Your guide on where to eat, stay + play in the B.L.A this season.  

We're turning the corner to the most colorful time of year Up North. We've rounded up a list of the best spots to see the fall colors + places to stay + local bars and restaurants to hit to get the most out of the short Fall season. Check it out! 

CATCH THE COLORS

Paul M Thiede Fire Tower Park

PEQUOT LAKES, MN | 5230 COUNTY ROAD 11, PEQUOT LAKES, MN

Climb this historic 100 ft fire tower dating back to 1934 for some of the most picturesque views of Pequot Lakes - floods of color for miles make for some epic takeaways from this bird's-eye view. Walk their 3,000 feet of wooded walking trails through the woods before or after. The park is open year-round from dawn to dusk, with minimal maintenance (i.e. snow plowing) during the winter months. More info on the park here. 

Veteran's Trail

JENKINS, MN | CTY RD 16

An easy trail Walking trail and wetland walkway to the island - a 2.6-mile out-and-back wooded trail with wetland overviews, bog boardwalk, and easy elevation! 

Miner's Mountain Trail / Crosby Mine Pits

Crosby, MN 

The overlook at Miner's Mountain is the tallest point in the Cuyuna recreation area. Choose your view! Walk, hike bike or drive up to the overlook area directly for the highest views. This sits amongst miles of other biking and hiking trails and eight miles of paved Cuyuna Lakes State Trail and boasts some stunning aerial views of the mine pits and fall foliage.

The artificial lake is a former mining pit in the Cuyuna Range that has since filled with water - a beautiful viewing location!

Uppgaard Wildlife Management Area

IDEAL/CROSSLAKE | CTY RD 16

An easy wildlife viewing trail with a 1.6-mile loop and lots of peel-off routes that link back to the main trail amongst gently rolling wooded trails and marsh overlooks - takes about 35 minutes to complete! A great spot for a leisurely walk to take in nature and wildlife on well-maintained trails and multiple viewing spots. Ski trails open in the winter!

Fritz Loven Park

NISSWA, MN | 7877 RIDGE RD, LAKE SHORE, MN 56468

Family-friendly hiking trails, babbling brooks, and wildlife. This 80-acre park offers a great place for a picnic with a playground, restrooms, and trails for hiking - snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter. ​

To find Fritz Loven Park: From Highway 371 in Nisswa, go west on County Road 77 into Lake Shore to Cass County Road 78 at Bar Harbor. Go right on Cass County Road 78 and then right on Ridge Road. Ridge Road will take you right into the parking lot of Fritz Loven Park. More info about the park.

Mount Ski Gull 

 Nisswa, MN | 9898 County 77 SW, Nisswa, MN 56468

Though known for winter activities, Mount Ski Gull provides an unexpected opportunity for leaf peeping. Take a chairlift ride to the top of the hill, where you'll be treated to panoramic views of the fall foliage!

Pillsbury State Forest  

GULL LAKE/LAKE SHORE

Established in 1900, the Pillsbury state forest borders Gull Lake and Lake Shore; it encompasses 25,612 acres of state, county and private land. Heavily forested trails with small lakes, ponds and wildlife. Best for short hiking or horseback!

• 3 miles x-county skiing
• 1.2 miles hiking
• 27 miles horseback
• canoe/kayak
• fishing
• hunting

Bonus points: hit the lake for those reflecting color views!

GRAB A BITE + a bRew 

Don't forget to fuel your fall adventures. Here are our picks for a bite in the B.L.A! 

MN Traders Co. 

Pequot Lakes, MN | 31038 Government Dr, Pequot Lakes, MN 56472

The Snarky Loon Brewing Co. 

jenkins, MN | 33488 MN-371, Jenkins, MN 56472

Main Street Ale House 

Nisswa, MN | 25559 Main St, Nisswa, MN 56468

Big Axe Brewing Co. 

NISSWA, MN | 25435 Main St, Nisswa, MN 56468

Rafferty's Nisswa 

NISSWA, MN | 25457 Main St, Nisswa, MN 56468

Moonlite Bay 

Crosslake, MN | 37627 Co Rd 66, Crosslake, MN 56442

Zorbaz Crozz Lake

CROSSLAKE, MN | 36215 Co Rd 66, Crosslake, MN 56442

Cuyuna Brewing Co. 

Crosby, mn | 1 E Main St, Crosby, MN 56441

Rafferty's Crosby 

CROSBY, MN | 30 W Main St, Crosby, MN 56441

Iron Range Eatery  

CROSBY, MN | 6 W Main St, Crosby, MN 56441

Red Raven 

CROSBY, MN | 2 3rd Ave SW, Crosby, MN 56441

Hardwater Lounge 

CROSBY, MN | 110 W Main St, Crosby, MN 56441

Stay a while 

making a weekend out of it? We don't blame you. Here are some local vacation rentals we know and love.

SHADY PINES ON KIMBLE LAKE | NISSWA, MN 

Nestled amongst the pines on beautiful Kimble Lake (part of the Ossawinnamakee Lake chain), this up north retreat is the perfect spot for your next Northwoods vacation! Book Shady Pines here. 

5 PINES ON LAKE OSSAWINNAMAKEE | BREEZY POINT, MN

Located on the South shore of Lake Ossawinnamakee, this Northwoods lake cabin is close to all of the action. Use 5 Pines as a home base for your leaf-peeping adventures! Book your fall stay at 5 Pines here. 

THE GETAWAY | PEQUOT LAKES, MN 

Looking for an epic stay? Luxury meets Northwood's rustic charm on this private estate situated on 520 acres West of Pequot Lakes. This stunning property features a main lodge, guest cottage, and barn loft with enough beds to sleep 23 guests. Bring your large groups and enjoy the beautiful B.L.A. in style this fall! Book the Getaway here. 

THE LOONSTAR LODGE | CROSBY, MN 

On the shores of Rabbit Lake, just minutes from downtown Crosby and the Cuyuna Country State Recreational Area Trailhead. Enjoy up North lake life AND be just minutes from Crosby and one of the Brainerd Lakes Area's hottest outdoor recreational areas. Book Loonstar Lodge here. 

MODERN CABIN ON CREE BAY (on PELICAN LAKE) | PEQUOT LAKES, MN 

Located on Pelican Lake, the Modern Cabin on Cree Bay serves as the perfect home base while you're out and about. This property sleeps 4 and is an ideal option for a couples weekend! Book Cree Bay here. 

THE WHITEHOUSE ON THE WHITEFISH CHAIN | CROSSLAKE, MN 

Experience a fresh, modern take on heading “up north”. Return from your fall adventures to relax on the large lakeside deck, snuggle up infront of the gas fireplace, play some cards at the dining room table or bake a fall treat! Book the Whitehouse here. 

VALHALLA ON BASS LAKE | IDEAL TOWNSHIP, MN 

This relaxing cabin retreat is located on Bass Lake on the Ossawinnimakee Chain, between Crosslake & Pequot Lakes, MN. Valhalla has that quintessential up north cabin feel with knotty pine, hardwood floors, log accents and a hand-built stone fireplace for optimal coziness. Book Valhalla on Bass Lake here. 

LOVE LAKE MANOR ON LOVE LAKE | BRAINERD, MN 

Love Lake Manor is ideally located between Brainerd/Baxter and downtown Nisswa - close to all the modern-day conveniences of town in Brainerd/Baxter (like Costco, Target and more!) and equally close to all your favorite up north fall activities. Book your stay at Love Lake here. 

SUNSET BEACH ON ROUND LAKE | BRAINERD, MN 

Sunset Beach is the perfect location for your B.L.A. fall stay, conveniently located just 10 minutes south of downtown Nisswa. Enjoy gorgeous sunset views across the lake on the lakeside deck, relax on the sandy beach, or host a Friendsgiving in the beautiful kitchen! Book Sunset Beach here. 

- Happy color hunting!