When it comes to planning the perfect Minnesota summer vacation, few destinations combine championship golf, lakeside relaxation, and family-friendly recreation quite like the Brainerd Lakes Area. Home to some of the state’s most celebrated golf resorts and courses, this region offers everything you need for an unforgettable golf getaway.
Whether you’re planning a weekend escape with friends, a couples retreat, or a family vacation that includes plenty of time on the fairways, Minnesota offers an unmatched combination of championship golf, beautiful resorts, and endless outdoor recreation.
Stay, Play, and Experience Minnesota
One of the best ways to experience Minnesota golf is through its legendary golf resorts. Located throughout the scenic Brainerd Lakes Area, these destinations combine outstanding golf with comfortable accommodations, lake recreation, dining, and activities for every member of the family.
Breezy Point Resort
Located on the shores of Pelican Lake, Breezy Point Resort offers a classic Minnesota resort atmosphere and outstanding golf. Golfers can enjoy the Whitebirch Course, one of the area’s most established championship layouts, along with the nationally recognized Deacon’s Lodge, designed by legendary golfer Arnold Palmer.
Cragun’s Resort on Gull Lake
Cragun’s has earned national recognition as a premier golf destination, led by the highly acclaimed Lehman 18, designed by Minnesota golf legend Tom Lehman. Together with the beautiful Dutch Legacy Course, the resort offers an exceptional championship golf experience. Combined with lakefront lodging, water recreation, and family-friendly amenities, Cragun’s delivers the perfect blend of golf, relaxation, and Minnesota hospitality.
Grand View Lodge
Grand View Lodge pairs rich Minnesota tradition with exceptional golf. Home to The Pines and Preserve courses, the resort offers outstanding golf alongside a full-service spa, lake activities, dining, and accommodations that make it easy to create a memorable stay-and-play experience.
Madden’s on Gull Lake
For generations, Madden’s has been one of Minnesota’s premier golf destinations. Home to four distinctive courses, including the nationally acclaimed Classic Course, Madden’s offers a complete golf vacation experience. Beyond the fairways, guests can enjoy boating, fishing, swimming beaches, tennis, and a wide range of resort activities.
Gravel Pit Golf
Beyond the championship courses found throughout the area’s premier golf resorts, visitors can also discover unique local golf experiences. One favorite is Gravel Pit Golf Course, a one-of-a-kind layout that has earned a loyal following among Minnesota golfers. Built on a former gravel mining site, the course features dramatic elevation changes, rugged terrain, and memorable holes unlike anything you’ll find elsewhere in the state.
More Than Just Golf
What makes Minnesota golf vacations special is everything that happens between rounds. Spend the morning on the course and the afternoon on the lake. Explore hiking and biking trails, enjoy fishing and boating, relax at a spa, or gather with friends and family around an evening bonfire.
Many of Minnesota’s premier golf resorts offer activities designed for golfers and non-golfers alike, making them ideal destinations for couples, families, and groups looking for more than just a golf trip.
Start Planning Your Summer Escape
Whether you’re planning a weekend golf trip with friends, a couples retreat, or a week-long family vacation, the Brainerd Lakes Area offers the perfect combination of championship golf, lakeside recreation, and Minnesota hospitality. Start planning now, pack your clubs, and discover why golfers return to this region year after year.
