ordinance, which took effect January 1, 2021. When the county dropped that ordinance, the city chose full deregulation in 2023.
This is a low-barrier environment, but council turnover could bring new rules. The area profile was last verified in July 2026. Confirm current requirements with the city before you buy.
Market Comparison
Against commonly cited US figures of about 55% occupancy and a $220 ADR, the northern Minnesota lake-country series looks strong in summer and weaker over a full year. August 2026 occupancy of 63.0% is 8.0 points above the 55% benchmark, and the $320 ADR is about 45% above $220. The 2025 annual average tells a different story. Occupancy was 50.0%, which is 5 points below the benchmark, while the $241 ADR was about 10% above it.
The pattern is high rates and a short season. Revenue per month reaches $4,914 in July but falls to $1,914 in April. Owners who depend on year-round income will find the off-season thin.
Top property managers are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Pequot Lakes, so this profile omits operator names and listing shares. The same applies to listing-type and bedroom mix.
For context, the series is shared with Nevis, Detroit Lakes, and Lutsen. Compare any one of those towns against this page with that overlap in mind.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pequot Lakes, Minnesota
What is the average Airbnb nightly rate near Pequot Lakes, MN?
What is the occupancy rate for short-term rentals in the Pequot Lakes area?
Do you need a permit to run an Airbnb in Pequot Lakes?
What are the best months for STR income in the Pequot Lakes area?
How much does a home cost in Pequot Lakes?
How far ahead do guests book, and how long do they stay?
Why does this page use regional data instead of Pequot Lakes alone?
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