Campers come to Brainerd, Minnesota, to enjoy the recreational opportunities at the dozens of lakes surrounding the town. The biggest lake in the area, the 6,143-acre North Long Lake, lies five minutes northeast of town. Crow Wing State Park lies adjacent to the Mississippi River, 10 miles southwest of town. Although winter temperatures can dip into the low teens, campers can stay at the state park as long as they can access the campsite by either hiking or driving to it.
Campgrounds
Crow Wing State Park welcomes campers with both tent and RV sites. Shade trees provide protection in the summer at 59 drive-in and 12 electric sites. Showers are available from mid-May through the end of September. Private campgrounds surround Brainerd. The Hidden Paradise Resort sits on North Long Lake and offers accommodations to tent and RV campers.
Hiking and Biking
Outdoor enthusiasts bike, hike and roller blade on the 110-mile paved Paul Bunyan Trail. Campers can catch the trail at Brainerd and rent bikes in town or bring their own. The terrain ranges from flat to hilly but is rated as easy for beginners. At the state park, campers access the Mississippi River trails. There are 18 miles of trails that meander through the Old Crow Wing town site along the river.
Canoeing and Kayaking
In Brainerd, campers can rent canoes and kayaks. Rice Lake offers a secluded camping experience for canoeists who paddle across the lake to a canoe campsite. On the Mississippi or on North Long Lake, canoeists and kayakers can put in and spend the day paddling. More than 4,000 river miles allow canoeing and kayaking on the 31 state water trails.
Fishing
Anglers can cast a line in at more than 20 lakes within 10 miles of Brainerd. At North Long Lake they fish for walleyes, northern pike, bass, sun fish and crappies. The lake is stocked yearly. The private campground rents boats, or fishermen can bring their own. Fishermen also fish in the Mississippi River at the state park, which they access from the shore or by boat. Boats can be driven into the park, but need to be carried into the river. Boat and canoe rentals are available at the state park office.
Winter Activities
Campers gather at the state park for winter activities. There are 6 miles of easy to intermediate groomed cross-country ski trails and snowmobiling trails. Visitors can snowshoe anywhere in the park, except on the groomed ski trails. In winter the Paul Bunyan trail is open to snowmobilers.
Member Comments