Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway
Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway is a National Scenic Byway in Minnesota. Within Minnesota it covers roughly 55 miles. The map below shows its route. Use “Plan a drive” to open it in the Road Sorties route planner — already routing along Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway with scenic roads turned on, ready to add your own stops.
The Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway is a 54-mile National Scenic Byway forming a double loop of paved county roads through Crow Wing and Cass counties in north-central Minnesota. Named for the legendary lumberjack whose giant footprints supposedly gouged out the region's abundant lakes, the byway winds through 14 local jurisdictions past Pelican Lake and the Whitefish Chain of Lakes, both popular for fishing and boating, while the route's broad paved shoulders have made it a favorite for road cycling. The drive combines two threads of local identity: the tall-tale lumberjack lore that gives the byway its name, and the smaller family-resort towns of Pequot Lakes, Pine River, and Crosslake, which mix boutiques and galleries with lake access. Open year-round, the loop draws golfers and day-trippers in summer and cross-country skiers once the snow arrives. It's a compact, resort-town alternative to Minnesota's more remote wilderness byways farther north.
- 54-mile double loop, Crow Wing & Cass counties
- National Scenic Byway
- Pelican Lake & Whitefish Chain of Lakes
- Pequot Lakes, Pine River, Crosslake resort towns
- broad paved shoulders for road cycling
Designated for its recreational qualities
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Places to stop along Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway
Pequot Lakes Fire Tower
A historic fire lookout on the National Register that you can climb for a view across the lake country.
Veterans Hiking Trail
A wooded trail with interpretive panels on a major forest fire and the replanting that followed.
Uppgaard Wildlife Management Area
A small preserve with trails, overlook benches, and wildlife viewing blinds.
Cross Lake Historic Log Village
Some of Crosslake's oldest log buildings gathered beside the dam, with a self-guided audio tour.
Whitefish Chain of Lakes
A chain of 14 connected lakes, among Minnesota's most popular for boating and fishing, threaded by the byway.
Where to Stay along Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway
2 campgrounds and RV parks sit within about 5 miles of Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway.
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Photos of Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway
What is a National Scenic Byway?
National Scenic Byways are roads recognized at the federal level for at least one outstanding quality — scenic, natural, historic, cultural, archaeological or recreational — that gives travelers a reason to seek them out rather than just pass through.