Explore the Best Parks in the Brainerd Lakes Area This Fall and Winter
When the air turns crisp and the leaves begin to glow, the Brainerd Lakes Area transforms into a landscape of color and calm. Our local parks are perfect places to soak in the beauty of fall or embrace the sparkle of winter. From lakeside trails to snow-covered forests, here are a few favorites in each community to explore this season.
Brainerd
Gregory Park
In autumn, Gregory Park’s towering maples turn brilliant shades of gold and red — making it one of Brainerd’s most photographed spots. Take a quiet walk under the canopy or stop by after a fresh snowfall to see the historic bandstand framed in white.
Lum Park
This park’s lakeshore views of Rice Lake are stunning any time of year. Watch migrating geese glide across the water in fall or snowshoe along the shoreline in winter. The stillness and scenery make it a peaceful escape within minutes of downtown Brainerd.
Baxter
Whipple Beach Recreation Area
While summer swimmers may be gone, Whipple Beach is a serene spot for watching sunsets and catching reflections of fiery fall trees on the lake. Once winter settles in, it’s a great place for a short snowy stroll with a thermos of cocoa in hand.
Oscar Kristofferson Park
With wide walking paths and open fields, this park is ideal for a brisk fall walk or trying out your cross-country skis when the snow falls. The tree-lined trails glow with color in October and sparkle with frost by December.
Pequot Lakes
Sibley Lake Park
Bring your camera — the reflections of fall color on Sibley Lake are breathtaking. Later in winter, the frozen shoreline and quiet woods offer a picture-perfect setting for a chilly walk or afternoon of ice fishing nearby.
Paul M. Thiede Fire Tower Park
Just east of Pequot Lakes, this Crow Wing County park is a must-visit in any season. In fall, climb the historic fire tower for panoramic views of the forest canopy painted in orange and gold. In winter, the trails are quiet and pristine — perfect for snowshoeing, photography, or simply taking in the hush of snow-covered pines.
*Fire Tower: Open seasonally, generally from May thru October.
*The park is open year-round from dawn to dusk, with minimal maintenance (i.e. snow plowing) during the winter months.
Crosslake
Crosslake Community Park
In fall, the mix of hardwoods and evergreens here is stunning. As snow falls, it becomes a postcard scene — perfect for sledding, snowshoeing, or simply taking in the peace and quiet of the season.
Crosby/Cuyuna
Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area
Biking through Crosby’s Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area in the fall means vibrant autumn colors, crisp temperatures, and scenic rides along the area’s signature red dirt trails and turquoise mine lakes.
Paul Bunyan Trail
If flat paved trails are more your speed, the Paul Bunyan Trail is for you. At 120 miles long, it’s the longest continually paved multiuse trail in Minnesota. It winds through some seriously pretty nature views. The trail goes from the Crow Wing State Park (you’ll see the Mississippi River) north to Bemidji. You can stop at Trailside Park in Pequot Lakes and take a pit stop. Plenty of green space to take a leisurely break. Or grab a bite to eat before you continue your biking route.
