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Public Beaches and Parks in the Brainerd Lakes Area
![Photo of people swimming and biking at Whipple Beach with a lawn in the foreground and lake in the background on an early fall day.](https://explorebrainerdlakes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/WhippleBeach_BrainerdDispatch_V01.jpg)
No matter where you are in the Brainerd Lakes Area, you will find yourself close to a public beach and park. Easy access to these public spaces is a perk of living and vacationing in the BLA. Find a list of public beaches and their amenities below!
Crosby Memorial Park
2 2nd St SW, Crosby, MN 56441
In the heart of Crosby and on the banks of Serpent Lake, you’ll find the Crosby Memorial Park. The giant serpent, Kahnah’ bek, has watched over the park since 1977. The 20 ft serpent makes for a great photo backdrop. Kids will love the large wooden playset—perfect place to burn off some energy! There’s a nice swimming beach, too, for lots of fun-in-the-sun.
Campsites are available for tents and RVs. This is a busy campground with lots of hustle and bustle from downtown. You can easily walk or ride bike to restaurants and shops, plus the Cuyuna bike trails.
![Crosby Memorial Park on a summer day picnic area and pavillions in the background](https://explorebrainerdlakes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/CrosbyMemorialPark_CityOfCrosby_02-copy-1024x683.jpg)
![Crosby Memorial Park on a summer day with lake in the background](https://explorebrainerdlakes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/CrosbyMemorialPark_CityOfCrosby_01-copy.jpg)
![Crosby Memorial Park on a summer day picnic area and lake in the background](https://explorebrainerdlakes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/CrosbyMemorialPark_CityOfCrosby_03-1024x819.jpg)
Amenities
- Sandy beach
- Picnic tables and benches
- Boat launch
- Camping
- Cook shack rental
- Skateboard park
- Playground
- Restrooms
Cross Lake Recreation Area
35507 County Road 66, Crosslake, MN 56442
The Cross Lake Recreation Area is a picturesque recreation area in one of central Minnesota’s most popular cities—Crosslake.
The campground is well-maintained and located on the shores of the Whitefish Chain of Lakes, which connects 14 lakes and are controlled by the Pine River dam at the Campground.
When you’re in the campground, you would never guess you’re in walking or biking distance from great restaurants, shops, and golf.
If you’re not camping, you can still enjoy the recreation area for the day. Swim at the beach. Walk across the dam. Play at the playground. Check out the interpretive programs. Fish from the dock. It’s all here for the perfect summer day!
![Photo of a park next to a lake on a summer day with a covered pavillion in the background and a long dock in the water of the lake](https://explorebrainerdlakes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/CrossLake-RecreationArea_Recreation.gov_V01-1024x577.jpg)
![Photo of a truck and a large RV parked in a camping site surrounded by pine trees at the Cross Lake Recreation Area.](https://explorebrainerdlakes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/CrossLake-RecreationArea_Recreation.gov_V04.jpg)
![Photo of the interprative learning center entrance with a mosaic at the Crosslake Recreation Area](https://explorebrainerdlakes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/CrossLake-RecreationArea_Recreation.gov_V02.jpg)
![1080x648 water rushing from a dam in Crosslake](https://explorebrainerdlakes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Crosslake-Dam-1024x614.jpg)
Amenities
- Sandy beach
- Restrooms
- Playground
- Fishing
- Pavilion
- Interpretive programs
- Biking
- Camping
- Boat launch
Gull Lake Recreation Area
10867 E Gull Lake Drive, Brainerd, MN 56401
Gull Lake Recreation Area offers something for everyone with a boat launch, hiking, fishing, and swimming.
The campground offers well-spaced sites. Near the campground is a playground and the Gull River at the outlet of Gull Lake. The platforms on the river offer great fishing!
The beach area is a short distance from the campground and is open to the public for day use. There is a roped-off swim area, sandy beach, and grassy area with picnic tables for families to enjoy.
![Photo of a park filled with people on a summer day next to a lake with trees and a playground.](https://explorebrainerdlakes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/GullLake-RecreationArea_CityOfEastGullLake_V02.jpg)
![Photo of a boat launch at the Gull Lake Recreation Area on a summer day with two docks in the water.](https://explorebrainerdlakes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/GullLake-RecreationArea_USArmyCorpsOfEngineers_V01.jpg)
Amenities
- Sandy beach
- Restrooms
- Boat launch
- Biking and hiking trails
- Picnic tables
- Playground
- Camping
- Fishing
Lum Park
1619 NE Washington St, Brainerd, MN 56401
Lum Park Recreation Area is an excellent family destination for camping, fishing, outdoor activities, and swimming. Lum Park is on Rice Lake, which is a reservoir off the Mississippi River.
Lum Park is just a short drive from the hotels in Brainerd/Baxter, which means you can easily access the water while staying in town.
The campground is a perfect place to enjoy the best of what Brainerd/Baxter has to offer.
![Photo of two children climbing monkey bars at Lum Park with a lake and a playground in the background on a summer day.](https://explorebrainerdlakes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/LumPark_HappyDancingTurtle_V01.jpg)
![Photo of a sign that says Lum Park Camping on a summer day with trees in the background.](https://explorebrainerdlakes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/LumPark_CityOfBrainerd_V01-copy.jpg)
![Photo of children swimming in a lake on a summer day with a far shore of forest](https://explorebrainerdlakes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/LumPark_CityOfBrainerd_V02-copy.jpg)
Amenities
- Sandy beach
- Disc golf
- Pavilions
- Boat Launch
- Playground
- Picnic tables
- Restrooms
- Camping
- Fishing
- Sand volleyball courts
Pillager Lake Recreation Area
12170 County Rd 1 SW, Pillager, MN 56473
You’ll find the Pillager Lake Park on Pillager Lake west on Hwy 210, then north two miles on County Road 1. This quiet park is a great place to soak up some nature. The beach is clean and sandy for kids to swim. The pier even has a small slide that goes it to the water!
Pack a lunch or bring food to grill and use the pavilion. Kids can also play at the playground. Your family will enjoy spending an afternoon here!
![Sign that says Pillager Lake Recreation Area with a wooded park and playground in the background on a sunny summer day](https://explorebrainerdlakes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/PillagerLakeRecreationArea_V06-1024x683.jpg)
![Fishing peir going into Pillager Lake with the lake and forest in the background on a sunny summer day](https://explorebrainerdlakes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/PillagerLakeRecreationArea_V03-1024x683.jpg)
![Playground in a park next to a lake in the background surrounded by forest on a sunny summer day](https://explorebrainerdlakes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/PillagerLakeRecreationArea_V02-1024x683.jpg)
![A Sandy swimming beach with a park in the background surrounded by forest on a sunny summer day](https://explorebrainerdlakes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/PillagerLakeRecreationArea_V07-1024x683.jpg)
![Sandy beach with the lake surrounded by forest on a sunny summer day](https://explorebrainerdlakes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/PillagerLakeRecreationArea_V05-1024x683.jpg)
![Pavillion shelter at Pillager Lakes Recreation Area on a sunny summer day](https://explorebrainerdlakes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/PillagerLakeRecreationArea_V01-1024x683.jpg)
![Photo of a yellow slide going into a lake on a summer day with forest in the background](https://explorebrainerdlakes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/PillagerLakeRecreationArea_V08-1024x683.jpg)
![Sandy beach next to a lake with a fishing peir in the background and the lake surrounded by forest on a sunny summer day](https://explorebrainerdlakes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/PillagerLakeRecreationArea_V04-1024x683.jpg)
Amenities
- Sandy beach
- Pavilions
- Boat Launch
- Playground
- Picnic tables
- Fishing pier
- Vault toilets
Whipple Beach Recreation Area
14441 Oakwood Drive, Baxter, MN 56425
A visit to Whipple Beach is a great place to spend the afternoon. Whipple Beach Recreation Area is a public park and beach close to Brainerd/Baxter hotels. The recreation area is in the perfect location if you’re staying in Brainerd/Baxter.
You’ll find an excellent sandy beach perfect for kids to swim and build sandcastles.
You can rent the pavilion for celebrations and gatherings. The pavilion has a kitchen you can use if you rent the pavilion.
![Photo of people swimming and biking at Whipple Beach with a lawn in the foreground and lake in the background on an early fall day.](https://explorebrainerdlakes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/WhippleBeach_BrainerdDispatch_V01.jpg)
![Photo of people swimming and relaxing at Whipple Beach with a lawn in the foreground and lake in the background and picnic benches and tables in the foreground on an early fall day.](https://explorebrainerdlakes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/WhippleBeach_BrainerdDispatch_V04.jpg)
![Photo of people and a dog swimming and playing in the lake at Whipple Beach on a summer day.](https://explorebrainerdlakes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/WhippleBeach_BrainerdDispatch_V03.jpg)
![Photo of Whipple Lake Recreation Area sign with a park and lake in the background on a sunny fall day.](https://explorebrainerdlakes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/WhippleBeach_BrainerdDispatch_V02.jpg)
![Photo of a picnic shelter and lawns with a lake in the background and trees at Whipple Beach on a bright summer day.](https://explorebrainerdlakes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/WhippleBeach_CityOfBaxter_V01-copy-1024x683.jpg)
Amenities
- Sandy beach
- Pavilions
- Playground
- Picnic tables
- Fishing pier
- Restrooms
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