Guide
Trails, Bike Paths &
Outdoor Activities
The definitive guide to exploring the outdoors near Crosslake and the Whitefish Chain of Lakes. From paved bike paths and world-class mountain biking to pristine lakes and winter adventures, everything you need to plan your outdoor vacation is here.
Paved Paths
Bike Paths & Walking Trails
Crosslake is the birthplace of the Paul Bunyan Trail, and the paved path network here is exceptional. Whether you want a short family ride from your doorstep or a century tour through the northwoods, these trails deliver.
West Shore Drive Paved Path
Just minutes from 12388 Brookwood Circle, the West Shore Drive paved path is your closest trailhead. It runs along the west side of Cross Lake from CSAH 16 up to County Road 103, a beautifully maintained paved route for pedestrians and bicyclists that winds through woods and along the edge of small lakes before connecting to a marked road shoulder.
This is the kind of ride you do on a summer evening after dinner. The sun filtering through the pines, the lake glimmering through the trees, the loons calling from across the water. It is a scenic, easy ride right from the neighborhood with almost no traffic to contend with.
Crosslake City Trail
A 3.7-mile paved loop trail on Daggett Pine Road off CSAH 66. It rolls through classic northwoods terrain with gentle hills winding through the trees, passes Crosslake Park, the community playground, and the public library. It is a fantastic all-purpose trail used by walkers, runners, bikers, and in winter, cross-country skiers.
Locals consider this one moderately challenging for a paved loop -- those rolling hills add up by lap three. A single loop takes about 90 minutes at a leisurely walking pace or 20 minutes on a bike. The park and playground make it a natural stop for families with kids.
Paul Bunyan State Trail
Crosslake is where it all began.
The Paul Bunyan Trail is not just another paved path. At 120 miles, it is one of the longest rail-trails in the United States, and Crosslake is proud to be its birthplace. It travels through six communities -- from Brainerd in the south all the way up to Bemidji in the north -- passing along the shores of 21 lakes, crossing nine rivers and streams, and cutting through pristine pine forests and wild wetlands.
For someone staying at 12388 Brookwood Circle, the nearest access points are a short drive away. The trail is fully paved its entire length, perfectly flat (it is a converted railroad bed), and suitable for every kind of wheeled recreation: road bikes, hybrid bikes, recumbents, rollerblades, inline skates, strollers, and wheelchairs.
The section from Crosslake north to Hackensack is especially beautiful, hugging the shores of several small lakes and crossing the Pine River. If you have only one day to ride, do the 20-mile round trip from Crosslake to Hackensack and back. Stop at the Hackensack Mercantile for a sandwich.
Trail Quick Facts
Mountain Biking
Cuyuna Country: World-Class Singletrack 20 Minutes Away
If you came to Crosslake with a mountain bike, you are twenty minutes from one of the best trail systems in the Midwest. Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area is an IMBA Ride Center (one of fewer than 30 in the world), with over 70 miles of purpose-built singletrack winding through reclaimed iron mine quarries. The dirt is red gold, the water is turquoise, and the riding is unforgettable.
What Makes Cuyuna Special
- 70+ miles of singletrack, all within a 5,000-acre recreation area
- Red gold dirt -- the iron-rich soil is tacky when wet and smooth when dry, with unbelievable traction
- 30+ purpose-built routes from green to double-black diamond
- Turquoise mine lakes appear at every turn -- take a dip between laps
- Groomed fat biking trails in winter -- Cuyuna is a year-round destination
Recommended Routes
Sagamore (Adaptive): Klondyke + Blaster
4.3 miles
Mahnomen: Beginner Bicycle Skills Area
899 feet
Galloping Goose (Easy Street) Loop
6.2 miles
Scenic Mine Lake Tour
16 miles
The Scenic Mine Lake Tour is the quintessential Cuyuna experience -- 16 miles of flow trail around the Portsmouth Mine Pit, with jaw-dropping turquoise water views the whole way.
Getting to Cuyuna from Crosslake: Head south on County Road 3 / MN-210 for about 12 miles to Ironton, then follow signs to the Portsmouth Mine Pit area. The Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Crew maintains the trails and provides up-to-date condition reports. A state park vehicle permit is required ($7 day pass or $35 annual).
Hiking
Hiking & Nature Walks
When you want to trade wheels for boots, the area around Crosslake offers quiet trails through state forests, wildlife management areas, and scenic byways that showcase the best of northern Minnesota's natural landscape.
Uppgaard Wildlife Management Area
A quiet nature refuge just outside Crosslake with walking trails through mixed hardwood and pine forest. It is a prime spot for bird watching: look for loons on the small ponds, bald eagles overhead, white-tailed deer, and the occasional black bear. The trails are easy and well-marked, perfect for a morning walk with binoculars.
DNR PagePaul Bunyan Scenic Byway
A 115-mile scenic drive that traces the route of the Paul Bunyan Trail through the heart of the Brainerd Lakes area. It has multiple stops for hiking, walking, and exploring parks along the way. Especially spectacular during fall color season (late September to mid-October) when the maples and oaks turn the forests gold and crimson.
Pull-offs include lake accesses, picnic areas, and short interpretive trails. The byway connects to several Crow Wing County parks and forest roads worth exploring on foot.
Crow Wing County Trails
Crow Wing County maintains a network of trails through state forests and wildlife management areas. Scrub Oak Trail is a local favorite for a quiet hike through rolling oak savanna and pine stands. The county's trail system connects to the Paul Bunyan Trail at several points, creating longer loop options for hikers who want a full day out.
Crow Wing County ParksWildlife Viewing along the Byway
The area is home to an impressive concentration of wildlife. Common loons -- Minnesota's state bird -- nest on the chain's lakes and their haunting calls are part of every evening here. Bald eagles are a daily sight. White-tailed deer, beavers, otters, and the occasional moose or black bear inhabit the forests and wetlands. The National Loon Center on Cross Lake offers educational programs and guided wildlife walks.
National Loon CenterWater Activities
On the Whitefish Chain
Let's be honest: the water is why most people come here. The Whitefish Chain is 14 interconnected lakes spanning 13,000-plus acres, and every one of them is a playground. Whether you own a boat, rent one, or just want to wade in from a sandy beach, the chain delivers.
Boating & Watersports
Pontoon rentals are available at several marinas on the chain. Waterskiing, tubing, and wakeboarding are popular on the wider sections of Upper Whitefish and Cross Lake. The interconnected nature of the chain means you can explore for hours without ever leaving the water. Launch ramps are located at multiple public accesses around Cross Lake.
Kayaking & Paddleboarding
Paddle the chain at your own pace. Launch from the public access on Cross Lake and explore the quiet bays and narrows connecting the lakes. The crystal-clear mine lakes at Cuyuna are exceptional for paddleboarding -- the water is so clear you can see 20 feet down to the submerged quarry structures.
Fishing
The Whitefish Chain is renowned for walleye, northern pike, bass, and panfish. The Crosslake Dam is a popular year-round fishing spot -- cast from the shore or drop a line from a boat just below the dam. Ice fishing in winter draws anglers from across the state. Several local guides offer half-day and full-day trips.
Swimming Beaches
The Corp of Engineers Park beach on Cross Lake is the main public swimming area with sandy shoreline and lifeguard-supervised swimming in summer. Many resorts along the chain also maintain private beaches. The beach at the property itself is one of the nicest sandy beaches on the chain.
Scuba Diving
The flooded mine pits at Cuyuna offer some of the best freshwater diving in Minnesota. Visibility can exceed 30 feet, and divers explore submerged machinery, quarry walls, and the unique underwater landscape of a reclaimed iron mine. Certified divers only. Several shops in the Brainerd area rent gear.
Boat Rentals & Guides
Pontoon, fishing boat, kayak, and paddleboard rentals are available seasonally at multiple outlets around the chain. Local fishing guides operate out of Crosslake and the surrounding area. Reservations are recommended during peak summer weeks.
Winter
Winter Outdoor Activities
Crosslake does not go quiet when the snow flies. If anything, winter brings a different kind of energy to the chain. The lakes freeze solid, the trails get groomed, and the northwoods become a snowy playground.
Snowmobiling
Over 1,200 miles of groomed snowmobile trails crisscross the Brainerd Lakes area. The Paul Bunyan Trail is groomed for snowmobiles in winter and connects directly to Crosslake. From town, you can hop on the trail system and ride to Brainerd, Hackensack, or all the way to Bemidji. Trail maps are available at local gas stations and the Crosslake Chamber of Commerce.
The lakes themselves become snowmobile highways when the ice is thick enough. Crossing the Whitefish Chain on a sled in January with the snow flying is a memory that lasts a lifetime.
Cross-Country Skiing
The Paul Bunyan Trail and the Crosslake City Trail are both groomed for classic and skate skiing in winter. The flat grade of the Paul Bunyan Trail makes it ideal for beginners and recreational skiers, while the rolling hills of the Crosslake City Trail offer a better workout for more experienced skiers.
Cuyuna also grooms several of its mountain bike trails for cross-country skiing when conditions allow. The views of the snow-dusted mine pits are spectacular.
Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing requires no groomed trails and no special skill. Strap them on and head into the state forests, wildlife management areas, or right out your back door. Uppgaard Wildlife Management Area and the forests along the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway are excellent snowshoeing terrain. It is the quietest way to experience winter in the northwoods.
Ice Fishing
The Whitefish Chain is one of Minnesota's premier ice fishing destinations. When the ice hits 12 to 18 inches (usually by mid-December), the lake becomes a village of fish houses. Walleye, northern pike, and panfish keep anglers busy all winter.
Guided ice fishing trips are available from local outfitters who provide heated shelters, gear, and bait. The Crosslake Dam area is a popular ice fishing spot with easy shore access.
Fat Biking at Cuyuna
Cuyuna Country does not close for winter. The mountain bike trails are groomed for fat bikes, with specialized trail grooming that packs the snow into a firm, rideable surface. The experience of riding red-gold dirt under a blanket of white snow, past turquoise water steaming in the cold air, is something every cyclist should experience at least once. Fat bike rentals are available in the Brainerd and Crosby area.
Winter trail conditions are posted on the Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Crew website and social media channels.
More to Explore
Other Outdoor Activities
When you have covered the trails and the lakes, here is everything else the area offers for outdoor enthusiasts.
Golf
Whitefish Golf Club is an 18-hole championship course minutes from the property, with stunning lake views and a layout that challenges every skill level. Crosslake Golf Course offers a relaxed 9-hole experience. Several more courses are within a 30-minute drive.
Whitefish Golf ClubATV / OHV Riding
Over 1,200 miles of off-highway vehicle trails crisscross the Brainerd Lakes area. State forests and grant-in-aid trails offer scenic wilderness riding through pine forests, along ridges, and past lakes. Trail maps and permits are available at local outfitters.
Horseback Riding
Trail riding opportunities exist in nearby state forests, including the Foot Hills State Forest and the Pillsbury State Forest. Several stables and riding outfitters in the region offer guided trail rides through the northwoods.
Scenic Drives
The Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway (115 miles) is spectacular in every season. Fall color season (late September to mid-October) is transcendent: the hardwoods along the route turn brilliant shades of orange, red, and gold. Spring and summer offer lush green canopies, and winter transforms the route into a snowy wonderland.
Wildlife Viewing
The area is rich with wildlife year-round. Common loons, bald eagles, great blue herons, white-tailed deer, beavers, river otters, and black bears all inhabit the region. The National Loon Center on Cross Lake offers educational programs on loon conservation and wildlife viewing.
National Loon CenterPlan Your Season
Spring: Fishing opener, paddling, hiking. Summer: Boating, swimming, mountain biking, golf. Fall: Scenic drives, hiking, hunting, fishing. Winter: Ice fishing, snowmobiling, fat biking, skiing, snowshoeing. There is always something to do on the Whitefish Chain.
Resources
Trailheads & Helpful Links
Bookmark these links for trail conditions, maps, permits, and rental information. The local conditions change with the seasons, and these official sources have the most up-to-date information.
Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area
Official DNR page with maps, trail conditions, and fees.
Cuyuna Trails Map
Interactive trail maps for mountain biking and fat biking.
Paul Bunyan State Trail
Official DNR trail page with access points and conditions.
Crosslake City Trails
City of Crosslake parks and recreation info.
Whitefish Golf Club
18-hole championship golf course on the Whitefish Chain.
Crosslake Golf Course
9-hole public golf course in Crosslake.
National Loon Center
Educational programs and wildlife exhibits on Cross Lake.
Your Outdoor Adventure Starts Here
12388 Brookwood Circle puts you at the center of it all. Minutes from paved trails, twenty minutes from world-class mountain biking, and right on the shores of the Whitefish Chain. See it for yourself.