Hey y'all! 👋
If you're planning a trip to Crosslake this year, first of all — great choice. We're Evan and Annie. We live here on these lakes with our four kids, and we host families from all over the country at our lakehouses. So this isn't one of those lists written from a desk three states away. This is what we actually tell our guests when they ask, "So… what should we do while we're here?"
Here's your 2026 guide — what's new, what's tradition, and what's worth building a whole day around.
Get on the Whitefish Chain
Crosslake sits on the Whitefish Chain — 14 connected lakes you can explore by boat without ever pulling out of the water. It's the heart of everything up here.
- Rent a pontoon or fishing boat from one of the local marinas — and book ahead for July and August weekends, trust us.
- Boat to lunch. Yes, y'all read that right. Spots like Moonlite Bay let you pull the boat right up. There's nothing like a basket of fries with lake water still dripping off the kids.
- Fish. Walleye, bass, northern pike — the Chain is famous for a reason. If the kids have never pulled in a sunfish off a dock, this is the summer to fix that.
No boat? No problem. Kayaks and paddleboards come with several of our homes, and quieter lakes like Fawn Lake are perfect for a slow morning paddle with coffee waiting on the dock.
Watch for Loons — and Watch the Loon Center Rise
Minnesota's state bird is basically Crosslake's mascot, and 2026 is a big year for it. The National Loon Center's new $18.5 million campus is under construction right now on the shores of Cross Lake — a 20,000-square-foot building designed around the three worlds of a loon: sky, surface, and underwater. It opens in 2027, and honestly, watching it come together is half the fun.
In the meantime, the Loon Center still runs guided pontoon loon tours all summer — one of the coolest "only in Crosslake" things you can do. Hearing a loon call across still water at dusk? That's a core memory, y'all.
Eat Like a Local
A few of our family's favorites (and the ones our guests rave about):
- Moonlite Bay Restaurant & Lounge — the classic boat-up spot on the Chain.
- The Wharf — get the walleye sandwich. Thank us later.
- Norway Ridge Supper Club — old-school Minnesota supper club, cozy and worth the short drive.
- Cedar Chest Restaurant & Bar — a reliable favorite for a relaxed dinner.
- Downtown Crosslake — grab an ice cream, browse the shops, and let the evening go slow.
Golf Some of the Best Courses in the Country
The Brainerd Lakes Area ranks among the top golf destinations in the world — not the state, the world. Crosswoods Golf Course is 10 minutes from town, and within a short drive you've got Deacon's Lodge, The Classic at Madden's, and the courses at Grand View Lodge. If someone in your crew golfs, build it into the trip.
Hit the Trails
- Paul Bunyan State Trail — 100+ miles of paved trail runs through the area. Rent bikes and ride a stretch through the pines.
- Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway — a gorgeous drive that loops right through Crosslake. In late September and early October the fall colors along it are unreal.
- Rollie Johnson Natural & Recreational Area — quick, easy trails five minutes from town, perfect for little legs.
Plan Around the 2026 Festivals
Crosslake knows how to throw a party, and these are the ones to know:
- Fourth of July — fireworks over the lake and the Patriotic Boat Parade on the Chain. If you've never seen a boat parade, it's exactly as fun as it sounds.
- Bean Hole Days in Pequot Lakes (July 14–15, 2026) — giant cast-iron kettles of beans buried overnight and served to 3,000 people. Pure Minnesota.
- Crosslake Days (early fall) — a whole weekend of free family fun: craft fairs, a chili cook-off, a street dance, and the Cider & Candlelight Tour as the leaves turn.
- WinterFest (February) — three days of games, crafts, and community fun that prove Crosslake doesn't hibernate.
- St. Patrick's Day Parade (March) — famously one of the best St. Paddy's celebrations in Minnesota. Yes, in a lake town of about 2,000 people. It's a whole thing.
For the Kids: Keep an Eye on WonderTrek
Just down the road in Baxter, the WonderTrek Children's Museum is in the final stretch of building its nine-acre Outdoor Adventure campus — treehouse, stream-and-pond play, adventure trails, the works. It's one of the most exciting family projects the Lakes Area has seen in years. Check their site before your trip; in the meantime their "WonderTrek on Wheels" program pops up at community events all over the area.
Come in the "Quiet" Seasons — Seriously
Everybody knows Crosslake in July. But some of our favorite guest stories come from the other months:
- Fall — fog on the water in the morning, fall colors, no crowds, and cozy nights by the fire pit.
- Winter — snowmobile trails right out the door, ice fishing, saunas and hot tubs under the stars, and if you're lucky, northern lights.
- Spring — the lakes wake up, the loons come home, and you'll have the dock to yourself.
Our homes are built for all four seasons — hot tubs, saunas, fireplaces, game rooms — because core memories don't check the calendar.
Y'all Come Stay With Us
However you spend your Crosslake trip, you need a home base that feels like, well, home. That's what we do. Every WEKYN Stays lakehouse is hospitality-first — five-star clean, thoughtfully designed by Annie, stocked down to the coffee, with a real local family (that's us!) a text away the whole time. No question is too small.
Book direct and you'll skip the platform fees, get the best price anywhere, and unlock perks like free early check-in. Feeling lucky? Enter our free-stay giveaway while you're at it.
We can't wait to welcome y'all to the lake. How can we serve you?
— Evan, Annie & the WEKYN Stays family