Bethel is a small city north of Minneapolis
Bethel occupies a tiny pocket of land in the northern reaches of the Twin Cities metro area, about 35 miles from Minneapolis. The city is so small that most of its 500 residents could traverse the area on foot, but aside from a couple of local bars, there isn’t much to walk to. The marshy landscape of Sandshore Lake stretches out alongside a main thoroughfare, and forests grow in all directions. “We’re a one-square-mile town,” says Ginger Berg, a 25-year resident and Bethel’s city clerk. “You see sandhill cranes and ducks on the lake. It’s country life.”
Shotgun and ranch-style homes in Bethel’s central section
Railroad tracks — and the occasional freight train — roll through the central section of Bethel. In this area, ranch-style and shotgun houses sit on shaded lots measuring about a quarter of an acre. Some homes date to the 1970s, while others feature new construction. Streets are broad enough for two cars to pass easily, but only a few have sidewalks. On the outskirts, wooded rural areas separate the properties, which generally include more acreage. Sales are infrequent, but shotgun homes recently sold for around $300,000, while New Traditional builds sold for $300,000 to $360,000. The risk of hail, strong wind and winter ice storms is high in the Twin Cities region, and many houses in Bethel have garages to help protect against vehicle damage.
Spooky surprises pop up in the Bethel Haunted Forest
Just outside Bethel, hiking and biking trails zigzag through the Bethel Haunted Forest. The city’s fire department used to host a fall fundraiser in the woods, and while they’ve discontinued the event, they left props behind for explorers to discover. Skeletons, ghouls and painted wooden jack-o’-lanterns pop up along the trails, which cover about 6 miles. The playground, baseball field and basketball court at Bethel Community Park are adjacent to Tri-Valley Head Start on Dewey Street.
Earning college credit at St. Francis High School
Students travel several miles outside the neighborhood to attend school. East Bethel Elementary School receives a Niche grade of C-plus, and St. Francis Middle School is also rated C-plus. The B-minus-rated St. Francis High School participates in the Minnesota Bilingual Seals Program, allowing students to earn college credit for language proficiency. The city of Bethel should not be confused with Bethel University, a separate entity located nearly 30 miles away in St. Paul.
Traveling to nearby cities on Highway 65
Commuters can hop on state Highway 65, about a mile away, to start the 35-mile drive to Minneapolis. The highway also offers the most convenient route to Cambridge and health care services at Cambridge Medical Center, roughly 13 miles away. Retail and restaurant chains line the roadside 18 miles away in Blaine, and Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport is about 45 miles away. Although Bethel is a quiet community, Minnesota’s large white-tailed deer population poses a potential traffic hazard. “If you’ve never hit a deer, you’re one of the lucky ones. They just bounce right out of the ditch,” Berg says.
Beer, burgers and bingo in Bethel
From the log-cabin-style exterior to the custom-built knotty pine bar, The Dugout Bar & Grill brings rustic vibes. Locals stop by to shoot pool or play a round of bingo over burgers, steaks and prime rib. Across the street, Garphish Brewing Company pours an impressive selection of draft ales, lagers and IPAs. Seasonal fruits and veggies are available at Minnesota Fresh Farm, about 5 miles away. Nearby grocery options include King’s County Market, roughly 6 miles away in St. Francis. “We don’t have groceries here. You have to go over to St. Francis or north or south to Cambridge or Blaine,” Berg says.
Fire services provided by nearby St. Francis
According to Berg, the Bethel Fire Department has ceased operations due to staffing shortages. The city currently contracts with nearby St. Francis for fire services.
