Craiguns or Maddens resorts on Gull Lake in Brainerd are really nice places. You're close to Brainerd, which is a pretty big town, but also Nisswa, which is a cute little town with shops and restaurants. Many memories from trips taken up there when I was a kid, we had relatives who had a cabin up on Lake Edward in Nisswa.

My family has been going up to a resort in Nevis which is a little farther than you would like but we all love it. It takes about 3.5hrs but it is well worth it. It is near Park Rapids & Walker



Site is www.royalstarrresort.com



And we have never had a leech..

I agree with Beth that the Brainerd area is a great place to visit--I grew up in that area(it is beautiful in the spring and summer!). There are plenty of small, fun shops and restaurants in Nisswa. Grand View Lodge is another idea for a place to rent a cabin. :)

stay away from brainard as it is too crowded in the summer. go further north to hubbard county where there are lots of lakes and less people. the land and lakes are less suburbanized by the city people who own land and huge homes as they do around cross lake and the brainard lake areas... Hubbard is less crowded and still quiet and calm. the further you get away from the city, the better when it comes to a more laid back weekend get away.

peace.

Hi Melissa,

Check out Head of the Lakes Resort up in Osakis. It is a great place, fishing, playground, cabins or camping avail. My sister-in-law has a lake home up there next to the resort, and the fishing is also awesome. There are NO leeches!!! :) Alex would love the slide in the water on the beach. It's relly nice for the little ones. they also have a lodge where you can go to have a burger (great), play games, or just chat with the other vacationers. You won't have a bad time at all. It is a great place and our kids love it also.