Illustration of a blue and white bull holding a red sign with the text Ask Babe!! in white. The bull's head has prominent horns and a focused expression. The sign is on two white poles. The background is white.
Tall pine trees seen from below against a clear blue sky, their branches and needles creating a patterned silhouette. Sunlight filters through the foliage, highlighting the green leaves and textured bark.

Explore

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Explore the Lore

Come explore the storied Brainerd lakes area, or as we like to call it, Bunyan Country. 

A winding road curves through a lush, green landscape under a clear blue sky. A brown sign with an arrow points left, indicating the Uppgaard Wildlife Management Area. A smaller sign below features a cartoon figure.

Day Trips

Close-up of crispy battered fish fillets served on parchment paper with golden fries, a lemon wedge, and a sprig of parsley. A small bowl of tartar sauce is on the side. The dish is garnished with chopped herbs.

Where to Eat

A scenic river view shows several vintage wooden boats docked at a small marina. People are gathered on the dock, enjoying the display. Lush greenery surrounds the area, and a man walks along a paved path beside the water.

Events

Two men wearing white shirts stand near a green food truck. One, wearing a cap, operates the truck. The other smiles at the camera. An American flag is visible in the background, along with orange safety netting and trees.

About Us

A large wooden lodge building sits by a lake during sunset, with several boats docked at the marina. Many people are gathered near the waterfront, enjoying the scenic view. The sky is partly cloudy with a warm glow from the setting sun.

Lodging

A vintage photograph of eight people posed on and around an old steam locomotive. Some are seated while others stand, all dressed in early 20th-century attire, with men in overalls and hats, and women in long dresses and bonnets. Logs are piled nearby.

History

Close-up of a purple vervain plant with delicate lavender flowers sprouting from slender green stalks. The background is softly blurred, showcasing hints of green foliage and yellow hues.

Gardens & Exhibits

A bearded man in a plaid shirt and beanie sews at a machine in a cozy cabin. Ducks in plaid shirts line up in front of him. The cabin features hanging shirts, threads, and a window showing pine trees outside.

Tall Tales

Two women are smiling and posing together in a wooden cabin. One is holding a red gift bag tied with black ribbon. People sit at tables in the background, and a microphone is visible in the foreground.

Association News

A quiet, rural road with a small bridge in a wooded area. Yellow road markings line the asphalt, and there's a striped sign on the left. The area is surrounded by trees with green and yellow leaves under a clear blue sky.

Donate

Four people are gathered outdoors in a grassy area with trees in the background. An older man in a dark jacket is speaking while two people hold plaque-like objects. Another man, wearing sunglasses, stands nearby smiling.

Volunteer

Three elderly people sit on a wooden bench in a lush forest setting with birch trees in the background. They are dressed in casual outdoor clothing and hats, smiling, and holding walking sticks. A trail sign is partially visible to the left.

Contact Us

Play Outdoors

Fresh Air Awaits

Find breathtaking scenic beauty and endless outdoor activities year round.

A bicycle is parked in front of a sign reading

Biking

Three people are observing with binoculars near a stone plaque in a park setting. One person wears a black jacket and white cap, using binoculars. Trees and a wooden building are in the background on a cloudy day.

Birding

Sunset over a grassy landscape with a paved path. Tall pine trees are silhouetted against the vibrant sky, which transitions from deep blue to warm orange near the horizon. The scene is peaceful and serene.

Golf & Mini Golf

Close-up of a white trillium flower with large, bright green leaves against a blurred background of branches and sky.

Nature & Parks

Boats docked on a lake beside a lush, tree-covered shoreline. A wooden staircase leads up from the water to a sign with playful text, partially visible through the greenery. The sky is clear and blue, reflecting on the rippling water.

Swim & boat

A peaceful forest scene with a wooden bench on the left and a narrow dirt path winding through tall trees. Fallen pine needles cover the ground, and sunlight filters through the leaves, creating a serene atmosphere.

Walks & Hikes

A person in a red jacket cross-country skiing on a snowy trail through a forest. Bare trees, covered with snow, line the path under a clear sky, with sunlight filtering through the branches.

Winter

A small wooden gazebo stands next to a sign that reads

Day Trips

Website Sponsors

Logo with the word "Sourcewell" in blue-gray text next to a geometric design inspired by the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway. The design features gray and blue shapes with an orange triangle pointing right.

Dedicated to Service

The word "SWIM" appears in bold, block letters with a gradient blue to pink color fill, reminiscent of the vibrant scenery along the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway, all set on a transparent background.

Deep Creative. Powerful Strategy.

The image shows a logo with a star containing joined hands, a desk, and a person digging. Text reads "IDEAL COMMUNITY SERVICE ORGANIZATION" and "For a Better Community ICSO.

Invest in Today for a Better Tomorrow


Rod Nelson

Logo of Pequot Lakes Area Historical Society featuring a drawing of the Cole Memorial Building and Museum, constructed in 1937, near the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway. The text reads, "Remember the past, enrich the future..." Address: P.O. Box 493, Pequot Lakes, MN 56472-0493.
The image shows the Dairy Queen logo. It features the letters "DQ" in white on a red oval background, with a yellow swoosh at the top and a blue swoosh at the bottom.
Logo for Millner Estate Planning featuring the company's name in bold, dark blue lettering. Above the text, several stylized, downward-slanting blue lines suggest motion or progress, akin to the winding paths of the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway.

Association Partners

Logo of Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce featuring a stylized blue bull head above the text
Logo featuring the letters
Logo of Pine River Chamber of Commerce featuring a river with three ducks, surrounded by pine trees against a sunset gradient. Text reads
Red and white emblem with a castle icon at the top, followed by the text
Logo with stylized text reading
Text reading