SCENIC FALL COLOR DRIVES

Try our fall color route suggestions below and enjoy the beauty that fall brings to the Brainerd Lakes Area. In addition to taking in the beautiful scenery, be sure to stop a local restaurants and shops along the way.

Click on a map image to view the described route.

Gull Lake: Enjoy a drive around popular Gull Lake. Located only minutes north of Brainerd/Baxter, this 38-mile tour winds around the largest lake of this chain and travels by every size of classic Minnesota resorts, as well as championship golf courses, and restaurants that range from casual to fine dining. Be sure to dream about living on one of the areas most beautiful homes (located along this route), too.

Directions: From Brainerd/Baxter, take Hwy 371 N to County Rd 77, or Pine Beach Rd. Turn left. This road will travel west, then north, finally heading east around the lake and ending back on 371 N, just south of downtown Nisswa.

> VIEW MAP

Side trip: Pillsbury State Forest Just off County Rd 77 Minnesota’s oldest state forest proudly awaits visitors. From County Rd 77 turn left onto Beauty Lake Drive and into this majestic forest. You may be enticed to unbuckle your seatbelt and participate in the season on foot. This area is a great place to get out and stretch your legs.

Round Lake: Round lake is located north of Brainerd/Baxter, just east of Hwy 371. This 20-mile tour will not only take you around this quaint residential area, but also the nearby Gladstone and Little Huber Lakes. This trip offers a “locals” look at the Brainerd Lakes Area.

Directions: From Brainerd/Baxter, take Hwy 371 N 12 miles to county rd 127, or Ojibwa Rd. Turn right. Travel east on this road. Continue north, veering on to County Rd 115. This will loop you around the lake, then heading west back to 371 N. >VIEW MAP

Pillager to Randall: This southern route travels along the western edge of the Camp Ripley Military Reservation and Game Refuge. Enjoy miles of wildlife and nature at it’s best.

Directions: From Brainerd/Baxter, take Hwy 210 west to Pillager. Turn left onto County Rd 1 and follow for about 10 miles. Then turn right onto County Rd 203/1 and head west for 2 miles. Take a left, continuing on County Rd 1, ending in Randall. >VIEW MAP

Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway: This nationally-designated scenic drive offers great recreational, educational, historical, cultural, and archaeological resources. Traveling around and through the Whitefish Chain of lakes, this 54-mile route becomes even more spectacular. Through the three loops of this tour you can view retail communities, a wide variety of lodging options, and very diverse environments.

Directions: From Brainerd/Baxter, take Hwy 371 N to Pequot Lakes. Turn right at the stoplight onto County Rd 11. Travel east on this road to County Rd 4. Travel north and around Pelican Lake to County Rd 3. Travel north on County Rd 3 through Crosslake (which turns into County Rd 66 in Crosslake), to County Rd 16. Turn left onto County Rd 16 and travel west back to Hwy 371. For the upper loop, continue north Hwy 371 to Jenkins. In Jenkins, turn right onto County Rd 15. Take this road north. It will offer a few turns. At the intersection of County Rd 15 and County Rd 1, turn right. Take this road east to Manhattan Beach. There, you will turn right onto County Rd 66 and head south back down to Crosslake. (A special map is available at the Chamber for this route, including the extension of the byway in to Pine River.) > VIEW MAP

Brainerd to Breezy Point: Stimulate your senses with this scenic trip to Breezy Point. The colors are vivid and the scenery amazing. Follow this country road system through it’s winding bends and curves. Stop in the quaint town of Merrifield on you way. Or check out the many resorts that are dabbled throughout the trip. Who knows, you may find your dream vacation just waiting for you to come and visit!

Directions: From Brainerd/Baxter, head north at the stoplights near the East Brainerd Mall (at the junction of Hwy 210 and County Rd 3). Keep traveling north approximately 11 miles (driving through Merrifield). Stay left and continue north on County Rd 4. You will travel through some winding bends, view several lakes and will eventually end up in the town of Breezy Point. > VIEW MAP

Crosby to Pequot Lakes: The landscape on this route is simply beautiful. Amongst the coniferous and deciduous trees you will see a landscape that is just as diverse. There are hills and plains, woods and open fields – something for everyone. You will travel through the Cuyuna State Recreational Area and portions of the Crow Wing State Forest. Not to mention all the natural wildlife you will see scampering about.

Directions: From Brainerd/Baxter, take Hwy 210 northeast to Crosby. On Hwy 210 in Crosby, go straight at the four way stop sign and head north on County Rd 6 for about 6 miles. Then, turn left onto County Road 11. Continue on County Rd 11 (which will head northwest then west around Pelican Lake) with will eventually end in Pequot Lakes. > VIEW MAP

North Side of Mille Lacs Lake: Once in Garrison, head north on Hwy 18 to experience a wonderland of sights and smells. Nothing is better than traveling along the north side of Lake Mille Lacs and driving under a canopy of color with the lake still in sight.

Directions: Take Hwy 18 east for about 20 miles to Garrison. Take a left on Hwy 169/18. Head north until Hwy 18 splits to the right. Stay on Hwy 18. This will bring you around the north side of the lake. Stay on Hwy 18 around the lake to County Rd 27 follow to Hwy 169. Head north back to Garrison.> VIEW MAP