Slide-Kids-Freebies

Free Kids Fun - Parks - Beaches - Trails - Brainerd MN

City Parks

The cities of Baxter and Brainerd have numerous city parks that are free and open to the public. Many of the parks have playground equipment, picnic tables, shelters and restrooms.

  • Bane Park
  • Buffalo Hills/Lions Park
  • Buster Dog Park
  • Gregory Park
  • Hitch Wayne Park
  • Jaycees Park
  • Kiwanis Park
  • Lum Park
  • Memorial Park/Brainerd Splash Pad
  • Mill Avenue Park
  • Mississippi Landing
  • O'Brien Park
  • Triangle Park
  • Gustafson Park

Find more information on Brainerd Lakes Area parks.


Disc Golf

A nine hole disc golf course was developed at Lum Park in 1997. Course maps and playing rules are available at the park office. There is no cost for use of this course. A fall tournament takes place in late September for all who are interested.

Central Lakes College is now the home of a nine hole disc golf course. Open to the public.


Public Beaches

Area Lake Information

  • Cater Park
    Barclay Avenue, Pine River
    Log pavilion, picnic tables & swimming beach (dam)
  • Gull Lake Recreational Area, U.S. Army Corp. of Engineers
    (218) 829-3334
    Located north on Hwy 371 to Cty Rd 125
    (Gull Lake Dam Road) at Gull Lake.
    Shaded picnic area, grills, shelter, fishing pier, playground, & sandy beach. Boat launch. Small fee required. Beach closes at 10 pm and no life guard on duty.
  • Hackensack Public Beach
  • Lum Park
    On Rice Lake 1 mile East of the East Brainerd Mall, Brainerd.
    Swimming beach, shelters, playground, fishing dock. Public launch. No lifeguard on duty. The city reserves the right to close beach in times of inclement or severe weather.
  • North Long Lake
    On Highway 371 North 7 miles north of Brainerd
    Swimming, boat launch, picnic area. No life guard.
  • Pelican Lake Beach
    North of Brainerd on Highway 25 to County Road 118
    Sandy beach, swimming, picnic tables.
  • Pillager Lake Park
    North of Pillager on Highway 1
    Fishing pier and beach with picnic area.
  • Pillsbury State Forest - Small fee required (218) 828-2565
    8 miles west of Brainerd on Highway 210.
    Hiking and horse trails, picnic areas, shelter, boat launch, swimming.
  • Serpent Lake Swimming Beach
    Off of Main Street, Deerwood
  • U.S. Army Corp. Of Engineers -Crosslake (218) 692-2025
    Located on Cty Rd. 3, Crosslake.
    Shaded picnic area, grills, shelter. Canoe launch, boat launches, swimming areas, playground and fishing.
    US Army Corps of Engineers – Gull Lake
    10867 East Gull Lake Drive, East Gull Lake
    Camping, picnic area and pavilion, playground, fishing piers, swimming beach, boat launch and interpretive sites.
  • Whipple Beach
    Located west on Highway 210 to Inglewood. Take a right onto Inglewood and continue North to Clearwater Road. Turn left and continue West on Clearwater Road until you reach the entrance and parking area for Whipple Beach.
    Swimming beach, fishing pier, public landing and boat ramp.

Find more detailed information on Brainerd Lakes Area beaches.


Paul Bunyan State Trail

  • The Paul Bunyan State Trail is a 110 mile trail that starts in Baxter and Ends in Bemidji. Access to the trail is free.

Indoor Playlands

  • McDonalds-Highway 210, Brainerd

Public Libraries

  • The Brainerd Public Library - 416 South Fifth Street, Brainerd, MN 56401, 829-5574
  • Kitchigami Regional Library - 403 Barclay Avenue, P.O. Box 84, Pine River, MN 56474