Crow Wing County: Discover Lakes, Trails, and Nature

Crow Wing County combines a distinctive lake landscape with hiking trails, natural areas, cycling routes, and historic attractions. A good starting point for understanding this diversity is the 54-mile Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway. The route leads through Crow Wing and Cass Counties and connects hiking and walking trails, recreation parks, lakes, wildlife management areas, and historic artifacts. When searching for a vacation rental or vacation home, it is therefore worthwhile to first determine your preferred travel focus: water, nature observation, active days, or history.

Lakes, Islands, and Trails by the Water

At Little Emily Lake Park, several water-based experiences can be combined. The park features a 150-foot-wide swimming beach, a fishing pier, a canoe and kayak launch, and 3.25 miles of non-motorized walking trails. This allows you to complement a day by the water with a walk without limiting the itinerary to a single activity.

The Rollie Johnson Natural and Recreational Area consists of three publicly accessible islands in Upper Whitefish Lake. The Portage Lake Trail offers a different perspective on the landscape: the hike leads to a viewpoint high above nearby Gillespie Lake and includes rest stations for canoes and kayaks. Portage Lake provides habitat for several nesting loons and other wildlife. Those who enjoy hiking while also paying attention to the natural surroundings will find a special reason here to view the trail not merely as a route, but also as a nature experience.

Hiking, Winter, and Nature Knowledge

The Poor Farm Wildlife Management Area offers nearly 320 acres for peaceful days in nature, managed for wildlife and forest resources. Motorized vehicles are prohibited on the Hunter-Hiker Trails in Crow Wing County. In winter, the natural, ungroomed trails are suitable for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. This provides a clear choice for travelers who want to spend time outdoors even during the cold season.

The Northland Arboretum covers more than 400 acres of land and offers 12 miles of hiking trails. Opportunities are available there for birdwatching, hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. The arboretum also offers conservation and nature courses, such as tree identification, sustainable agriculture, and healthy eating. Protected habitats include wetlands, a red pine plantation, the Whiskey Creek watershed, and a jack pine forest that is one of only five such forests in Minnesota.

Cycling and Historic Traces

Crow Wing State Park is located at the confluence of the Crow Wing River and the Mississippi River. A 6.2-mile paved section of the Paul Bunyan State Trail runs through the park and can be traveled by bicycle or walked. When choosing your accommodation, this distinction between days spent by the water and in nature on the one hand and a planned cycling tour on the other can provide useful guidance.

The Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area covers 5,000 acres and is largely undeveloped. More than 50 miles of its singletrack routes, with varying levels of difficulty, are groomed for fat biking in winter. Those interested in culture can visit a museum at Croft Mine Historical Park, which is part of the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area, and take guided tours through part of the mine. The Crow Wing County Historical Society Museum is located in a former jail, has three exhibition levels, and offers tours of the sheriff’s residence.

The Right Base for Your Trip

It is best to choose a vacation rental or vacation home in Crow Wing County based on the character of your planned days. Those who want to combine water, walking trails, and wildlife observation can focus on the lakes and natural areas. For summer cycling or winter fat biking, the documented routes of the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area and the Paul Bunyan State Trail provide interesting reference points. Those who prefer to combine nature with history can include museums, mining history, and Crow Wing State Park in their personal plans.

Arrival can also be taken into consideration: Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport (BRD) offers daily Delta air service operated by SkyWest, nonstop connections to and from Brainerd, and free parking. Crow Wing State Park also has a campground with sites that have electrical hookups and a modern shower building.

Additional Local Pages for Orientation

For further trip planning, you can also visit the pages for Merrifield, Brainerd, Pequot Lakes, Nisswa, Baxter, and Deerwood. Additional regional starting points include Kanabec County and Stearns County.

For the higher-level travel overview: Minnesota.