Cragun’s Resort and Hotel on Gull Lake

The folks at Cragun’s Resort and Hotel on Gull Lake in Brainerd, Minn., have been welcoming guests with top-notch service, accommodations, and activities since 1940 so you could say they know a thing or two about how to show people a good time.

The resort offers more than 260 accommodation options including deluxe hotel rooms, lakeside cabins, bayview villas, and home rentals. Larger groups can opt for reunion houses or bayview villas. Many of the resort’s units include private balconies, microwaves, wood-burning fireplaces, whirlpool tubs, and wet bars.

An Outdoorsman’s Paradise

With a literal laundry list of activities on hand, it’s little wonder why most resort guests can be found outside most of the time. In addition to 45 championship golf holes at Cragun’s Legacy Courses, a mile-long sandy beach, a marina, and a fitness center, guests can play basketball, go fishing, hiking, biking, waterskiing, swimming in the indoor or outdoor pools or play basketball or tennis.

Cragun’s also provides its guests with a wide selection of restaurants to choose from including the Lakeside Dining Room in the Main Lodge overlooking Steamboat Bay; Irma’s Kitchen which serves steaks, chicken, and seafood; the Legacy Bar & Grille featuring breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus; or the Cabana Café with lighter fare. Before or after dinner, grab drinks in the Bear Trap Lounge which also hosts karaoke on weekends.

Forty-Five Signature Holes

Dutch Legacy: The par-72, 6,879-yard Robert Trent Jones, Jr., Dutch Legacy offers players incredible scenery while playing around Stephens Lake, nicely manicured fairways and greens. The course masterfully blends with nature and is set in a 1,000-acre Audubon Signature Sanctuary. Multiple tee boxes create a challenging yet enjoyable journey.

Bobby’s Legacy: Also set in the Audubon Signature Sanctuary, the par-73, 6,807-yard Bobby’s Legacy, also created by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., presents a challenging test for shot makers. The course features split fairways, wetlands, lakes, and thick woods. Accuracy is a must to score here.

Reversible 9: A unique par-27, 1,365-yard reversible par-3 course where the direction alternates daily.

Cragun’s offers a ton of travel packages including the “Best $600 You Can Spend On Golf” deal which includes: three nights lodging in a Lakeview Fireplace Room, 18 holes with cart on the Dutch Legacy, 18 holes with cart on Bobby’s Legacy, 18 holes with cart on The Classic at Madden’s, 18 holes with cart on Deacon’s Lodge, and breakfast and dinner daily. Rates start at $575 midweek and $645 on weekends (double occupancy).

Buddy Trip Cost

$1000-2500

Travel (by car):

1 hour from St. Cloud, 2 hours from Minneapolis, 6 hours from Winnipeg

Accommodations

Entertainment

Dining

Scorecard

Design

Dutch Legacy: Robert Trent Jones, Jr. (1998)
Bobby’s Legacy: Robert Trent Jones, Jr. (1999)
Reversible 9: Robert Trent Jones, Jr. (2000)

Cragun’s Resort and Hotel on Gull Lake