Crow Wing district, Minnesota, United States

Places to visit near Brainerd

Brainerd is a town in Crow Wing district, Minnesota, United States, home to about 13,371 people. Within 50 km by road there are 70 places to visit — 32 lakes, dams & reservoirs, 5 churches, 12 forts & heritage and 6 museums. The must-see places are Bane Park (3 km), Northland Arboretum (3 km) and Whipple Beach Recreational Area (10 km).

Updated · Distances are road estimates · Open Brainerd on the map

Brainerd, Minnesota
Brainerd, Crow Wing district, Minnesota, United States. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Brainerd at a glance

Location
Crow Wing district, Minnesota, United States
Population
about 13,371
Coordinates
46.3580° N, 94.2008° W
Places within 50 km
70 (33 must-see)
Best time to visit
August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open for lakes, dams & reservoirs; October to February for forts & heritage; year-round for churches and museums

Top places to visit near Brainerd

Ranked by how worth the drive they are from Brainerd: must-see places and the closest well-loved spots first. Open a place for photos, today’s visitor status, timings and directions.

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Things to see near Brainerd, by type

Lakes, dams & reservoirs near Brainerd

119 lakes, dams & reservoirs within 100 km of Brainerd. The closest is Whipple Beach Recreational Area (10 km). Best time: august to december when reservoirs are full and gates may open.

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Churches near Brainerd

21 churches within 100 km of Brainerd. The closest is Faith Baptist Church (3 km). Best time: year-round.

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Forts & heritage near Brainerd

19 forts & heritage within 100 km of Brainerd. The closest is Brainerd Water Tower (1 km). Best time: october to february.

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Museums near Brainerd

12 museums within 100 km of Brainerd. The closest is Crow Wing County Historical Society and Museum (1 km). Best time: year-round.

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Hill stations & viewpoints near Brainerd

8 hill stations & viewpoints within 100 km of Brainerd. The closest is Chippewa Lookout (17 km). Best time: october to february for cool, clear air.

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Wildlife, forests & gardens near Brainerd

7 wildlife, forests & gardens within 100 km of Brainerd. The closest is Northland Arboretum (3 km). Best time: november to march for sightings.

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A one-day trip from Brainerd

5 of the best places within 60 km, in driving order so you don’t double back: about 55 km on the road.

  1. Start in Brainerd
  2. 3 km Bane Park · park, Crow Wing
  3. 9 km Russell Lake · lake, Crow Wing
  4. 22 km Crow Wing State Park · nature spot, Cass
  5. 11 km Whipple Beach Recreational Area · lake, Crow Wing
  6. 7 km Northland Arboretum · nature spot, Crow Wing
  7. 3 km Back to Brainerd

Plan a longer trip from Brainerd — the planner adds a place to stay each night and keeps the route to one loop.

From travellers near Brainerd

No traveller has reported from around Brainerd yet. Been to one of these places recently? Open it and post what you found — is the waterfall flowing, how crowded was the temple, is the beach safe — so the next visitor knows before they drive.

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How to reach Brainerd

    All places near Brainerd by distance

    Within 15 km of Brainerd

    15–50 km — half-day trips

    50–100 km — one-day trips

    Count by type (within 100 km)

    Places near Brainerd by type
    TypeWithin 50 kmWithin 100 kmNearest
    Lakes, dams & reservoirs32119Whipple Beach Recreational Area (10 km)
    Churches521Faith Baptist Church (3 km)
    Forts & heritage1219Brainerd Water Tower (1 km)
    Museums612Crow Wing County Historical Society and Museum (1 km)
    Hill stations & viewpoints58Chippewa Lookout (17 km)
    Wildlife, forests & gardens27Northland Arboretum (3 km)
    Other attractions36Breezy Point Resort (32 km)
    Rivers, islands & mangroves34Gooseberry Island (32 km)
    Parks13Bane Park (3 km)
    Beaches & coast03Hunters Bay (80 km)
    Waterfalls12Cascade Lake (34 km)

    Brainerd: questions travellers ask

    What are the best places to visit near Brainerd?

    Bane Park (park, about 3 km), Northland Arboretum (nature spot, about 3 km), Whipple Beach Recreational Area (lake, about 10 km), Russell Lake (lake, about 11 km), Crow Wing State Park (nature spot, about 17 km), Sylvan Dam (dam, about 19 km).

    How many tourist places are there within 50 km of Brainerd?

    70 places on Spotwander: 32 lakes, dams & reservoirs, 5 churches, 12 forts & heritage, 6 museums, 5 hill stations & viewpoints.

    Which is the nearest lake to Brainerd?

    Whipple Beach Recreational Area, about 10 km by road; Russell Lake (11 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest church to Brainerd?

    Faith Baptist Church, about 3 km by road; Heritage Church (3 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest fort to Brainerd?

    Brainerd Water Tower, about 1 km by road; MN 309 (5 km) is next.

    What is a good one-day trip from Brainerd?

    Start in Brainerd, visit Bane Park, then Russell Lake, then Crow Wing State Park, then Whipple Beach Recreational Area, then Northland Arboretum, and drive back — about 55 km by road in all.

    What is the best time to visit places near Brainerd?

    August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open for lakes, dams & reservoirs; October to February for forts & heritage; year-round for churches and museums.

    Towns near Brainerd

    Sources: places from OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata and GeoNames; Brainerd’s location and population from GeoNames; see also Brainerd on Wikipedia. Data sources & credits.