Douglas County · 1,050 acres
Lake Darling homes for sale
Lake Darling covers about 1,050 acres in Douglas County and reaches 62 feet at its deepest. The closest towns are Alexandria, Garfield, and Carlos, and there is public access at one point listed by the Minnesota DNR.
See every home for sale on or near Lake Darling, from every brokerage.
See Lake Darling homes for saleOpen the map around Lake DarlingLakeshore homes for sale on Lake Darling, from every brokerage.
Lakeshore homes onlyActive listings from every brokerage, from NorthstarMLS through IDX Broker. Janet can be your buyer's agent on any of them.
The lake
About Lake Darling
Lake Darling is part of the Alexandria Chain of Lakes, joined by channel to Lake Carlos on the north edge of Alexandria. Shoreline is largely built out with year-round homes.
The DNR lists one public access with no boat ramp (type code C), so most boat traffic arrives from the chain.
Lake Darling is the ninth-largest of the 24 Douglas County lakes on this site, and Lake Osakis is the largest. About 53% of it is under 15 feet deep, the DNR's littoral zone where most aquatic plants grow, and the rest is deeper water. It is one of the 5 Alexandria Chain of Lakes basins with a page here, with Lake Carlos, Lake Le Homme Dieu, Lake Geneva, and Lake Victoria; together they cover about 6,513 acres.
From the middle of Lake Darling, as the crow flies, it is about 3 miles to Alexandria, 5 miles to Garfield, and 6 miles to Carlos. Janet's office is in Alexandria.
Lake Darling facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Surface area | 1,050 acres |
| Maximum depth | 62 feet |
| Littoral (under 15 ft) | 53% |
| Shoreline | 6.8 miles |
| Public access | Yes, 1 DNR-listed access |
| Fish species (DNR survey) | walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass |
| Invasive species (DNR) | zebra mussel |
| County | Douglas County |
| Town | Alexandria |
| Drive from Alexandria | about 3 mi, 5 minutes |
| DNR lake ID | 21-0080-00 |
Figures from the Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, pulled 2026-09-22.
Nearby
Towns on and near Lake Darling
Other lakes nearby
What to know
Janet on the lakes
Lots on Lake Darling that are level to the water tend to sell faster than steep lots with a long stairway down. Sunset exposure, lot width at the shore, and elevation all show up in what buyers pay.
The buying a lake home guide covers docks, septic, shoreland rules and financing in more detail.
We were in the market for a cabin and met Janet, with our first visit to a cabin we were interested in. Janet worked tirelessly to help us find a place that met our requirements. She was extremely knowledgeable of lakes, homes and their backgrounds. I would recommend Janet for any real estate needs.
Track record
Janet's sales near Lake Darling
Of the homes Home Match Realty listed and sold, the closest to Lake Darling is in Alexandria, about 2 miles from the lake as the crow flies. One more is in Alexandria (4 miles), and the next closest is in Carlos (6 miles).
The Broker Reciprocity logo marks sold data supplied by NorthstarMLS through its Broker Reciprocity program. Data believed to be accurate but should be independently verified. Properties displayed may be listed or sold by various participants in the MLS.
Talk to Janet
What would make Lake Darling right for you?
Send Janet a note through the form below with the kind of place you want on Lake Darling. She reads every message herself and replies personally.
If you are selling lakeshore, start with the selling a lake home guide or the home value form.
FAQ
Questions about Lake Darling
Is there public access on Lake Darling?
The Minnesota DNR lists public access at one point on Lake Darling. The DNR lists one public access with no boat ramp (type code C), so most boat traffic arrives from the chain.
What fish are in Lake Darling?
The DNR's surveys of Lake Darling list walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass. The DNR has also confirmed zebra mussels in the lake. Its DNR lake ID is 21-0080-00, and its LakeFinder page has the survey reports.
How deep is Lake Darling?
Lake Darling reaches 62 feet at its deepest and covers about 1,050 acres, with 6.8 miles of shoreline. That makes it the 12th-deepest of the 24 Douglas County lakes on this site.
Is the road to Lake Darling plowed in winter?
It depends on the road, so ask before you buy. County and township roads are plowed by the public, and private or association roads are handled by the owners along them.
From the blog
Reading about Lake Darling
Lake, Cabin and Land
Lake Darling Access: Local Launch or Alexandria Chain Route?
Buying on Lake Darling? Check whether your plan uses a direct launch, private access or another Alexandria chain lake, then test the complete route.
Lakes
Lake Miltona vs Darling vs Carlos: A Buyer's Comparison
Lake Miltona, Lake Darling and Lake Carlos compared for home buyers: acres, depth, clarity, public access, drive to Alexandria and what each shoreline costs.
Lakes
Lakes Near Alexandria for a Year-Round Home vs a Cabin
For a year-round home near Alexandria, start with the Chain near town; for a cabin, compare shore and access. Carlos, Ida, Miltona and Osakis compared.
Ready when you are
Talk to Janet about Lake Darling
Shoreline moves fast in spring. A short call now puts you first in line.