17 Fun Things to Do in Walker, MN in 2024
Are you headed up north for a weekend and are looking for the best things to do in Walker, MN? This small, unsuspecting town has plenty to do throughout the year.
Growing up, I visited Walker at least once a month since my family lived in Park Rapids. I spent a lot of time exploring and my favorite stop is Aunt Belle’s Confectionary. I still stop by anytime we drive through Walker.
In this post, we’ll go over the best of the best activities in Walker, MN so that you can have a fun and enjoyable time in the small northern Minnesota town.
Here are my top 3 things to do in Walker that I’ve been doing since I was just little:
- Grab chocolate caramel turtles at Aunt Belle’s Confectionary
- Cruise around Leech Lake on the boat
- Hike on the North Country Trail and bike on the Paul Bunyan State Trail
Things to Do in Walker, MN
1. Shop at the Walker General Store
Right on the main street through Walker, Minnesota Avenue North, you’ll find the adorable and worthwhile Walker General Store.
I love stopping in here and shopping for local goods. There’s everything from Minnesota-themed board games to locally-made jams and jellies to t-shirts.
It’s the perfect place to grab a souvenir from your visit, even if you’re a Minnesota local. Or if you’re searching for gifts for Christmas or birthdays, there are plenty of options.
Even if you aren’t on the hunt for any souvenirs or local products, it’s a lot of fun to just stop in and see what’s new, for some of the best shopping in Walker.
2. Cure Your Sweet Tooth at Aunt Belle’s Confectionary
Making a stop at Aunt Belle’s Confectionary is a must-do when you’re visiting Walker, for their homemade chocolates and sweets. It’s always my favorite stop.
Just one step in the door and you’ll totally understand why I recommend a stop. You can almost smell the goodness from outside!
My personal favorite treats are their chocolate caramel turtles, which I always get at least 3 of to take home for later. I’ve been getting them at Aunt Belle’s since I was 6 years old!
3. Go Fishing on Leech Lake
A popular activity for any time of the year in northern Minnesota is to go fishing, and Leech Lake in Walker is known as one of the best lakes for it.
Whether it’s the middle of summer and you’re cruising out on your boat, or it’s winter and you’re headed lout to do some ice fishing,
My dad, brother, and I have gone fishing on Leech Lake many times, and we’ve always come out with our limit of walleye. It’s a great lake for catching them, as well as other fish like sunnies and bass.
Leech has also become well-known for producing some pretty large muskies, so if that’s what you’re after, this is the place for you.
4. Bike on the Paved Paul Bunyan State Trail
The 115-mile-long Paul Bunyan State Trail, stretches all the way from Crow Wing, near Brainerd, to Bemidji, which is just north of Walker.
The entire trail is paved, making it the longest continuously paved trail in the entire country, and the longest of Minnesota’s state trails.
When I was younger, my family took a day trip from Park Rapids and brought our bikes to ride on the trail. It’s through the forest so is nice and shaded, and it’s a great way to get outdoors.
In the winter, it becomes a groomed snowmobile trail, so you can still get out and take advantage of the outdoors!
5. Play a Few Slots at Northern Lights Casino
The Northern Lights Casino is located just before Walker and is a great place to have some adult fun.
Play at one of their 900 slot machines, enjoy dining at the Northstar Restaurant, or just enjoy a night away in one of their comfortable hotel rooms.
Northstar Casino is also an event center, so occasionally, you’ll find fun events going on, whether it be a concert or a convention of some sort.
6. Rock Out at Moondance Jam
If you love concerts, then you should definitely check out Moondance. It’s a full weekend of live music with popular artists.
In the past, Moondance has seen famous artists such as Bret Michaels, Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Goo Goo Dolls, and Hairball.
While I’ve never been, I have family that goes every year and I know that it’s something that they look forward to all year. They book a campsite and make it an entire weekend. She always comes back exhausted but ready for another year.
7. Take a Day Trip to Park Rapids
Just about 30 minutes away, a day trip, or even just a few hours, spent in Park Rapids is a fantastic way to spend your day.
I spent a lot of time in Park Rapids growing up since my grandparents lived there. Our favorite spot was the Rapid River Logging Camp, where you can get family-style breakfast and dinner at an old logging camp.
We also love visiting Itasca State Park and walking across the headwaters of the Mississippi River. Even just wandering Main Street in Park Rapids is great.
I’d recommend making a stop at either Companeros in Dorset or Rocky’s Pizza House for lunch! These are my two favorite spots!
8. Go Golfing at Long Bow Golf Club
Situated right on the shores of beautiful Leech Lake is the Long Bow Golf Club, where you can spend some time playing a few rounds of golf.
It’s one of the best golf courses in the area and has a driving range as well as a practice green to practice on before heading out.
Long Bow Golf Club is an 18-hole course, and the staff are always there to help when you need them.
9. Visit the Cass County Museum
Are you a history buff looking to find out some of the interesting past of Walker? Head on over to the Cass County Historical Museum.
Here you’ll find historical exhibits from Cass Country, which includes towns such as Walker, Remer, Hackensack, and Pine River.
The goal of the museum is to protect and preserve the knowledge and artifacts from Walker and Cass County’s past.
The cost to enter is really affordable, and they even have a few days of the week that are free!
10. Snowmobile on the Miles of Trails
As soon as winter falls in Minnesota, the trails become filled with snowmobilers, rather than hikers or bikers.
The Heartland State Trail and the Paul Bunyan State Trail are both groomed in the winter months, so you can take your sled out onto them.
Or you can find other local trails and fields like in the Chippewa National Forest. This is my personal favorite type of riding since it’s powdery and I can carve!
If you don’t have your own snowmobile and need to rent one, check out Lakes Area Powersports, where you can rent machines for the day.
11. Visit Itasca State Park
Itasca State Park was Minnesota’s very first state park after opening up in 1891. It’s home to the headwaters of the Mississippi River.
You can walk across the river or spend some time wading in the water, where you’ll likely find lots of little kiddos playing.
I also love stopping at the visitor center which is right near the headwaters to grab ice cream afterwards. Then we usually go hiking on one of the trails.
12. Enjoy Ice Cream at Village Square Ice Cream Parlor
If you’ve had lunch and are ready for a sweet treat, the Village Square Ice Cream Parlor has
It’s found on the main street in Walker, right across from the Walker General Store and next to Aunt Belle’s Confectionary, giving it the perfect location. So you can hit all of them at once.
Or if you haven’t eaten lunch yet, they also have a menu packed with pizzas, so you can grab one of those too.
When I was little, going to get ice cream at Village Square was something we looked forward to all weekend. My grandparents would take us on Sunday before our parents came to pick us up.
13. Spend a Weekend on the Lake
If you have a little more time to spend in Walker, I would recommend booking a stay at Chase on the Lake and spending the weekend there!
It’s a great little resort nestled on the shores of Leech Lake. You can take part in all sorts of activities like fishing, hiking, boating, and watching the sunrise and sunset over the lake.
There’s a spa, a heated indoor pool, on-site restaurant, and it’s even a great spot for kids since there’s a sandy beach to play on while parents relax on the shores.
I stayed here once when I was younger and I remember my favorite part being that I could see the lake from our hotel room. We watched the sunrise right from our room.
14. Go Hiking in the Chippewa National Forest
I love hiking and have found some really great trails in the Chippewa National Forest. I actually visited there last summer and had the whole trail to myself. It was beautiful!
The forest is pretty big and it stretches all over central Minnesota, so some trails are further away but there are also some closer.
The North Country Trail is the one that I hiked on. It’s a really long trail that stretches from North Dakota to Vermont. Part of it goes through Walker, so you can hike some of that!
15. Visit Reeds Family Outdoor Outfitters
Reeds is another place that I always looked forward to visiting as a kid. I’m not sure why, but we just loved to look at all of the kayaks and envision ourselves having our own.
They have everything from fishing poles to kayaks to camping gear to apparel.
Even just a quick walk through Reeds is a fun way to spend a bit of time, exploring all that there is to offer for the outdoors folks.
16. Visit Christmas Point Wild Rice Co.
While the name may be misleading, this large store, with locations in both Baxter and Walker, isn’t just about the holiday season.
Named after the road that the owner’s family used to live on, Christmas Point Road, this family-owned business is a great place to stop in Walker.
They sell hand-porcessed wild rice, homemade fudge, soups, seasonings, and more. They also have some small gifts that you can bring home.
17. Have a Drink at Portage Brewing Company
After a long day of exploring, it’s always nice to sit down with a nice drink and just spend some time relaxing.
At Portage Brewing Company, you can enjoy a few beers from the over 200 that they have brewed since opening. There’s a huge range of options from lagers to IPAs and even non-alcholic drinks for those of us who’d prefer that (like myself!).
I really love that they have a nice outdoor patio space so that during the winter you can enjoy the nice weather.
Where to Stay in Walker
After a long day of exploring, you’ll certainly need somewhere to rest your head for the night. Here are a few of the best places to stay in Walker.
Chase on the Lake
Located right on beautiful Leech Lake, Chase on the Lake is the perfect lodging option in Walker. With a spa, indoor heated pool, on-site restaurant, and access to the lake.
Country Inn Walker
This basic hotel offers nice rooms, a pool, and a great place to rest your head at the end of an exploring day.
Conclusion: Walker, MN Things to Do
If you’re planning a visit to Walker, Minnesota, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find out that there are so many activities to keep you buy.
I spent a lot of time there growing up, and lovd stopping at Aunt Belle’s Confectionary, fishing on Leech Lake, and biking on the Paul Bunyan State Trail.
