From Dawn To Dusk, Here’s The Perfect Overnight Adventure In Minnesota’s Lake Country

Spend a postcard-perfect weekend up north in Minnesota's Lake Country hiking, relaxing, and enjoying a stay at a charming, lakefront vacation home rental in the Brainerd Lakes area. (We think it's one of the best places to stay in Minnesota). The Land of 10,000 Lakes just doesn't get much better than this!

Your home base for this weekend adventure is the charming community of Pequot Lakes, located just north of Brainerd-Baxter on Minnesota Hwy. 371.

Start your day at MN Traders Co., located right in town.

There, you can grab some coffee and fuel up for your day.

After you've got your coffee, take some time to stroll around and explore some of what the charming community ​​Pequot Lakes has to offer.

Then hit the Paul Bunyan State Trail to stretch your legs.

This ​​multi-use trail stretches more than 120 miles, running from Brainerd to beyond Bemidji, passing straight through Pequot Lakes along the way. It's currently the longest paved trail in the state.If you brought along your bike, take a quick ride. Otherwise enjoy a walk as a warm-up for your next stop.

Technically speaking, you could take the Paul Bunyan State Trail from Pequot Lakes to the Foot Hills State Forest, which is your next stop.

If you're biking, the 22 miles shouldn't be a problem. Otherwise, I recommend using your vehicle.

Once there, you'll hit the trail and enjoy exploring the North Woods of Minnesota.

The forest is criss-crossed with trails and dotted with lakes for you to enjoy!

If you're an off-road enthusiast, Foot Hills State Forest is home to the Spider Lake Trails, which are considered some of the best in the state.

By now, you will have worked up an appetite, so mosey on back toward Pequot Lakes.

There, you'll find the beloved​​ Norway Ridge Supper Club, a local dining institution on Kimble Lake that's been serving up supper club classics since 1948. Reservations are recommended.

After dinner, head over to Lake Sibley and your home for the night.

This ​​charming lakefront cottage offers everything you'll need for a relaxing evening on your up north adventure.

You may want to eat a little earlier, so you can get back to your rental to enjoy sunset over Sibley Lake from the dock.

Of course, you can enjoy your morning coffee there, as well.

If you're feeling the day's walking in your muscles, you can also relax in the property's sauna-with-a-view.

The next morning, you'll head a little north of Pequot Lakes, toward Jenkins, to get your day started.

Stop into ​​A-Pine Family Restaurant for a hearty breakfast. This popular eatery has been a local favorite for decades, and any visit to the North Woods requires a stop. Take a slice of pie or two with you to enjoy later.

Before you leave the area, you should definitely stop and explore Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area.

This ​​state recreation area is a blueprint for adventure of just about any kind: hiking, mountain biking, paddling, fishing, even scuba diving. It's a great place to spend another fantastic day in the North Woods.

Whether you're staying overnight or making a long weekend of it, we're certain you'll enjoy exploring this part of the state. Have you visited any of these places? Let us know your favorite spots in the Brainerd Lakes area in the comments.