Area Attractions
You'd be amazed at the number of fun area attractions within minutes of Campfire Bay Resort. From golf to horseback riding, from shopping to ziplining, you'll find lots to do IF you even want to leave the resort!
Golf
Pine Ridge Golf Club is a beautiful 18-hole championship golf course only 2 miles away. It is one of the most affordable yet challenging courses you'll find in this area.
Vintage Golf Course (25 minutes away)
Madden's Golf Courses (35 minutes away)
Little Falls Golf Course (30 minutes away)
Cragun's Golf Courses (35 minutes away)
Grand View Lodge Courses (45 minutes from resort)
Horseback Riding and Hunting
There are two stables nearby for you horse-lovers.
Outback Ranch is only 15 minutes away in the beautiful Pillsbury State Forest
Pine River Riding Stable is 45 minutes away and has a petting zoo.
There are two hunting clubs close by: LeBlanc's Rice Creek Hunting & Recreation, and Little Moran Hunting Club.
Go Carts and Motorcross, Mini-golf, and Frisbee Golf
A go cart track, Northland Kart Kountry, and the fun Pirate's Cove mini-golf course are near each other north of Brainerd and are considered to be one of the top area attractions by many.
West of the resort about 7 miles is a motorcross raceway and two other racetracks are about half an hour away.
Frisbee golf is available at so many locations within a half hour of the resort! Pine Grove Park and Dower Lake Park are 20ish minutes away in Staples. Bingo Park in Randall is just 15 minutes down the road, and there are even more courses in the Little Falls and Brainerd areas.
Zip Lining, Pig Races, and Paul Bunyan
Soar through the trees of north central MN with Brainerd Zip Line Tour! This thrilling activity is located on the slopes of Mt. Ski Gull.
If you want a really zany experience, the LA Pig Races in Leader are something to see. Just 25 minutes from the resort, north of Motley, is a bar in the middle of nowhere.They have an arena and racetrack where piglets race, volunteers do crazy things, and you get to experience a family-friendly event like no other.
Paul Bunyan Land and This Old Farm is an amusement park with a huge Paul Bunyan near Brainerd. It's an iconic area attraction. Ask Brian about when he was the voice of Paul Bunyan...LOL!
Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!
Located just 30 minutes away in Little Falls is the Pine Grove Zoo. Home to a variety of exotic, native, and domestic animals, this beautiful, historic zoo (it's over 100 years old) is worth the visit.
The Safari North Wildlife Park is about 35 minutes away south of Brainerd. It features animal exhibits from North America, South America, Africa, Asia and Australia. They have a variety of other activities and attractions such as a petting zoo, feeding giraffes, and camel rides.
Museums
We have a few interesting museums in the area. The Minnesota Military Museum is located on the grounds of Camp Ripley, about 15 minutes away, and offers over 9000 sq.ft of indoor exhibits. They also have extensive outdoor displays of tanks, jeeps, aircraft and other large equipment.
The Charles A. Lindbergh House and Visitor Center explores the family life of the famous aviator and is located just half an hour away. Charles A. Weyerhaeuser Memorial Museum is a beautiful place where people can delve into the area's rich history.
The Minnesota Fishing Museum features over 8000 artifacts in its quest to preserve the heritage and history of freshwater fishing in our state.
Hiking and Biking
Nature lovers will enjoy the many parks, conservancies, and trails within a short drive of our resort. The Nature Conservancy has a preserve nearby, and both Pillsbury State Forest and the Charles A. Lindbergh State Park are close as well. The Paul Bunyan Bike Trail is a wonderful paved bike and snowmobile trail that extends 80 miles. Its trail head is only 25 minutes from us, but there are scenic country roads and paths connected to the resort that are great for biking, too. If mountain biking is your thing, Cuyuna Lakes Bike Trails are beautiful and challenging trails in the forest around lakes and up and down hills about 45 minutes from the resort.
Didn't bring your bike? If wanting to ride in Cuyuna, the best place to rent is Red Raven. If wanting to ride near the resort or on the PBBT, Easy Riders or Muddy Bikes in Brainerd (35 min away), or Touright Bicycle Shop in Little Falls, (22 min away) are your best bet.
Entertainment
Go to a movie in Little Falls at the vintage, but renovated cinema, The Falls (phone # 320-639-1933) or Baxter at Lakes 12 (movie line # 218-828-6228). Or visit Long Prairie drive-in theatre (phone # 320-732-3142) for an outdoor experience.
Shopping
In addition to a mall and chain stores like Target and Kohls about 35 minutes away in Brainerd, there are some fun places to shop within 10 minutes of the resort such as the quirky Olde Tyme Trading Post and the antique store in Motley. Downtown Brainerd boasts a few cute boutiques and there are several fun shops on the 371 corridor in Baxter. Nisswa, though about 45 minutes away, is also just north of the Baxter shops on 371 and worth the drive with their fun shops and eateries. Little Falls downtown area, just 25 minutes southeast of the resort, has a few fun shops as well.
Winter Area Attractions
Lakewood Health Systems Staples campus (about 15 min. away) has a great sledding hill located next to the hospital. Many locals go there. Bring a sled or a snowboard!
Paul Bunyan Arboretum Cross Country Ski Trail (about 40 min. away) Enjoy some cross-country skiing on this trail.
Pillsbury State Forest (about 40 min. from resort) has 3 miles of cross country ski trails
Crow Wing State Park (about 40 min. away). Cross-country ski on any of the summer trails (not groomed) or the roads since they are not plowed.
If you don't have your own skis, you can rent them from Easy Riders in Brainerd or Touright in Little Falls.
Mount Ski Gull (about 35 min. away) is the closest place to the resort for downhill skiing, snowboarding, and tubing.
Check out this blog post for more winter area attractions and activities!