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.
A man wearing a red plaid shirt, suspenders, and a green hat sits on a large wooden chair decorated with green shamrocks. He is smiling with arms outstretched. Surrounding trees have bare branches. The scene suggests a festive, outdoor event.

Day Trip

Fun on the Byway

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Your Adventure Begins Here

Explore endless recreational opportunities along the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway, from golfing and boating to exploring historic family resorts.

Golfing

A lush golf course with neatly trimmed grass, fairways, and greens surrounded by tall trees under a sky with soft, warm colors of sunset. The landscape features gentle hills and well-maintained paths.

Start the day with golf, before the heat of the day. Enjoy challenging golf at Whitebirch or one of the other Breezy Point Resort courses. Challenge yourself at the four and a half star Whitefish Golf Club located on CSAH 16. You might want to enjoy the new 18-hole Wildwedge Golf Course or practice your putting skills by playing miniature golf at Wildwedge’s Mini-Golf, both near AmericInn at the intersection of #16 and Hwy. 371.

Boating & Swimming

A man wearing glasses, a blue and green cap, and a white jacket sits in a boat on a calm lake. Trees are visible in the background, and the boat engine creates ripples in the water. The sky appears overcast.

Want to get out on the lakes? Stop at Your Boat Club on CSAH 66 or Bertha Marina on CSAH 16 for several options of watercraft rentals, then take off for fishing, swimming, or just enjoying the Whitefish Chain. Explore natural resource viewing sites like the horny head (aka redtail chub) minnow stream and a fish stripping station.

Or book yourself a tour on The Loon Pontoon. There are plenty of public access points along the Byway; at Bertha Lake, Clamshell Lake, Cross Lake, Trout Lake, Lower Hay Lake, Big Pine Lake, and Pelican Lake. 

If beaches and swimming are your cup of tea, spend the day at the Crosslake Corps of Engineers Recreation Area on Cross Lake, at the Rock Riffle Dam near Pine River, or boat to Big Island
in Whitefish Lake, part of the Rollie Johnson Natural and Recreation Area. Enjoy hiking, biking,
swimming, fishing, golfing, or just basking in the sun along the Byway.

East of CSAH 15 about 1/4 mile on the Driftwood Road is the DNR Walleye Stripping Station. Active from mid to late April, walleyes are intercepted in large nets as they enter the river to spawn. Eggs are manually expressed and fertilized on site and then moved to DNR holding areas where they’re grown to either fry or fingerlings before being released back into several Minnesota lakes, bolstering walleye populations. Travelers will be fascinated by the interesting fish management practice. Beware of Poison Ivy.

Timeless Family Resorts and Fishing Legends

A large wooden house with multiple gabled roofs and numerous windows, situated on a grassy lawn. It has several staircases leading to elevated decks. A small deer grazes in the yard, with trees surrounding the area under a clear blue sky.

Hay Lake Lodge: A Century of Stories

Once there were hundreds of family-owned resorts around the many area lakes. Those that have survived remain busy and active. All have colorful histories dating back to the early 1900s. Hay Lake Lodge, opened in 1911 as ViLu Resort and is now a private townhouse complex, featuring a 100-year old bell atop its current central building.

A rustic wooden cabin is surrounded by lush, green grass and tall trees under a partly cloudy sky. In front of the cabin, a stone circle encloses a seating area with several Adirondack chairs on the neatly manicured lawn.

Clamshell Beach Resort: The Legacy Lives On

Clamshell Beach Resort, built in the 1930’s was owned by famous Whitefish area fishing guides George and Rollie Johnson from 1941-1965. Boyd Lodge, owned by the same family since its beginnings in 1934 once raised mink for extra income. Black Pine Beach Resort, developed in 1939, was financed by a Nebraska banker who, it’s said, pounded a few nails himself in constructing the first cabins.

It now features the popular Secret Garden, known for its ‘elf notes’. Beacon Shores Resort was once called Beacon Heights and catered to Christian families that were also members of a group called the Red Sea Mission; the owners’ home doubled as the chapel. Bay View Lodge was a ribbon of pink cabins at one time during the 1970’s and 80’s before it was redone into the attractive spot it is today.

A large yellow inflatable water trampoline with a ladder is floating on a calm lake. A smaller red and yellow attached platform is beside it. In the background are wooden cabins, trees, and a stony shore.

Pine Terrace Resort: ​​A Quiet Escape

Pine Terrace Resort located on quiet Star Lake, was begun in the 1930’s. It’s a favorite spot for wildlife. Manhattan Beach Lodge was built in 1929 and was once a destination for the famous and infamous with ties to the gangster set of the 1930’s and Hollywood’s elite of later generations. Actor brothers James Arness and Peter Graves, popular in the 1960’s-1980’s, spent summer holidays at Oscawana Resort, built in 1926 and later known as Birch Hill Inne Bed and Breakfast. Heath’s Resort, begun by popular fishing guide, Lee Heath in 1938, is now renowned for its expansive sandy beach, secure swimming area and exhilarating water activities.  Famous artist, Les Kouba, created several popular paintings based on his fishing experiences at Heath’s Resort.

Want to do a little fishing yourself? Check with any family resort about renting a boat and motor. You might even get some hot tips on where to catch ’em!

Breezy Point Resort: Legendary Leisure

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.

Once owned by Captain Billy Fawcett of Whiz-Bang Comics fame, Breezy Point Resort also hosted the famous and infamous throughout its colorful history. Among the famous celebrities were Clark Gable and Carol Lombard who stayed at the Fawcett House (still located on the resort grounds). The original stone entrance gate was built by a local artisan man from the small nearby town of Pillager between 1925 and 1930.

Seek and Find Fun

Larger than life fun! Spot Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox statues, fun photo-ops, even Paul Bunyan’s footprints!

A child sits on a large blue ox statue with a saddle in a park. An adult stands nearby, holding a camera, appearing to take a photo. Trees with green leaves surround the area, and a building is visible in the background.
A wooden information kiosk with a shingled roof stands on a landscaped circular base with plants and a large stone. It displays colorful informational posters. In the background, there are trees and a road under a clear blue sky.

Find the Kiosks 

Tour 12 interpretive panel kiosks along the byway that’ll lead you through the lore of Bunyan Country and pick up a byway map or birdwatching brochure along the way.

Byway Maps

Get a birdseye view of the byway and surrounding areas. Locate interactive kiosks, bike lanes, Paul’s footprints, parks, trails, beaches and more!

Interactive Overlook Map
Printable Map

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