Family Fun Guide To Walker: MN's Original 'Up North'

Taking a trip to Walker is one of the best ways to enjoy the beauty of Northern Minnesota. Located on the southwest corner of Leech Lake, the third largest lake in Minnesota, Walker offers a variety of recreational activities fort he entire family to enjoy. Home to world-class fishing, great golfing, miles of woodland and scenic byways, there are plenty of outdoor activities for anyone yearning to experience the great outdoors. The downtown area offers fantastic shopping in unique stores and exceptional dining in a variety of restaurants for when you are ready to come in from the outside.

Sail Away
Leech Lake is a popular hotspot for muskies, big pike, walleyes, and bass with fisherman. Yet with 640 miles of shoreline it is perfect of another water activity: sailing. Most people don't know about this monstrous, windswept lake so there are no crowds. Also, much of the lake's shoreline is owned by the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and U.S. Forest Service, so little is or will be developed. Sailing is a perfect activity for either a couple or a family, think fun and romance. It is easy to dock and take in shore-side activity with the Shores of Leech Lake Marina located right next to Walker.

Ride the Trail
The Paul Bunyan Trail connects Walker to 110 miles of continuously paved biking trail that runs from Brainerd, MN to Bemidji, MN. The terrain of the Paul Bunyan Trail ranges from flat and open to hilly and scenic. The trail offers areas available for bike-in camping. Anyone without a bicycle can rent one at Chase on the Lake in Walker.

Take in the Town
Walker is a hidden gem with one of the best small downtown areas in Minnesota. The downtown can be accessed from Leech Lake with a large public dock to park your boat at. A variety of different shops and restaurants are all located in walking distance of the waterfront. Reeds Sporting Goods sells gear and clothing for the whole family; Jenny and Company is an upscale kitchen accessories store, Village Square is an ice cream shop with an outdoor patio, and there are many other great shops to explore. Walker also has a public beach within walking distance of the downtown with a playground for the kids.

Judy Grundstrom is Director of Business Development at Pixel Farm Digital in Minneapolis. You can read her personal work at JustJudyJudyJudy.com