Crosslake is a popular lakefront destination in Minnesota
Minnesota is known for two things: lakes and cold weather. Crosslake has plenty of both, and makes the most of them. This active community nestled among the pine trees and waterways of north-central Minnesota offers a year-round recreational retreat. It’s such a popular destination that the population of about 2,500 can swell to around 15,000 during the summer months, as visitors and seasonal residents join locals in an array of waterfront recreation and community events. “About 80 or 90 percent of the properties we sell are second or third homes, folks looking to get out of the city,” says Brandon Pederson of Northland Sotheby's International Realty, who has sold dozens of homes in the community. “During COVID, we had a lot of people move her full time, but now it’s back to the way it used to be.” When temperatures drop, residents have snowshoeing trails and ice-fishing spots all to themselves, and the community stays active and engaged. “Compared to 20 years ago, it’s booming in the winter,” Pederson adds. “The Chamber of Commerce has done a good job of scheduling events, and there’s always things going on.”
Housing options range "from little cabins to great, big mansions"
The community is surrounded by several of the Whitefish Chain’s lakes, so most of the options offer direct access or proximity to the lakes. Unlike many waterfront communities, the homes span the spectrum of residential offerings. “There’s a wide range, from little cabins to great, big mansions,” Pederson says. The community’s largest and most expensive homes offer exclusive amenities such as beach access and private docks. Wooded settings are also common among the homes, which feature rustic designs but also include traditional architecture and contemporary homes with driveways and attached garages. The median sales price is $600,000. While the summer months offer appealing weather for all the lakefront activities the community offers, spring and fall are truncated by a snowy season that can run from late October into April. The region typically experiences temperatures below zero and several feet of snow.
Easy access to lakefront recreation throughout the year
Cross Lake is the center of activity. However, it provides access to smaller community lakes and the larger Lower Whitefish Lake, which borders the community. This means that residents enjoy enviable access to swimming, fishing, boating and camping. And with so many options, seasonal crowds are not as big an issue as they are made out to be. “I think that gets overplayed,” Pederson says. “Right now, you can get out on the lake in the middle of the week and it’s not that crowded. It’s not a crazy pace.” Cross Lake Recreation Area is a popular gathering place in the heart of the community with beaches, fishing piers, a boat dock and campsites. Crosslake Community Park offers several indoor and outdoor athletic amenities and is anchored by the Crosslake Community Center. Residents can play basketball, baseball, tennis, pickleball and disc golf. Crosswoods Golf Course, a public layout, offers 27 holes of traditional golf. In the winter, ice fishing and snowmobiling are popular pastimes, and residents can rent snowshoes at the community center to traverse the nearby trails.
Waterfront restaurants a highlight of community dining
Dockside dining destinations are popular in and around the community. “The Wharf, Manhattan Beach Lodge and Moonlight Bay are always packed,” Pederson says. “And Riverside Tavern is a fun, new place to go. There’s always restaurants popping up.” Crosslake Town Square anchors the community’s shopping options. The contemporary retail destination offers everything from boutique shops to clothing stores to a pharmacy. It’s also home of the National Loon Center, a non-profit dedicated to protection of the state bird. Town Square is the site of year-round community events, from Sip-N-Shops to holiday celebrations. Town Square recently hosted its first Legacy Gardens Block Party to kick off the summer season, and the gardens are decorated as Whoville each year for the Christmas season. Visitors also have several restaurants from which to choose. Town Square’s businesses, including several restaurants, are heavily involved in the community’s signature event, Winterfest. For more than 20 years, the community has come to life in the dead of winter with three days of indoor and outdoor festivities. More shopping and dining options are concentrated closer to the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway corridor.
Students can attend above-average public schools
Students can attend Pequot Lakes Public Schools, a B-rated district by Niche. Eagle View Elementary is the highest rated of the district’s three schools, earning a B-plus. The middle and high schools earn Bs. All three are located relatively far from the community, about 10-15 miles away.
Travel by bike, snowmobile and car
The community is bikeable when the weather cooperates, and residents can ride snowmobiles to local destinations during the winter. Crosslake has a medical clinic, but Cuyuna Regional Medical Center in Crosby is the closest hospital, about 20 miles away. Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway provides direct access to Brainerd and its amenities, which include Essentia Health-St. Joseph's Medical Center and Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport. Both are about 25 miles away. Nearby Breezy Point has a private airport. Crosslake has its own police and fire departments. “It’s a popular destination, and always has been,” Pederson says. It’s a great place to live and a great place to work.”
Written By
Matt Pallister
