If lakes are what people think of when they think about Minnesota, it’s likely that they’re thinking about the Central Lake District, particularly the Brainerd area. Slightly more than two hours north of the Twin Cities, this area has long been a popular weekend getaway spot in the summer, where a community of mom-and-pop resorts and upscale enclaves serve all types of interests. Brainerd and its twin city of Baxter are the most prominent communities, but they are not the only cities to consider when looking at a lake vacation; many of the small towns surrounding Brainerd, including Nisswa, Pequot Lakes, and Crosslake, are all good bets. These are towns that grew up during the railroad and logging boom, and when that died back, they turned to the abundant lakes to develop tourism.
But even beyond the Brainerd region are good options for water enthusiasts. Going west to the area around Willmar, visitors can find beautiful rolling countryside and lakes created by glaciers 10,000 years ago, although those seeking higher-end accommodations may be disappointed. Northwest of Brainerd is the Alexandria Lakes area, a growing and highly scenic multiple-lake community. Minnesota’s second-largest lake, Lake Mille Lacs, rests east of Brainerd and is also an idyllic area for visitors, especially avid fishermen, summer and winter. Along the way, whether en routeto Brainerd/Mille Lacs or Willmar, are a number of historical and cultural sites of interest, particularly through the St. Cloud area.
BEACHSIDE AT MADDEN’S RESORT
Because these popular lake regions are relatively close to the Twin Cities, traffic can be heavy, especially on weekends. The route to Brainerd has been improved by the addition of traffic lanes on MN 371, but Brainerd and Baxter are not towns designed for heavy traffic flow; be prepared for slow going at times.
TURTLE RACES IN NISSWA
GUIDANCE The St. Cloud Convention and Visitor Bureau (320-251-4170 or 1-800-264-2940; visitstcloud.com), 1411 W. St. Germain, Suite 104, St. Cloud. Provides information for St. Cloud lodging and tourism.
Mille Lacs Lake Area Tourism (320-676-9972 or 1-888-350-2692; millelacs.com), 630 W. Main Street, Isle.
Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce (320-235-0300; willmarareachamber.com), 2104 E. US 12, Willmar.
Brainerd Lakes Chamber and Convention and Visitor Bureau (218-829-2838 or 1-800-450-2838; explorebrainerdlakes.com), 7393 S. MN 371, Brainerd. The Brainerd Lakes Chamber offers extensive lodging and activity information for the Brainerd/Baxter region and surrounding areas. The visitor center on MN 371 is large and well equipped with information and brochures about the Brainerd Lakes area.
Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce (320-763-3161 or 1-800-235-9441; alexandriamn.org), 206 Broadway, Alexandria.
GETTING THERE By air: Delta Air Lines and its SkyWest subsidiary serve the cities of Brainerd and St. Cloud. Willmar has a municipal airport that can handle small corporate planes. Taxis and rental cars are available from the airports: Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport (218-825-2166; brainerdairport.com), 16384 Airport Road, in Brainerd, and St. Cloud Regional Airport (320-255-7292; stcloudairport.com), 1550 SE 45th Avenue, in St. Cloud.
By car: I-94 and US 10 both traverse St. Cloud. From St. Cloud, US 10 meets MN 371, which continues north to Brainerd. Willmar is servedfrom the east and west by US 12, and from the north and south by US 71. The Mille Lacs area is ringed by US 169 and MN 18, MN 27, and MN 47.
GETTING AROUND Having a vehicle is a necessity when traveling around the Central Lakes region, unless you plan to stay solely at your resort.
WHEN TO COME The summer months see an influx of tourists who come to enjoy the multitude of lakes and beaches, but summer isn’t the only popular time, especially for fishing enthusiasts who cast their poles in open water in summer and through holes in the ice in winter. Hunters and winter-sports aficionados appreciate the fall and winter seasons as well.
MEDICAL EMERGENCY Call 911.
CentraCare St. Cloud Hospital (320-251-2700; centracare.com), 1406 N. 6th Avenue, St. Cloud.
Mille Lacs Health System (320-532-3154; mlhealth.org), 200 N. Elm Street, Onamia.
Long Prairie Memorial Hospital (320-732-2131; centracare.com), 50 Centra Care Drive, Long Prairie.
Melrose Area Hospital (320-256-4231; centracare.com), 525 W. Main Street, Melrose.
Carris Health—Rice Memorial Hospital (320-235-4543; carrishealth.com), 301 SW Becker Avenue, Willmar.
Essentia Health—St. Joseph’s Medical Center (218-829-2861; essentiahealth.org), 523 N. 3rd Street, Brainerd.
Alomere Health—Douglas County Hospital (320-762-1511; alomerehealth.com), 111 E. 17th Avenue, Alexandria.