Benson’s on Lake Carlton opens in Morrison’s Rockwood State Park

MORRISON – A scenic dining destination in Morrison-Rockwood State Park is open for business once again.

Benson’s on Lake Carlton, in the rustic building on the lakeshore vacant since Rockwood Marina & Restaurant closed last year during the pandemic, opened May 25. Concessionaires Bud and Stephanie Benson also own and operate Benson’s on the Mississippi, at 108 S. Main St. in Albany.

Bud smokes all the restaurant’s meats; he specializes in hickory-smoked meats, fish, BBQ, and other traditional Midwest- and Southern-inspired dishes.

The Lake Carlton menu includes beef barbacoa (a form of cooking meat that originated in the Arawak-speaking Caribbean with the Taíno people, from which the term “barbecue” derives”), pulled chicken tacos, loaded nachos, grilled brats, hot dogs, sausages, and side salads.

There’s also a taco bar with various toppings, from fresh cilantro and onions to peppers and lime slices.

The first week went great, with many campers and locals taking advantage of the nice weather to try their first meal on the screened-in deck, manager Laurie Hollister said.

A craft soda machine and two more coolers are on order, with plans to offer a wider variety of food and drinks, Hollister said.

With the summer camping season commencing, the shop is stocked with hot food, ice cream, slushies, drinks, and other getaway essentials, from canned goods to lanterns, fishing gear to candy, plus bags of ice and firewood.

There’s also a wide selection of bait.

“It’s our favorite fishing spot, unbelievably there’s a lot of good fish here,” said Octavio Flores of Sterling, who stopped by Friday with Eustacio Diaz to buy worms.

In addition to the store and the restaurant, with its porch seating and view of the lake, the business offers canoe, kayak, pedal boat, and motorboat rentals, by the hour or in 4- or 8-hour blocks.

Benson’s on Lake Carlton, 18750 Lake Road, is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Call 815-772-9090, go to bensonsonlakecarlton.com or find it on Facebook for more information.