A waterfront retreat in Brainerd Lakes Area

If you’ve lived in Minnesota long enough, you’ve probably heard of or been to the Brainerd Lakes area. This summer hotspot two hours north of the Twin Cities is known for its many family-friendly resorts such as Madden’s, Cragun’s and Grandview Lodge, all on Gull Lake.

We just discovered another destination that’s lesser-known, but appears to be fun and family-friendly too.

Meet Quarterdeck Resort, a 27-acre property with 850 feet of beachfront, on Gull Lake’s western shore south of Sandy Point.

Lakeside Cottage

Its newly renovated rooms and fresh, beachy, modern decor provide a mix of family-friendly and lakefront-chic in the form of lakeside cottages (pictured below), beach-house suites and main lodge suites with private, lake-facing balconies.

Other amenities include a dock with slips for 96 vessels (bring your own boat or you can rent one of the resort’s pontoons), a sandy beach, a swim area (complete with a small play structure), dockside fishing for kids and a new restaurant and bar this summer, Dock 77 Bar and Grill, featuring chef Shawn Lowman.

Learn more at quarterdeckresort.com.

Jake's Patio Bar


Sarah Jackson dreams of a vacation in the Catskills — or northern Minnesota.