Brainerd sits in Crow County and is its county seat, with a population of 14,395 as of the 2020 United States Census. The Mississippi River runs through the town, and Gilbert and Rice lakes sit along the town's north end. Minnesota State Highways 18, 25, 210, and 371 provide access for your Brainerd, MN RV Rental to enter and leave the area. Locals often refer to the region as the Brainerd Lakes Area, thanks to the 460 lakes within 25 miles of the city. Nearby Gilbert Lake is nearly 45 feet deep and offers anglers a chance to catch crappies, bluegill, pike, pumpkinseed, walleye, and yellow perch. Brainerd sits along Rice Lake's shores, providing a similar depth profile and fish species. The Paul Bunyan State Trail starts here and moves north to Bemidji, 112 miles to the north. The Brainerd to Little Falls Mississippi River Trail is shorter, offering a 35.1-mile point-to-point system with a 108-foot elevation change with an easy rating. Find a parking spot for your toy hauler, popup camper, or other RV, and enjoy a couple of hours at Paul Bunyan Land. It offers 18 attractions and rides that are family-friendly. The whole family might also want to check out the nearby Three Bears Waterpark & Craguns Laser Tag to burn off extra energy after driving around in the motorhome.
Ernies on Gull is a popular place to eat in town and American foods and has a pub atmosphere, as does the Classic Grill at Madden's. Senor Patron Mexican Cuisine ranks highly among locals if you crave Mexican food for lunch or dinner.
The 666,623-acre Chippewa National Forest makes RVshare's Top Picks for nearby forests because it contains 144 acres of old-growth trees that loggers missed in the 1800s due to a mapping error. It is also the home of Camp Rabideau, a well-preserved Civilian Conservation Corps camp that opened in 1935. Superior National Forest offers some of the best national forest water access, with 695 square miles of water within the 3.9 million acres of this wilderness area in nearby northern Minnesota. Park your camper van and enjoy one of the picnic areas, or go fishing off one of the piers. Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest covers 1.5 million acres of the northern portions of nearby Wisconsin. The area is known for its rich Native cultural history that archaeologists can trace back to 10,000 years ago. It is popular with water enthusiasts, so get ready to enjoy the two dozen swimming areas or boat, canoe, kayak, and fish in one of the lakes or rivers here.
One of the more popular upcoming annual events each June is the Lakes Jam in Brainerd at the International Speedway in town. This three-day event brings together fans of Country and Rock with live acts, family-oriented fairs, food, and vendors.
Park your campers and enjoy the upcoming Lakes Area Music Festival in July at the Gichi-ziibi Center for the Arts. Two hundred of the nation's top artists will call Brainerd home for a few days and offer orchestra and operas during several themed live performances.
Iconic Fest is one of Brainerd's more popular music festivals, held annually in July. Held at the Green Lantern east of town, the two-day festival features iconic music from the 1970s through the 1990s.
Voyageurs National Park covers over 200,000 acres and is one of the best national parks for those wanting to enjoy waterways and island-filled lakes. Located close to nearby International Falls, it has four large lakes and 26 smaller bodies of water. Anglers can try for black crappie, northern pike, sauger, smallmouth bass, walleye, and yellow perch. If fishing is not your thing, explore 27 miles of hiking trails or stargaze at this remote location with dark skies. You will have to leave your fifth-wheel trailer behind, though, as the campsites here are only accessible by boat. Isle Royale National Park is becoming a popular destination for those looking for a different type of venue. This island sits within Lake Superior but is considered part of the nearby Upper Peninsula of Michigan. You can park your RV and take a ferry or seaplane to reach the 400 islands that make up the park. Guests enjoy tent camping at one of the 36 sites, hiking around the island, and visiting the three lighthouses here. People will also take boat cruises among the islands, scuba dive, and swim while visiting. You can find plenty of mainland camping with RV hookups along the lake shore in Minnesota and Michigan. If you are up for a road trip, you can drive to Badlands National Park in nearby South Dakota, a site that makes RVshare's Top Picks for national parks thanks to its remote nature and unique topography. The park contains mixed-grass prairie, eroded buttes, and pinnacles among its 244,000 acres. Animals that call Badlands home include bison, bighorn sheep, and prairie dogs. You can visit the Ben Reifel and White River visitor centers before you begin exploring. Before you leave, stop at the Fossil Preparation Lab to see what paleontologists are uncovering in the area.
Take your Brainerd, MN RV Rental on a drive to nearby Crow Wing State Park, a 3,119-acre site that offers some of the best peeks into the local history. You can visit the Old Crow Wing Town Site at the confluence of the Crow Wing and Mississippi rivers, a frontier town that peaked in the mid-19th century. Other popular activities include canoeing the riverways, fishing, hiking, and viewing nature. Bird watchers stay busy identifying different songbirds and waterfowl in the area, while others like to observe and photograph beavers, coyotes, deer, eagles, foxes, hawks, and muskrats. Nearby Banning State Park makes RVshare's Top Picks for nearby parks for the variety of activities it offers guests. One stand-out feature is the ten-mile section of the Kettle River, including the 1.5-mile section of rapids ranging from Class II to Class IV. There are 17 miles of trails to get around Banning State Park, including sections of paved bike trails and a wheelchair-accessible area. Those wanting to enjoy the rapids at their peak should visit in early summer, but visitors come even during winter to cross-country ski and snowmobile. Glendalough State Park is popular with anglers, offering shore access to Annie Battle Lake close to nearby Battle Lake. Local anglers report catching bullhead, crappie, bluegill, bowfin, carp, largemouth bass, muskie, pike, walleye, and yellow perch from the water here. You can bike or walk the Beaver Pond Interpretive Trail or Glenadlugh Trail if you want something to do off the lake. You can hike into a 22-site campground near the parking lot or stay at one of the three canoe-in campsites along the south end of the lake. You will need to go elsewhere nearby to find RV-friendly camping, however.
The Mississippi National River and Recreation Area is a popular river park that stretches 72 miles of the Mississippi River in the nearby Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area. You can paddle or fish portions of the river. Or, park your travel trailer and tour the dam at the St. Anthoney's Falls Visitor Center on foot. Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway makes RVshare's Top Picks for nearby landmarks for its 252 miles of protected water and adjacent shoreline along the Namekagon and Saint Croix rivers. Located in nearby Wisconsin, the riverway biking, boating, fishing, and hiking during the summer is phenomenal. The nearby Pipestone National Monument offers one of the best glimpses into Native American culture as it protects ancient quarries still used today for its sacred soft red stone. Explore the history at the visitor center and learn about the active quarries still in use for making ceremonial pipes before hiking trails around the rock pits and surrounding grasslands.
If you want to spend time on a private lake, you might consider staying at Shady Hollow Resort and Campground in Brainerd. It has access to Hardy Lake and a camp store that offers boat rentals. Crow Wing Lake Campground is another popular Brainerd facility, providing concrete pads, fire rings, and picnic tables at all sites. It is a pet-friendly site that offers good cell reception, full hookups, 30-amp and 50-amp power options, and showers to clean off after a day paddling the lake. Niemeyer's Rugged River Resort might be one of Brainerd's best campgrounds as it offers back-in and pull-through sites, providing room for a Class A motorhome. The resort has two seasonal parks with a pool, hot tub, showers, and a pet-friendly environment ideal for seasonal stays during the summer.
In most areas, the price to rent a motorhome is around $200 a night and the price to rent a towable trailer is around $120 a night.
What does RVshare Protection cover with my Brainerd, MN RV rental?RVshare's protection plan standard package covers up to $300,000 in comprehensive and collision coverage based on the value of the RV. It also includes free 24/7 roadside assistance and free towing and tire service. For more information on RVshare insurance, click here.
What do I need to know before renting an RV in Brainerd, MN?Brainerd has highway access to make RV driving simpler. The city also has ample parks, bodies of water, and open spaces to visit. Be sure to include time in your plans to explore the Northland Arboretum, the Paul Bunyan State Trail, or the Brainerd International Raceway.
What are the RV rental requirements in Brainerd, MN?There is no special license needed to rent an RV, but it never hurts to check state websites. if you are unsure about traveling there and any regulations they may have, double-checking with the state will provide some peace of mind!
What are some tips for first-time RV renters in Brainerd, MN?Renting an RV in Brainerd, MN means blue skies and open roads. With all the wide open space between destinations, make sure you have a full tank of gas and plenty of food before you hit the road. You'll find RV campgrounds with showers, laundry, and other fun amenities. Busy season is in the summer so book early to get your spot, or visit off-season to avoid crowds.
What are the minimum age requirements for renting an RV in Brainerd, MN?The minimum age requirement for renting an RV is 25.
What is included in my Brainerd, MN RV rental?You should find any amenities that are included with your rental in the listing details. But it never hurts to check in with the owner before you arrive at the RV or have it delivered to ensure you have everything that is needed to have a fun and enjoyable trip!
Are there pet friendly RVs for rent in Brainerd, MN?Looking for a pet friendly RV rental? Use the pet-friendly filter when searching on RVshare.com to find the perfect one for you!
Can I have my Brainerd, MN RV rental delivered to a specified location?Many owners on RVshare.com offer delivery, and will even set it up for you at the campsite. Choose the 'Delivery' filter to narrow down your search results to RVs that can be brought to your home or destination. Check the listing details for any information regarding extra fees for delivery, or ask the owner if you are unsure.
Are there one way rental options from Brainerd, MN?One way rentals can add flexibility to your trip, but there are typically costs associated with returning the RV back to the owner. Learn more about one way rental options at rvshare.com/one-way-rv-rentals.
