Explore Brainerd Lakes

Explore Brainerd Lakes Explore the best of the Brainerd Lakes Area 🌲🍁
Find things to do, local events, resorts, dining, trails, and year-round adventures in central Minnesota.

Page managed by the Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce

08/25/2026

End-of-summer blues got you down? ☀️ Looking for something fun to do this week? We’ve got you covered!

The CRMC Championship at Cragun’s Resort is officially in full swing! ⛳ Running August 24–30, this exciting week has something for everyone—from world-class golf to events and activities for all ages.

It’s not too late to squeeze a little more fun out of summer! Grab your friends and family and head out to Cragun's to experience all the action.

Check out the full schedule of events and learn more at crmcchampionship.com.

When you hear CRMC Championship, do you only think of golf? Think again! ⛳🎉There’s so much planned, with events happenin...
08/22/2026

When you hear CRMC Championship, do you only think of golf? Think again! ⛳🎉

There’s so much planned, with events happening all week, Aug 24-30, 2026 - whether you love watching the action on the course, spending time with family and friends, or enjoying a fun night of live music.

From the Pro-Junior event on Tuesday to Ladies Night on Friday, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Check out the event page for the full schedule and start planning your perfect week at Cragun's!

https://crmcchampionship.com/tournament-info/schedule-of-events/

Need a place to stay for NHRA Nationals weekend? ***Updated last minute availability is in the comments!Good news, we've...
08/19/2026

Need a place to stay for NHRA Nationals weekend? ***Updated last minute availability is in the comments!

Good news, we've done the searching for you.

We've compiled a list of Brainerd Lakes Area lodging properties that still have availability for August 20-23 during the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals. Whether you're coming for the 330+ MPH racing or making it a long weekend Up North, now is the time to reserve your room.

Availability is limited and changes quickly, so don't wait.

View available lodging: https://explorebrainerdlakes.com/lodging-with-availability-during-the-nhra-nationals/

⛳ Visiting the Brainerd Lakes Area during the CRMC Championship?Whether you're a golf fan or simply looking for somethin...
08/14/2026

⛳ Visiting the Brainerd Lakes Area during the CRMC Championship?

Whether you're a golf fan or simply looking for something fun to do while you're here, the CRMC Championship is one of the can't-miss events of late summer. We put together the need-to-knows to help you plan your week including:

• What to expect as a spectator
• Admission details
• Tournament week highlights
• Parking and planning tips
• Places to eat, stay, and explore nearby

Make a day of it, and discover everything else the Brainerd Lakes Area has to offer while you're here.

Read the guide: https://explorebrainerdlakes.com/crmc-championship/

📸: Photo Courtesy CRMC ChampionshipCRMC Championship

🎶 FREE SUMMER CONCERT | SATURDAY, AUGUST 8! 🎶Join Lakes Area Music Festival for their Celebrate America’s 250th birthday...
08/07/2026

🎶 FREE SUMMER CONCERT | SATURDAY, AUGUST 8! 🎶

Join Lakes Area Music Festival for their Celebrate America’s 250th birthday celebration with an evening of incredible live music featuring the full LAMF Symphony Orchestra! 🇺🇸🎻

Enjoy American favorites like Stars and Stripes Forever and Appalachian Spring, plus music by Joan Tower and a special performance by Broadway soprano Andrea Ross.

Bring your lawn chair, grab some food and a drink, and settle in for a beautiful summer evening of music in the Brainerd Lakes Area.

✨ Best of all, it’s completely FREE and no tickets are required!

Grab a friend and come enjoy the music! 🎵

Saturday, August 8, 2026 (7:30 PM - 8:30 PM)
Lyman P White Amphitheater
484 E River Rd
Brainerd, MN

🚣 Think you've got what it takes to build a boat out of cardboard... and actually make it across the water?The 2026 Moon...
08/07/2026

🚣 Think you've got what it takes to build a boat out of cardboard... and actually make it across the water?

The 2026 Moonlite Bay Family Restaurant & Bar Cardboard Boat Races are back for another afternoon of laughs, friendly competition, and unforgettable entertainment.

Whether you're building a boat to race or grabbing a seat on the deck to cheer everyone on, this is one of Crosslake's most unique summer traditions.

Saturday, August 8 | Racing Starts at 1 PM
Moonlite Bay Family Restaurant & Bar

Schedule:
10:30 AM–12 PM | Registration
12:45 PM | Paddlers Meeting
1 PM | Kids Race (Ages 12 & Under)
2 PM | Adult Race

Bring your friends, your creativity, and your competitive spirit. Whether your boat floats or sinks, everyone is guaranteed a great time.

More information: https://crosslake.com/events

🏁 The fastest weekend of the summer is almost here!Feel the ground shake as the NHRA Nationals roar into Brainerd Intern...
08/07/2026

🏁 The fastest weekend of the summer is almost here!

Feel the ground shake as the NHRA Nationals roar into Brainerd International Raceway. Witness 12,000-horsepower Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars blast down the quarter-mile at over 330 mph in one of the most iconic events on the NHRA schedule.

But the excitement doesn't stop at the track. Make it a race weekend getaway with lakeside dining, golf, shopping, live music, family attractions, and unforgettable Up North adventures throughout the Brainerd Lakes Area.

Whether you're a lifelong racing fan or experiencing the NHRA for the first time, this is a bucket-list event you won't want to miss.

📍 Brainerd International Raceway
🏁 NHRA Nationals
📅 August 20-23, 2026

Plan your race weekend & find available lodging: https://explorebrainerdlakes.com/nhra-nationals-at-bir/

All photos courtesy of Brainerd International Raceway.

What's Happening This Weekend? ☀️The Brainerd Lakes Area is packed with can't-miss events this weekend. Here's just a ta...
08/06/2026

What's Happening This Weekend? ☀️

The Brainerd Lakes Area is packed with can't-miss events this weekend. Here's just a taste of what's happening:

August 4–8 // Crow Wing County Fair 🎡

August 7–8 // Deerwood Days🎉

August 8–9 | 10 AM–6 PM // Pioneer Days Paul Bunyan Land🪓

August 8 | 1 PM // Cardboard Boat Races Moonlite Bay Family Restaurant & Bar 🚣

August 8 | 7:30–8:30 PM // Lakes Area Music Festival: Celebrating 250 Free Concert at Lyman P. White Amphitheater 🎻

There's even more to explore! Browse our full community events calendar and start planning your weekend:
https://business.explorebrainerdlakes.com/events

📸: Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch

It's time to book your tickets for the 2026 CRMC Championship! ⛳🏌️General admission is free, but you can upgrade to the ...
08/04/2026

It's time to book your tickets for the 2026 CRMC Championship! ⛳🏌️

General admission is free, but you can upgrade to the VIP experience here: https://crmcchampionship.com/spectators/

Address

7393 State Highway 371
Brainerd, MN
56401

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 3pm
Sunday 10am - 3pm

Telephone

+12188292838

Website

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