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 person wearing a red jacket is cross-country skiing in a snow-covered forest. The sun is shining, casting a warm light on the snowy ground and trees. The forest is dense with tall, frosted trees, creating a serene winter scene.

Nature & Parks

Home >> Explore >> Play Outdoors >> Nature & Parks

Playgrounds and Trails

Take a break to stretch your legs and let the littles or pups play!

Enjoy playgrounds, peaceful walking trails and even spot some of Paul’s giant-sized footprints! Legend says this was Paul Bunyan’s playground and he definitely left his mark.

Three older adults sit on a wooden bench in a lush forest. They are wearing casual outdoor clothing and caps. Trees and greenery surround them, creating a serene atmosphere. A trail is visible in the background on the right.

Breezy Point

A city park entrance with a wooden sign surrounded by vibrant flowers and neatly trimmed bushes. The background features a gazebo and tall trees, with a sandy playground visible to the right.

Breezy Point City Park

At City Hall, Breezy Point

Softball field, playground, pavilion, basketball, volleyball and restrooms. Look for the Byway interpretive panel kiosk and read Paul’s tale of his seven axmen named Elmer and how they almost called this place “Elmer Point”. Find the Big Paul Bunyan footprints too!

A sign reading

Pelican Woods Cemetery and Nature Trail

Located on Ski Chalet Dr. off Cty. Rd. 11, Breezy Point, just north of the Breezy Point Police and Fire Dept

This twenty-two-acre cemetery, known for its beauty, has been adopted by area master gardeners. A half-mile nature trail offers a place for peaceful meditative walks through the property. The annual Butterfly Release at the Pelican Woods Cemetery and Nature Trail in mid-August features the release of more than one hundred monarch butterflies. Butterflies can be purchased for release at the Breezy Point City Hall.

Crosslake

People stand on a wooden walkway next to a river with a dam in the background. The dam has multiple spillways. The scene is surrounded by trees under a clear blue sky.

U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers Dam and Recreational Park

Located on Cty Rd. 3, Crosslake

(651) 290-5790

Shaded picnic area, grills, shelter and public restrooms. Canoe launch, boat launches, swimming areas, playground and fishing. Paved path-paralleling Route 66, going north from the campground to just north of Moonlight Bay. Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway Association Exhibit Room— a fun, historical Paul Bunyan collection, including a former world-record holding Paul Bunyan rag doll.

A large, single-story brick building with a brown roof sits under a blue sky with scattered clouds. Several cars are parked in a lot in front. Surrounding the building are green trees and neatly trimmed shrubs.

Crosslake Recreational Park & Community Center

Daggett-Pine and off Cty Rd 66

(218) 692-4271

Picnic shelter, playground, indoor gym, tennis courts and community recreational team sports programs during summer and outdoor skating & hockey rink during winter.

Community Center Hours

  • Monday to Thursday – 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Friday – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Saturday – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Sunday – 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Aerial view of a parking lot, a playground with slides and swings, and two buildings surrounded by trees and a sports field. Several cars are parked in marked spaces along the lot.

City of Crosslake Park

Follow CSAH 3 south of Crosslake, turning west onto County Rd. 103 for about a mile to this 37-acre tract on the shores of Cross Lake’s south bay.

This peaceful spot has a wide walking trail and rustic picnic area. Parking available.

Rollie Johnson Natural & Recreation Area

Big Island On Whitefish Lake. Primitive campsites, hiking trails & swim beach. Firewood is available free on the islands. Donations to Friends of Big Island can be deposited in the collection box at the island.

A wooden boardwalk winds through the marshy wetlands of the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway, with calm water on the left and dense green trees surrounding. The overcast sky lends a tranquil and serene atmosphere.

Uppgaard Wildlife Management Area

Co Rd 16, Crosslake, MN 56442

(218) 203-4323

Donated to the DNR by the Uppgaard family in 1987, this 110 acre tract has been specially landscaped to attract various wildlife from deer to butterflies.

Wide walking trails meander throughout the property and maps are available at the arched entry. There is no charge to enjoy this wildlife area.

Ideal Corners

A large wooden sign reads "Ideal Picnic & Recreation Area," bordered by a fence. Behind it, people enjoy a picnic amidst the green grass and vibrant autumn trees along the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway. A smaller support sign is below.

Ideal Community Center & Park

Cty Rd 16 & Butternut Point Rd

Pavilion, restrooms, softball diamond and children’s playground. Look for the Paul Bunyan footprints.

Jenkins

A person walks along a forest trail lined with tall trees under a clear blue sky. The leaves are in shades of orange and yellow, suggesting autumn. The ground is covered in fallen leaves, and the person uses walking sticks.

Veteran’s Memorial Park

Hwy 371 & Cty Rd 1, Jenkins, east side of road

Pavilion, children’s playground, picnic tables, restrooms. Look for Paul Bunyan footprints.

Pequot Lakes

Bobber Park

West side of Hwy 371, just north of post office

Big Paul chair, Ox statue, picnic tables & benches.

Paul M. Thiede Fire Tower Park

West side of CSAH 11, just east of the on ramps to Hwy 371

Historic Lookout Tower, interpreted walking trails, picnic tables & benches.

Sibley Lake Park

Sibley St & Pequot Blvd., Pequot Lakes, west of the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway route

Playground. Park pavilion. Boat access is on Grove Street.

Trailside Park

Between Hwy 371 & Government Dr, downtown Pequot Lakes

Chamber Information Center. Includes a Veteran’s Memorial, Dru’s Garden, Picnic Shelter, and a Trailside Park Gazebo. Look for the Paul Bunyan footprints.

Pine River

A wooden information sign for "Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway Gateway Gazebo" is in front of trees and a small gazebo. The sign features a cartoon lumberjack with an axe. The scene is outdoors, grassy, with tall trees and a road in the background.

Kater Park and Pine River Swimming area

218-587-4000

Barclay Ave. at the Pine River

Playground, log pavilion, picnic tables, and riffle dam. For more information, call the Pine River Chamber of Commerce.

Tall Tales

Paul Bunyan Lore

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.

Paul Bunyan & Babe spent many an hour playing and working on this beautiful land. For a more magical park experience, explore the ol’ tall tales of the area!

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Website Sponsors

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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.
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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
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Logo of Pine River Chamber of Commerce featuring a river with three ducks, surrounded by pine trees against a sunset gradient. Text reads
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