Baxter

Baxter offers several starting points for nature-focused outings: trails in a large arboretum, a public beach with a fishing pier, and a park near a large open-space property at the headwaters of the Mississippi River. If you’re looking for a vacation rental in Baxter, you can plan your trip around whichever of these experiences interests you most: hiking, time at the beach, or the Mississippi landscape.

Trails and Wildlife at the Northland Arboretum

The Northland Arboretum has more than 400 acres of land and 12 miles of trails. The acreage indicates the size of the land; the mileage gives a specific sense of the extent of the trails. This gives the arboretum a different focus from a single viewpoint or a beach: its appeal centers on expansive grounds and trails for hiking. If being active in nature is important to your stay, the Northland Arboretum is a good starting point as you plan your outings.

The natural setting also includes hundreds of acres of protected Minnesota habitats maintained by the Northland Arboretum. These habitats are home to a variety of wildlife, including bald eagles and otters. The protected habitats and the wildlife mentioned give the arboretum a distinctive nature-focused appeal beyond the length of its trails alone. For families who like to include nature and activity in their trip planning, these two aspects can be considered separately: the trails as an active option and the wildlife as an additional attraction.

Beach, Fishing Pier, and Paved Trails

Whipple Beach Recreational Area has a public beach with no lifeguard on duty. This is worth keeping in mind when planning a beach visit, especially if you’re traveling with children. The area also has a fishing pier and paved trails. So, in addition to the beach, there are other specific ways to spend time in the area: fishing from the pier or using the paved trails. The trails are described as paved, while the beach is explicitly public. These are distinct features you can consider when choosing your outings.

Mississippi River Overlook Park and Open-Space Property

The existing Mississippi River Overlook Park is at the southeastern corner of an 880-acre open-space property in southwest Baxter. The 880 acres refers to the property, not the park. The property has river frontage at the headwaters of the Mississippi River. This place therefore brings together two clearly identified geographic features: the park’s location at one corner of the property and the property’s river frontage at the headwaters. The Mississippi is the main focus here, while the arboretum is characterized by its trails and protected habitats.

Other places you can include in your trip planning separately are Nisswa, Merrifield, Deerwood, Brainerd, and Pequot Lakes.

For the broader travel overview: Crow Wing County.