Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway (original) (raw)
Paul Bunyan Scenic BywayBy Ways2021-08-24T12:31:01-04:00
Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway
State: Minnesota
Length: 48 miles / 76.8 km
Time to Allow: Allow two hours to drive this byway.
For a shorter trip, try out the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway. Take the drive-in as little as one and a half hours as it’s only 54 miles long, or take a full day to fully enjoy the trip. The trip does not follow a straight route but instead branches off four times to cover a circular area. While the road branches, you get a lot of scenery, including waterfalls, mountains, and forests over country roads in the Crow Wing County and into Cass County. Take this byway for a hike in the area where Paul Bunyan himself use to spend his time, at least mythically.
Begin the byway in Pine River, almost exactly in the middle of the state by Norway Lake. In town, you can take a picture of yourself in Paul Bunyan’s baby boots at the information center. It’s home to the Cass County Fair and over 400 lakes in a thirty-mile range. Find every outdoor sports recreation you can imagine in the area, including hiking, biking, camping, fishing, and horseback riding to start. The state park offers rapids perfect for class one. Enjoy the lush wildlife with sightings of deer, beavers, and a variety of birds.
The byway is by the Brainerd Lakes Area, with plenty of attractions and activities, even on cold or rainy days. Head up the north part of the trail to Manhattan Beach and Crosslake. If you attend church, they have outdoor worship available right on the lake. Golfing is a big deal in town too, with several golf courses. The Crosslake Historic Village makes for a fun afternoon with a look into the past. End the day with a cruise perfect for the whole family. Stay at one of several hotels in town and try out Rafferty’s Pizza for a variety of options, even for those with allergies.
Another great town to stop in on the byway is Ideal Corners in the middle of the area surrounded by lakes. It offers a town park and more water than you can imagine meaning you can enjoy all kinds of water sports from swimming to fishing and much more. Stay at the Towering Pine Resort and enjoy a day in the sun at the Clamshell Beach Resort. Nearby you can find fishing, biking, golfing, and so much more.
While in the area, you can enjoy the Rolle Johnson Natural and Recreational Area with three islands, including Big Island, Little Island, and Steamboat Island, all with campsites open to the public. They come equipped with a playground for kids and massive ecosystems and trails. End the byway in Breezy Point by Pelican lake and visit Gooseberry Island. The area offers beauty and freedom to explore, and many resorts ready to try out until you find your favorite. It’s the perfect lake vacationland ready to make summers epic with a hint of mythology, too, for a little fun.
More Minnesota Byways
You can check out additional Byways in Minnesota by clicking on the list of byways below, or by going to the Minnesota Byways home section. To find even more of scenic byways in the United States, visit our scenic byways map.