Meet the Locals: Thomas Bales & Anna Josephs 

By Heather Rule

Thomas and Anna Bales were in the market for some land to build a tiny house. During their search, they realized campgrounds were a way to fulfill their need. They ended up buying Swan Lake Resort & Campground in the Fergus Falls area and moved there in May 2021.

“Little did we know that we were going to be buying a fully functional, demanding business,” Thomas said.  “It’s forced us to put down roots and get in touch with local folks that are making things happen and that are supplying us and that are keeping the lights on for us.”

Thomas’ roots go back to Monticello, Minn. where he grew up before attending the University of Minnesota and living in Minneapolis, while Anna was born in upstate New York and has also lived in Chicago. Her grandparents are originally from the Kensington area in Minnesota. Anna never thought she’d end up in Minnesota, but she and Thomas met through work and the opportunity arose to move to an area only about 40 minutes away from her grandparents’ farm. It just felt right, Anna said.

It was the campground that really brought them to Otter Tail County.

“Fergus Falls wasn’t necessarily the magnet but has now become home,” Thomas said.

Thomas and Anna live in the primary residence year-round on the property. The resort has five two-bedroom cabins along with camping sites for RVs and tents for various lodging options. They’re open for business seasonally from May 1 to Oct. 1.

The resort has about 700 feet of lakeshore on Swan Lake for visitors to fish off docks, launch boats and enjoy the sandy beach. They added weekly volleyball games, nature walks, arts and crafts, and fitness activities for kids. They also bought “every yard game imaginable” from a volleyball net to ping pong and foosball, according to Thomas.

“We’re trying to promote active movement,” Anna said.

Since they arrived, they are also more involved in the community than they thought they would be. Anna hadn’t been to Fergus Falls previously, and she was surprised to see how much it’s growing and the excitement of those in the community.

“It just feels like it’s growing and it’s exciting and they’re on point with the trends that are happening, which is really refreshing to see for a small town,” Anna said.

They described the resort like a three-dimensional, 18-acre canvas. A lot of painting already exists, but there’s a lot more details to be added.

“It’s really special to us to be able to provide that lakeside experience to so many folks throughout the summer and just see them,” Anna said.