Brainerd, Minnesota
Brainerd was a Minnesota family lake trip in spring 2023 — we rented a charming lakeside cabin on Birchdale Road for a few nights with family, kids included.
Our experience
This is the heart of Minnesota's storied lakes country, a region that has defined the state's summer-cabin culture for generations. We came for exactly that: a dock, a lake, pine trees, and time with family away from the city.
For us it was all about the simple north-country pleasures — the water, the woods, and the unhurried days that make the Brainerd Lakes area a Minnesota institution.
The Brainerd Lakes area is surrounded by hundreds of lakes and has long been one of Minnesota's classic cabin-country destinations, with boating, fishing, biking, and family lake vacations at the center of the experience.
Must-sees and must-dos
- Brainerd Lakes Area — the broader lake-country region surrounding Brainerd, with resorts, cabins, recreation, and small towns.
- Gull Lake — one of the area's best-known recreational lakes for boating, fishing, and classic Minnesota lake life.
- Paul Bunyan Land — a classic Minnesota family attraction in the Brainerd Lakes area.
- Paul Bunyan State Trail — a paved recreation trail through Minnesota lake country, popular for biking and walking.
- Boating & fishing — two of the signature ways to enjoy the Brainerd Lakes in warmer weather.
- Nisswa — a nearby lake-country town for shops, restaurants, and a walkable small-town center.
Our pro tip
We've learned the Brainerd Lakes are best enjoyed as a cabin getaway — a lakeside place with a dock gives you the classic Minnesota experience, especially if you're traveling with family.
Cabins and lakefront stays can fill quickly during peak summer weekends, so we'd book ahead if your dates are fixed. A car is essential for getting between Brainerd, the lakes, Nisswa, and the surrounding attractions.
Pack bug spray for lake evenings, comfortable shoes, and layers for cooler mornings and nights.
If you prefer a hotel or resort stay, check The Lodge at Brainerd Lakes on Klook, a family-friendly option in the Brainerd Lakes area.
For another lake-country option, check Good Ol' Days Resort on Klook in nearby Nisswa.