Discover Pine River’s Beauty and History

This day trip offers a blend of history, natural beauty, and small-town experiences along a six-mile stretch of the byway that passes through the charming town of Pine River. 

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A Glimpse into Pine River’s Past

Pine River is the northernmost of Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway’s four gateways. Visitors can travel along a six-mile segment of the byway that passes through Pine River. Added to the byway system in 2002, it begins and/or ends at the junction of CSAH 1 and CSAH 15 and travels to the community of Pine River.

Historic Waters 

The Pine River waterway begins its journey to the Mississippi approximately twenty miles northwest of Pine River. Over the centuries, Native Americans and explorers, looking for the source of the Mississippi, have plied its waters. Modern-day explorers paddle their canoes along the State designated canoe route. 

Rich Timber

During the logging era of the mid-to-late 1800s, thousands of board feet of timber were floated down the Pine to waiting lumber mills to the south. The Pine River area was once described as “having the richest stand of timber in the Old Northwest“. The Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway crosses the “Pine” in the City of Pine River and also at milepost 2.3 on County Road 15. You can still launch a canoe where explorers and lumber barons once made camp.

Murder Mystery  

George Angus Barclay, the founder, established Pine River in 1873, building Barclay’s Trading Post, which rested on the shores of the Pine River. He bought, sold and traded goods with trappers, homesteaders, Native Americans and others who came to this part of Minnesota. Eventually, Barclay built a large hotel in Pine River. 

It was in that hotel that he met his end when someone shot and killed him as he sat at a table inside. The murderer was never found and the case remains open today. The hotel has since burned to the ground.

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Experience Pine River Today

Downtown Charm

Many interesting and unique stores line the streets in Pine River today! Visit gift shops and florists. You’ll find gift and antique shops, quilt shops, a health food store and plenty of businesses to take care of your every need. Take your pick of small-town cafes and eateries such as the Pine River Bakery, a true bakery featuring fresh baked goods daily or grab some lunch at Bites Pub & Grub. 

For all you fixer-upper folks who like to shop, there’s Gardiner’s Hardware & Furniture which is so much more than an old-fashioned hardware store.  And for those interested in planetary resilience and sustainability, make the short hop to the extraordinary Happy Dancing Turtle, located on the west side of town. Pine River has always prided itself on being a year-round, full-service community where you can purchase anything from a can of peas to a new car and you’ll find fun and excitement are part of the retail picture in Pine River all year long.

Visitor Center 

The Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway begins in Pine River at the Pine River Information Center, a State of Minnesota Affiliate Information Center. Stop by this log building for a look at many historic displays all kinds of area and regional information. The info center is located at the intersection of Highway 371 and Barclay Avenue in Pine River.

Paul Bunyan State Trail 

While in Pine River, lore fans can explore the Paul Bunyan State Trail. There is a parking area located at 102 Barclay Ave where visitors can access the paved trail. 

Paul Bunyan’s Marbles

Traveling east out of Pine River on CSAH 1 watch for a huge boulder field on the north side of the highway. Some say these are Paul Bunyan’s marbles. Others know that they were left by one of many glaciers that passed through this part of Minnesota eons ago.

Choose Your Adventure

At CSAH 15, choose that leg of the route or continue on #1 east to Crosslake, Breezy Point, Ideal Corners and Pequot Lakes. No matter which direction you choose, you’ll find surprises around every bend and lots of fun stops along the way.